OCTOBER 19

Religion of Humanity

Abu Dharr Ghefari was a well known companion of the Prophet. He died in Rabza in 32 A.H. in Madinah. A long hadith narrated by him is recorded in Tafsir ibn Kathir, a part of the hadith is as follows.

“When I entered the mosque, I saw that the Prophet was seated alone. I sat beside him. Then I asked, ‘O Messenger of God, who is most superior of the believers?’ The Prophet said: ‘One whose moral behaviour is best.’ Then I asked, ‘O Messenger of God, who is the best Muslim?’ The Prophet said, ‘From whose tongue and hands people are safe.’ Then I asked, ‘O Messenger of God, which is the best emigration?’ The Prophet said, ‘One whose emigration leads him to shun all evils.’ (1/586)

This tradition of the Prophet tells us which types of human beings are held up as models by Islam i.e. such individuals as prove to be of the best moral character in their dealings with others. It is those in whom the sense of responsibility is so awakened that their tongues do not hurt anyone, and their hands do not harm anyone. It is those who have abandoned all such habits and ways in which there is any trace of evil.

In truth, a good Muslim is one who is a good human being. Islam in actual fact is a religion of man-making. The goal of Islam is man’s intellectual purification and practical reform. When Islam enters the heart of a person, he will become a good human being on his own.

A person whose life is devoid of goodness can make no claim to being a true Muslim.