"Social equality is the most difficult type to achieve in practice. Since economic and political equality are the preludes to social equality, the latter has not yet been accomplished. It cannot be achieved in the future except by hard work , discipline, education , correction, and change of what is almost natural in human behavior . It will represent the peak of civilization when man moves away from his base animal drives and develops a superior moral character. The law of the jungle --the law of violence and oppressive force--will then be replaced by the law of justice, truth, compassion--thereby improving the quality of human relations. Consensus will replace force, justice exploitation, freedom oppression, and intelligent community awareness selfish individual drives.
"The object of social equality, as in the case of economic equality, is the individual... the individual is the object of all social endeavor, through the means of Islam and the Qur'an. Society is also another method, being the best method yet devised by humanity. The individual who is the object of all means is the individual human being as such. Not even the lowest human being should be made a means to another end. This is why there should be no discrimination on the grounds of birth, race, faith, or sex. God says in this connection: 'O mankind , We have created you from a male and female; and We have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily the most honorable among you, in the sight of God, is one who is the most righteous among you. Surely , God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.' (49:13) ...
"Absence of social discrimination against the weak and removal of distinctions between individuals and classes are the true signs of civilization. A society which safeguards the rights of the weak, respects their dignity, secures freedom and honor for women, protects children, and is considerate , merciful , and loving to them, is truly a civilized and advanced society....
"In conclusion, we repeat that religion has a pyramid shape, the peak being with God at infinity, and the base with humanity: 'Religion with God is Islam. (6:19) In the past, religion has been lowered from its peak down to the level of human needs and capabilities, in the form of Shari'a. The peak of the pyramid will remain forever beyond our reach. As individuals each one will continue to develop in his understanding of religion, through knowledge of the material world and of ourselves. God says: 'We shall show them Our signs in the material world and within themselves until it becomes manifest to them that He is the Truth. Is your Lord not sufficient witness upon everything?' (41:53) He also says: 'They learn nothing of His knowledge except what he wishes them to learn.' (2:255) God wishes us to have more of His knowledge every moment. He says: 'Everyday He [reveals Himself] in a fresh state.' (55:29) in other words, He is always revealing Himself to His creation so that they may know Him. He is the one who is teaching us . He says: And make no haste to recite the Qur'an until its revelation is completed unto you , but only say, Lord, bestow on me increase of knowledge.' (20:114) Such additional knowledge is in fact higher ascent from the base of the pyramid of Islam to its peak in continuous evolution. As man develops in understanding of religion, he evolves his Shari'a in accordance with his needs and capabilities , which are increasingly refined and purified ."
P.161-162, 165, THE SECOND MESSAGE OF ISLAM by Mahmoud Mohamed Taha (1996)
Thursday, February 23, 2017
THE SECOND MESSAGE OF ISLAM, EXCERPT
"Social equality is the most difficult type to achieve in practice. Since economic and political equality are the preludes to social equality, the latter has not yet been accomplished. It cannot be achieved in the future except by hard work , discipline, education , correction, and change of what is almost natural in human behavior . It will represent the peak of civilization when man moves away from his base animal drives and develops a superior moral character. The law of the jungle --the law of violence and oppressive force--will then be replaced by the law of justice, truth, compassion--thereby improving the quality of human relations. Consensus will replace force, justice exploitation, freedom oppression, and intelligent community awareness selfish individual drives.
"The object of social equality, as in the case of economic equality, is the individual... the individual is the object of all social endeavor, through the means of Islam and the Qur'an. Society is also another method, being the best method yet devised by humanity. The individual who is the object of all means is the individual human being as such. Not even the lowest human being should be made a means to another end. This is why there should be no discrimination on the grounds of birth, race, faith, or sex. God says in this connection: 'O mankind , We have created you from a male and female; and We have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily the most honorable among you, in the sight of God, is one who is the most righteous among you. Surely , God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.' (49:13) ...
"Absence of social discrimination against the weak and removal of distinctions between individuals and classes are the true signs of civilization. A society which safeguards the rights of the weak, respects their dignity, secures freedom and honor for women, protects children, and is considerate , merciful , and loving to them, is truly a civilized and advanced society....
"In conclusion, we repeat that religion has a pyramid shape, the peak being with God at infinity, and the base with humanity: 'Religion with God is Islam. (6:19) In the past, religion has been lowered from its peak down to the level of human needs and capabilities, in the form of Shari'a. The peak of the pyramid will remain forever beyond our reach. As individuals each one will continue to develop in his understanding of religion, through knowledge of the material world and of ourselves. God says: 'We shall show them Our signs in the material world and within themselves until it becomes manifest to them that He is the Truth. Is your Lord not sufficient witness upon everything?' (41:53) He also says: 'They learn nothing of His knowledge except what he wishes them to learn.' (2:255) God wishes us to have more of His knowledge every moment. He says: 'Everyday He [reveals Himself] in a fresh state.' (55:29) in other words, He is always revealing Himself to His creation so that they may know Him. He is the one who is teaching us . He says: And make no haste to recite the Qur'an until its revelation is completed unto you , but only say, Lord, bestow on me increase of knowledge.' (20:114) Such additional knowledge is in fact higher ascent from the base of the pyramid of Islam to its peak in continuous evolution. As man develops in understanding of religion, he evolves his Shari'a in accordance with his needs and capabilities , which are increasingly refined and purified ."
P.161-162, 165, THE SECOND MESSAGE OF ISLAM by Mahmoud Mohamed Taha (1996)