Humanity

The holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “All creatures are [like] a family
of God: and He loves most those who are kindest to His family.”
(Narrated by Anas. Mishkat al-Masabih, 3:1392; quoted from Bukhari.) quran 41;34

Relations of People with other Creations

The above hadith teaches kindness to all creatures, recognizing that, like human beings, they, too,
are among the family of God’s creation. Kindness to animals is highly encouraged in many hadiths:
A prostitute was pardoned who passed by a dog at a well holding out his tongue from thirst which
was near killing him; for she took off her short boot and tied it to her wrapper, and pulled water for
him; so was she forgiven. It was asked, “Shall we then have any reward for (our behavior to) the
animals?” “There are rewards,” said the Prophet, “for (our behavior to) all living beings.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
A woman was sent to the hellfire for (her behavior to) a cat which she had tied up, so that it died of
hunger; for she gave it not to eat, nor untied it, so that it could eat insects and reptiles of the earth.
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Once the Prophet saw a camel which was just skin and bones. He said to the owner of that camel,
“Fear Allah for these speechless animals! Do not let them stay hungry!” (Abu Dawud)

In Islam, hunting animals for mere sport is forbidden:

“If someone kills a sparrow for sport, the sparrow will cry out on the Day of Judgment, ‘O Lord! That
person killed me in vain! He did not kill me for any useful purpose.” (Nisai)
The above hadith also applies to our relationship with nature. The Giver of life is the Supreme Owner
of life and destroying nature for other than necessity is wrong. Man must use nature responsibly and
should avoid wastage. n
(Sheima Salam Sumer is an author and trained counselor. She is the author of How to Be a Happy
Muslim Insha’Allah: and The Basic Values of Islam: Alphabetically Listed with Islamic References.For
more details, see her website: http://howtobeahappymuslim.com/)
The Quran reminds Muslims to be kind to people of other faiths as long as they do not oppress
them on account of their faith and do not drive them out of their homes:
“Allah does not forbid you respecting those who have not made war against you due to (your)
religion, and have not driven you from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with
them justly; surely Allah loves the doers of justice.” (Quran 60:8)
Terrorism is totally against the teachings of Islam. To kill an innocent person is like killing all of
humanity:
“…If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or for corruption (done) in the land, it
would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life
of all mankind”¦ (Quran 5:32)
The Holy Quran teaches that fighting is only permissible in self-defense and must stop if the
enemy desires peace:
“Fight in the Way of God against those who fight you, but do not go beyond the limits. God does
not love those who go beyond the limits.” (Quran 2:190)
“…But if they cease, then let there be no hostility except against those who practice oppression.”
(Quran 2:193)
“But if the enemy inclines towards peace, you (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah…
Even if they intend to deceive you, remember that God is sufficient for you”¦”  (Quran 8:61-62)
The Holy Quran states that all people have the right to choose their religion and that it is God’s
Will that people have different religions.
Islamic Scholar Muhammad Abdel Haleem, author of Understanding the Quran, writes:
“Nowhere in the Quran is changing people’s religion given as a cause for waging war. The
Qur’an gives a clear instruction that there is no compulsion in religion (Quran 2:256). It states
that people will remain different (Quran 11:118), they will always have different religions and
ways and this is an unalterable fact (Quran5:48) ““ God tells the Prophet that most people will not
believe ‘even if you are eager that they should’ (Quran 12:103).”
Responding to Prejudice: Relevance of This hadith
‘Islamophobia’ is prejudice and discrimination towards Muslims due to their religion. The above
hadith encourages kindness as a means to please God. Therefore, kindness is the primary
solution for ‘Islamophobia’ and the best way to build good relations between Muslims and people
of other faiths. The Holy Quran states:
“Good and evil deeds are not alike. Repel evil with good, and he who is your enemy will become
your dearest friend.” (Quran 41:34)
Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid reminds us how the Prophet (peace be upon him) responded to ill-
treatment:
“Remember the Prophet. The Prophet was subject to horrible insults and hate crimes in his
lifetime. He remained steadfast, patient and tolerant in the face of this Islamophobia. We must
model this same behavior.”
Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid recommends kindness to neighbors as a solution:
“Instead of a term of distance like “Non-Muslims”, use a term of relationship like “neighbors” 
when referring to our neighbors. The Prophet said, “Jibril kept recommending treating neighbors
with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance to the neighbors.” (Bukhari
and Muslim). Given this level of familiarity and closeness we should have with our neighbors, it is
amazing the way we keep ignoring them, especially in neighborhoods with large, vibrant
mosques and Islamic centers.”

slavery, has always been a problem . If the tribal

people had won the conflict, the victorious nation
would have enslaved the defeated nation's men and
women. Slaves included not just strong men, but also
crippled, elderly, and female slaves. People had
slaves for years and they were sold.

Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good,

and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor

farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom

your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-

deluding and boastful. Quran 4 :36