Photo: Collected
It is often seen in our society that people are judged by their outward glitter, clothing, wealth or rank and title. Even at any ceremony, while receiving a service or while shopping, someone is given priority on the basis of these things. Yet Islam has strongly discouraged this kind of tendency. Almighty Allah has determined the basis of human dignity.
In the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah has said, ‘O mankind, I have created you from a male and a female and divided you into different nations and tribes so that you may know one another. The most honoured among you in the sight of Allah is the one who is the most God-fearing among you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.’ (Surah Hujurat, verse 13)
This verse makes it clear that the measure of human dignity is taqwa, not wealth or outward appearance.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘O people! Listen, your Lord is one, your father is one. Listen, an Arab has no superiority or honour over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab, nor a white person over a black person, nor a black person over a white person. Superiority and honour exist only because of taqwa.’ (Musnad Ahmad)
It is often seen in today’s society that people are given special respect if they have expensive clothes, branded shoes, luxurious cars or high status.
Yet an honest, God-fearing person who wears ordinary clothes is not given much importance. Again, in many cases, conversely, someone is undervalued because of Islamic dress or religious identity. If someone wears a cap, panjabi or beard, or observes Shariah-compliant purdah, he is considered ‘backdated’, ‘less modern’ or ‘unfit’. Yet in reality he may be highly educated, the holder of a high position or a person who makes an important contribution to society. Islam has rejected both these kinds of mentality.
Because just as it is wrong to judge people by outward style or clothing, it is also a grave injustice to belittle someone for obeying the commands of Allah; sometimes it is even a threat to faith.
In the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah has said, ‘O believers, let no people ridicule another people; it may be that they are better than those who ridicule. Nor let any women ridicule other women; it may be that they are better than those who ridicule. And do not defame one another, nor call one another by offensive nicknames. How evil is a bad name after faith! And those who do not repent, they are indeed the wrongdoers.’ (Surah Hujurat, verse 11)
That is, the one whom people consider ordinary on seeing his clothing, social position or outward appearance may be the one who is more honoured in the sight of Allah. In worldly terms too, he may in reality be a very great personality. Again, if a great personality is knowingly disdained merely for wearing Islamic dress and observing Islamic customs, or is tactfully insulted or deprived of his due rights, that can put faith under threat too. Because there it is not the person but rather Islam that is disdained. The Holy Quran says in this regard, ‘And if you question them, they will surely say, we were only talking idly and jesting. Say, was it Allah, His verses and His Messenger that you were ridiculing? Make no excuses now; you have disbelieved after having believed. Even if I pardon some of you, I will surely punish others, because they were criminals.’ (Surah Tawbah, verses 65-66)
Again, there is no scope to disdain or belittle anyone for having less wealth. The Quraysh leaders wanted the Prophet (PBUH) to push the poor companions away and hold separate meetings with their elite people; but Almighty Allah did not like that, rather He revealed a verse stressing that their unjust demand should not be met. The Holy Quran says, ‘And do not drive away those who worship their Lord morning and evening, seeking only His pleasure through it. You are not accountable for anything of their reckoning, nor are they accountable for anything of your reckoning. If you still drive them away, you will be counted among the wrongdoers.’ (Surah Anam, verse 52)
Therefore, in providing service, the consideration is not rich or poor; rather, priority must be given to the one whose right it is. In giving importance to someone at family functions or among relatives and friends, others must not be belittled by giving precedence to wealth and outward attire. Nor is it acceptable to undervalue anyone merely for wearing religious dress or for their Islamic identity.
It must be remembered that a person’s dignity has to be determined on the basis of his character, trustworthiness, piety, humanity and taqwa. Because money, power, rank and title, fashion and outward beauty are all transient. But it is taqwa and righteous deeds that determine a person’s true dignity, both in this world and in the hereafter.
