Muneeb Nasır
Words that sow divisions; emotional appeals that fuel populism; personal attacks that impute character and indifference that leads to misunderstanding.
More than ever, we are in need of the Golden Rule.
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother – or for his neighbor – what he loves for himself.” (Hadith)
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Christian text)
“What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man.” (Jewish text)
“What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others.” (Confucian text)
This ethic of reciprocity is universally accepted and requires that we have knowledge of the other person and their situation.
We must be able to imagine ourselves in the same position of the other person on the receiving end of our action.
One time, Abu Dharr, the Prophet Muhammad’s companion, requested to be appointed to a position of leadership.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, responded to his request: “O Abu Dharr, I see that you are weak. And I love for you what I love for myself. Never be in charge of two people and never be in charge of the wealth of orphans.”
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, could imagine what it would have been like for Abu Dharr to be placed in a position for which he was not qualified.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, demonstrated the results of this imaginative process and empathy for another person.
Some Muslim scholars* have said that all good manners are derived from four traditions.
The four Prophetic sayings are:
– “Let him who believes in God and the Last Day speak good or keep silent”
– “Part of someone’s being a good Muslim is leaving alone that which does not concern him.”
– “Do not become angry” (the Prophet’s response to a man who sought his advice).
– “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
These are principles of practical ethics:
· Be responsible in speech
· Safeguard personal integrity
· Control your emotions
· Be empathetic to others
The golden rule is more relevant now that at any other time.
When hatred by a small group of people is trying to drive us apart we are to practice this golden rule.
We must recognize that we need each other and to be able to live the golden rule requires that we know each other.
Reference:
*(Imam An-Nawawi, the13th century Muslim scholar and jurist, quotes Imam Al-Khaleel Abu Muhammad Abdullah ibn Abu Zaid, a leading Maliki scholar of his time who said that all good manners are derived from these four traditions).
