The Importance of Communal Harmony in Establishing Peace in Human Society

 

Bangladesh is a shining example of religious freedom and communal harmony; where people of all religions have lived in peace for ages. Bangladesh has been admired as a country of communal harmony for many years, regardless of religion, caste, tribe or community. A bond of brotherhood has developed among all. Everyone, irrespective of religion or creed, jumped into the war of independence of '71 for the independence of the country and shed fresh blood. The Muslims of this country have given shelter to the Hindus in danger and saved their lives. In this country Eid and Puja are celebrated side by side. These two festivals have now become universal festivals. Everyone who has come from abroad has praised our communal harmony. Such instances are rare in the world. Although unpleasant, the miscreants have attacked and vandalized the houses of minorities in different parts of the country. There have also been incidents of deaths. Hindu community places of worship have been attacked. Attacks on minorities are not new in this country. Extremists are attacking them on small pretexts, burning houses.

The importance of communal harmony in establishing peace in human society is immense. Communal harmony develops patience, tolerance, compassion and respect among people. With the sincere efforts of all, the country and the nation ascend to the pinnacle of development. And in one country or society live people of many races, religions, castes, tribes and languages. The spirit of unity, solidarity and cooperation among the people of these communities is communal harmony. Islam is a way of life which has the generosity to build a world society. Islam has not only given religious freedom to non-Muslims, it has given them the opportunity of social partnership, courtesy and fellowship the details of which are as follows: Getting up with non-Muslims-Getting up and talking with non-Muslims is permissible. They are even allowed to sit in the mosque if necessary. When the representative of the Sakif tribe appeared in the court of the Prophet (peace be upon him), they stood near the dome at the end of the mosque. When it was time for prayers, one of the men said, O Messenger of Allah! It is time for prayers. They are a group of non-Muslims, they are in the mosque. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said 'The land is not defiled because of non-Muslims.' (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 8576) * Nabi Karim (sa.)He used to visit non-Muslim patients and invite them to faith. Served them. Anas (ra) said that a Jewish slave used to serve the Prophet (saas). When he fell ill, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went to see him, sat down on his head and told him, "You accept Islam!" Then he looked at his father. The father said, "Follow Abul Qasim, so he converted to Islam." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came out saying, 'Praise be to Allaah, who saved him from Hell.' (Bukhari, Hadith: 1256) Respecting the non-Muslim dead Just as the living have rights, so do the dead. If necessary, they have to cooperate in burial or burial. Because they belong to the best creatures and mankind. Narrated from Abdur Rahman Ibn Abi Layla, Sahl Ibn Hunaif and Qays Ibn Saad were sitting in Qadesia. Then some people passed by them with a janaza. Then the two of them stood up. Then they were told that he was a disbeliever. Then they said, once a janaza was taken beside the Prophet (peace be upon him). Then he stood up. He was told that it was the janaza of a Jew. Then he said, "Is it not an animal (not a human being)?" (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1213) * It is forbidden to kill non-Muslims unjustly. Similarly, those who come to Muslim countries with visas cannot be killed. The security of their lives and property is as essential as that of Muslims. According to the hadith, a person who kills a non-Muslim citizen will not get the fragrance of Paradise, but his fragrance can be found from a distance of 40 years. (Bukhari, Hadith: 3166) * Provisions for non-Muslims to give alms: - The word sadaqa is usually used to mean supererogatory alms. In that sense, giving to any non-Muslim is valid according to the consensus of all scholars. If non-Muslim neighbors are attacked, Muslims should come to their aid if they are in danger.

However, Zakat cannot be given to non-Muslims, one of the economic driving forces of the Islamic State. Only in the case of zakat has the uniqueness of the provision been retained, otherwise any charity, even fitra, can be given to non-Muslims. Notice that here Zakat is paid once a year. If any of the wealthy Muslims need additional wealth of seven and a half loads of gold or fifty-two loads of silver or its equivalent amount of wealth in stock and a full year has elapsed on it, then zakat is obligatory on him. It is to collect 2.5 percent from the wealth of the rich. On the other hand, an indefinite amount of charity can be given to all Muslims and non-Muslims at any time of the year. Apart from the sadaqa, the wealthy can be realized by anyone who is fairly well-off. Non-Muslims also have to face. A non-Muslim can be a neighbor of a Muslim. If one's neighbor or relative is a non-Muslim, the Islamic instruction is to protect the rights of the neighbor or kinship with him. In one verse, Allah says, 'If your parents pressurize you to make someone (in dominion) equal to Me, about whom you have no knowledge (documents and evidence), then do not obey them. But be kind to them in the world. And follow the path of the person who has turned to me alone. Then all of you must come back to me. Then I will inform you of what you used to do. (Surat al-Luqman: 15) Asma bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) said: My mother came to me in the time of the Prophet, when she was a polytheist. Then I asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), my mother has come. He is a non-Muslim (non-Muslim). Will I protect his kinship? He said yes, maintain kinship with him. (Bukhari, Hadith: 2620) The main goal of Islam is the welfare of humanity. Mutual transactions and donations can play a special role in eliminating hostility between Muslims and non-Muslims. There is no alternative to building a friendly society to give a beautiful world to humanity.

Finally, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) warned against those who cause chaos in the name of communalismHe said, "Those who call people to communalism, those who fight for communalism and sacrifice their lives for communalism are not part of our society (Abu Dawood).He urged Muslims to protect their own lives as well as the lives of the minority non-Muslim community. Not only that, but violence against other religions and their places of worship has also been declared haram and unlawful in Islam foreverTherefore, maintaining communal harmony is essential for peace in this world and liberation in the hereafter. Followers of all religions living in the country or society should improve their relations and extend a helping hand and establish peace and stability instead of hatred.


Dr Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed is a Founder of Bangladesh Patient Welfare Society.