Universality is a characteristic of Islamic civilization

Universality is a characteristic of Islamic civilization

Introduction

Every civilization has its unique characteristics, which it represents. As the ancient Greek civilization was characterized by glorifying the mind, the Roman civilization was characterized by glorifying power and influence, the Persian civilization was characterized by interest in body desires, military power and political domination, the Indian civilization was characterized by being proud of spiritual power, the Islamic civilization had its unique characteristics that are different from those of former and subsequent civilizations. The Islamic civilization was based on a divine message, namely the message of Islam, which is characterized by humanity, universality and belief in monotheism.

First: Universality

The Islamic civilization is characterized by its wide horizon and universal message. This is clarified in the Noble Qur'an when it declared the unity of the mankind, despite the diversity of races, origins and places. Allah (be He Exalted) says:}  O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things){ [Al-Hujurat:13 [The Qur'an made the Islamic civilization like a necklace organized by the geniuses of all peoples and nations, above which the banner of the Islamic conquests hovered.[1]

The Islamic civilization is human in terms of tendency and universal in terms of prospects and extensions. It is not linked to a geographical territory, a human race, or a historical phase, but it contains all nations and peoples. Its implications are directed for various spots and places. It is a shade for all human beings, and everyone who gets its giving enjoys its warmth. This is because it was based on the fact that man is the most important and the most honored creature; everything in the universe is geared to him; all human activities must lead to his happiness and prosperity; and that every action intended to achieve this end is a human work in the first place.

The quality of universality consolidates and establishes the values of right, goodness, justice and equality among all people, regardless of their colors or races. It does not believe in the theory of racial superiority or arrogance. So, the Prophet's message was mercy to all creatures. Addressing His Messenger, Allah says: {We sent thee not but as a mercy for all creatures} [Prophets: 107], and He (be he exalted) says in another verse: {We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to people} [Saba: 28]. So, the message of Islamic civilization was universal, where every race, color and language participate in achieving it.

The Prophet's sayings and stances complied with that Qur'anic theory. Jabir ibn Abdullah Al-Ansari narrated: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "I have been given five things which were not given to any one else before me. Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind…"[2]

Prophet Muhammad's traditions and deeds applied the principle of universality of the message. See what he (peace be upon him) said to his people: "An apostle does not lie to his people. By Allah, if I lie to all people, I never lie to you, and if I deceive people, I never deceive you. By Allah, the only one God, I'm the messenger of Allah to you in particular and to all people in general…"[3] He (peace be upon him) declared the principle of universality since the first day of his call.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also sent his messengers to Caesar of Romans; Khosrau of Persians; Al-Muqawqis, the ruler of Egyptian Copts; and the king of Habashah (Ethiopia). This is Prophet Muhammad's letter to Khosrau: "In the name of Allah, the most compassionate, the most merciful. (This letter is) from Muhammad the messenger of Allah to Khosrau the ruler of Persia. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path and witnesses that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the slave and prophet of Allah. Furthermore, I invite you to the call of Allah for I am the Allah's messenger to all mankind to warn whomever is living and that the saying may come true against the disbelievers. If you become a Muslim you will be safe and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Persians. [4]"

 

This is the first characteristic of Islamic civilization. It is a unique characteristic that does not exist in other civilizations. So, the Islamic civilization has truly become a noble and universal civilization.

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[1]  Mustafa Al-Siba'i: Min Rawa'i Hadaratina (Wonders of our civilization), page 36.

 

  [2] Al-Bukhari: Kitab Al-Tayammum (Book of Rubbing hands and feet with dust) (328) , Muslim: Kitab Al-Masajid wa Mawadi Al-Salah (Book of mosques and places of prayers) (521).

  [3]Ali ibn Burhan-al-Din Al-Halabi: Al-Sirah Al-Halabiyah 2/114, Al-Salihi: Subul Al-Huda wal Rashad (paths of guidance) 2/322, and Ibn Al-Athir: Al-Kamil fi Al-Tarikh 1/585.

[4] Al-Tabari: Tarikh Al-Umam wal Muluk (History of nations and kings) 2/132, Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi: Tarikh Baghdad (History of Baghdad) 1/132, and Al-Mutaqi Al-Hindi: Kanz Al-Ummal (Treasury of workers) (11302).

Now days we as Muslims have to spread the voice to learn quran online and so we could gain the true knowledge and the quran teaching that is give to us by our beloved prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and do quran reading. Do we as Muslim ask our self that why we are at the peak of destruction? The answer will be simple that we have left our roots the holy quran we should guide promote Islam from in our homes first and let learn our kids quran  and encourage them in doing quran memorization this should be our first goal for it we can do different stuff like let then participate in different online quran recitation competition to let them read quran from different online quran reciters and along with it we elders should learn quran also and improve our knowledge of quran and Islam and learn holy quran tafseer because to understand and learn quran Arabic and for this now a days there are many online quran tutor available who teach tajweed quran and its translation and tafseer so let us join our hands to be the voice of Islam and let improve the image of it as well and full fill our duty