#Article (Archive)

THE ISLAMIC CENTER FOR HARMONIZATION OF SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT (ICFH)

Jan 16, 2009, 5:10 AM | Article By: Alh. Ousman M Jah, Founder and Secretary General

The Almighty Allah (Subhanahu Wa Talla) has created the universe in a very critical manner. He made it in categories and classes. Each has some ties that link it to another. These categories are different in terms of classes but in whole, they were created for one purpose. That is unity and servitude. All relations between these different categories should be centered on that purpose regardless of the nature of these differences.

Today I would focus on the human being as my topic of discussion. Man is the most important creation and most honoured being on earth, this is because Allah created and blessed him with two important elements that only he (man) possess. These are the Mind to reason and know what is good and bad and the other, is the free - will to decide and do, as he feels right.

There exist no creation of Allah including Ginn and the Angels that posses these virtues. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

 "And indeed we have honored the children of Adam and carried them on land and sea, and have provided them with At-tayyibat (lawful good things), and have preferred them to many of those whom we have created with a marked preferment". (Quran 17:70)

In that case, mankind is the master of the universe and the representatives of Allah in governing the earth. According to Quran 2:30

 "And (remember) when your lord said to the Angels: "verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth". They said: "will you place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, while we glorify you with praises and thank and sanctify you". He (Allah) said: "I know that which you do not know".

This is exactly what is happening on Earth today. The basis of human relations is humanity. So in any human interaction humanity should come first. This simply means that any human being on Earth should be accorded life, shelter, and freedom etc. And all the other basic necessities that have already being given to him by Allah on the basis of Humanity.

On these bases if any individual, group, organization or country deprives an individual or group of these rights, that person should be put to the right path or disciplined.

There exist many national and international organizations that were formed on the basis of preserving humanity and the above mentioned Rights of the human Being including those of minorities despite their geographical location, religion, color, or ethnicity. Organizations like the United Nations Security Council; the International Human Rights organizations are meant to serve this purpose.

What was expected of such organizations was in case of the violation of these rights of any group, individual or country by another they will intervene and secure justice and put a stop to any violence against humanity.

It is almost a month now when one of the most powerful army of Israel, in terms of weapon and well trained soldiers are using the most advanced weapons on a nation that is weak in weapon and defense. Depriving them of basic human necessities like food, shelter, electricity and security etc. Killing and injuring thousands of innocent women and children, including the old and infirm. Demolishing all properties mosques, houses, and agriculture etc.

What is happening in Gaza today cannot be endured by even animals not to mention human beings. I ask the following questions:

1. Why is there a difference in the way the international community and United Nations deals with Nations and their problems?

2. Why has none of the super power nations that claim to preserve Human Rights not truly condemned the Israeli offensive in Gaza? Instead some of these countries are giving Israel the right to do what it's doing calling it self-defence? Self defense from what and who? Is it from some body whose land is occupied and who is resisting to secure his right?

3. I am not surprised by these, what surprises me most is the stance of the Arab Nations whose relation to Palestine is geographical (neighborhood), blood ties, religious and other ties. Why do they keep this silence? The situation is critical and difficult to fathom.

 What is happening will continue to happen regardless of any resolution that may be taken by the UN today or tomorrow because some countries are above the law. The whole world, Mankind is watching and nothing will happen to stop it just because our world resembles that of the life of the fish in water, the powerful will triumph over the weak, justice is gone. And every weak individual, group or nation must look forward to such a treatment someday.

This is the justification of the need for Islamic Unity, since unity of humanity which is the basis of human existence cannot be achieved.