Living The Quran
From Issue: 583 [Read full issue]
Pillars of Healthy Social Life
Al-Nisa (The Women) Sura 4: Verse 114 (partial)
"There is no good in most of their secret talks, except in him who commands charity, enjoins good and brings about conciliation among mankind."
These are the three pillars to a healthy social life - charity, goodness and peace.
Unless people demonstrate sympathy for others in the form of giving charity and sacrificing their selfish interests, they cannot have good social relations. Without charity, mutual love is all dried up. Charity does not always mean giving money. Talking gently to someone and sharing their joys and sorrows also constitute charity. Cleaning the road of obstacles represents its spirit as well. The Quran employs a comprehensive term, charity, of which there are numerous forms. What is important is a feeling of sympathy, goodwill, sincerity and helpfulness. Without such noble feelings, no healthy social life is possible.
Another equally significant Quranic concept is that of enjoining good. This stands for promoting something which is instinctively acceptable for all decent human beings.
The other Quranic directive is of bringing about reconciliation among people. Cordial social relations are the key to happiness.
Today these values are neglected. Divisive forces are dominant everywhere.
Compiled From:
"Guidance from the Holy Quran" - Sayyid Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, pp. 110, 111