Directions of Granting Due Regard to Ranks in Everyday Relations — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 3
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Directions of Granting Due Regard to Ranks in Everyday Relations.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: II – Brief Note on Islamic Equality
Pages: Book pp. 39–40 (PDF pp. 57–58)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Fundamental Perspective on Islamic Equality] | Next: [Complete Equality in Judicial Affairs] »
Historical Account
ْاَنْزِلُوْا النَّاسَ مَنَازِلَھُم
“O Ye Muslims! It is incumbent that you give due regard to the well known ranks of people in your mutual affairs and deal with them in accordance to their circumstances and rank.”
[Sunanu Abī Dawūd, Kitābul-Adab, Bābu Fī Tanzīlin-Nāsi Manāzilahum, Ḥadīth No. 4842]
The purport of this Ḥadīth is that those people who acquire some religious or worldly greatness or rank in everyday affairs, it is a part of Islāmic morality to grant due regard to the rank of such people and deal with them with due respect. For example, there is an occurrence from the life of the Holy Prophetsa when Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādh Anṣārīra, who was the chieftain of the Aus tribe, arrived to pass a verdict in the matter of a Jewish tribe, the Banū Quraiẓah. When the Holy Prophetsa noticed him arriving, he said to his companions:
ْقُوْمُوْا اِلیٰ سَ یِّدِكُم
“Stand in the honour and veneration of your chief.”
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Isti’zān, Bābu Qaulin-Nabiyyisa Qūmū Ilā Sayyidikum, Ḥadīth No. 6262]
Similarly, it is found from the Holy Qur’ān that when God the Exalted sent Prophet Mosesas to Pharaoh with His message, He emphatically instructed Mosesas that since Pharaoh possessed a rank in the country, speak to him in a gentle and respectful manner.
[Ṭā Hā (20:45)]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3)
Section: II – Brief Note on Islamic Equality | Navigation: « Previous: [Fundamental Perspective on Islamic Equality] | Next: [Complete Equality in Judicial Affairs] »