Peace Concepts in Islam, Other Faiths and Spiritual Traditions
Peace Concepts in Islam, Other Faiths and Spiritual Traditions
Peace Concepts in Islam, Other Faiths and Spiritual Traditions
101
LESSON 4: RIGHTS
AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
ENABLING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the session, the students are able to;
1. describe the rights and responsibilities of the humankind on
earth in Islam.
2. identify the responsibilities that are connected with the rights
in Islamic perspective; and
3. cite implications of the rights and responsibilities in Islam to
the promotion of peace.
“And you Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that
you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them
attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect ,
nor shout at them in terms of honor. And lower unto them the
wing of submission and humility through mercy and say, “ My
Lord! Bestow on them (my parents) Your mercy as they did bring
me up when I was small.” (Qur’an 17: 23-24)
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS
ONE’S SELF
Man is a far better than the other creatures because he is endowed
with reasoning. Reason, which is an instrument of thinking,
separates man from animals. Animals act on instinct while human
beings act out of reason. Reason is that faculty which allows
human to make judgments as to right and wrong.
The human intelligence will not be realized unless social skills
will be achieved with utmost effort. Whether known or not, many
people are confronting hard social lives due to the weakness of
their social skills. Even intellectual people are aware of this
challenge.
Spiritual skill is another affair that is necessary for man to acquire.
This is dynamic and continuous as man’s faith is either increasing
and improving or diminishing and decreasing. It increases if there
is a constant observation and performance of spiritual skills.
THE NEEDS AND WANTS OF MAN
We must understand that every individual has needs and wants. Man’s
needs are essential which must be readily available so he may live a
comfortable life. Examples of needs are food, shelter and work. Beyond these
needs are considered wants such as having a luxurious house and cars.
Needs and wants are different but complementary concepts . The absence
of man’s needs will make his life degrading and miserable, but the absence of
his wants will not make his life miserable. As a matter of fact man can change
his condition the way of his thinking on how he determine what is good for his
”wants” in life. The self and work are not the only requirement to acquire the
needs and wants of man. He must be intellectually, socially and spiritually
ready.
The needs and wants can also be seen as part of the rights of man. These
are considered foundations of the universal rights in the context of every
individual’s culture, politics, religion and society. Needs must be addressed
primarily and completely so as not to degrade man’s honor. Wants, on the
other, are only secondary to man’s life.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THE
FAMILY
The husband and wife form the foundation of the family. They are obliged to
have a progressive and happy family. They have to help each other and
reciprocate the needs of one another. Their example is like a garment which is
intrinsically good. It is imperative to make the husband as a cover of his wife
and vice versa. This means that they have to support and protect each other at all
times.
This emotional right and responsibility can be experienced on the physical and
social aspects of life. Although the husband is responsible for the maintenance of
the family,. These instances imply the vital justification of inseparability of
rights of every husband and wife and their share of responsibilities.
It is important to note that Islam, although discouraging women to engage in
heavy work to support the family, does not prevent the from working because
they also have the responsibility to make their family life decent and
comfortable. The participation of women in search of sustenance is traceable in
Islamic teaching. In the Philippines, as many families struggle to survive,
working wives have become an imperative and commonplace.
Both tradition and Islam, men are the ones who should provide for his
family. However, the women of today are participating not only in the
corporate world but also in the realm of politics. In the Philippines, majority of
the teachers are women, and around the world, so many women are working.
According to Islamic commandment, husband and wife are the backbones
of the family. They have to be kinds and merciful to one another, supportive of
each other in order to establish a peaceful loving family. Husbands, wives and
children have specific rights and responsibilities. They need to respect, give
way and help one another. Children are obliged to exert their utmost effort for
the success and betterment of the family. Their search for knowledge is their
responsibility and they must be conscious that they are the pillars of the family.
And most importantly, they must be aware about their spiritual and moral
responsibilities in the society. Allah said to this effect:
“Oh you believe! Ward off yourselves and your families from the fire
(hell)” – Qur’an 66:6
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS
FELLOW HUMANS
Man is a social being. Everyone needs one another to be able to sustain one’s
existence. They must utilize manpower, wealth, idea, knowledge, mercy and other
ways to help humanity and therefore build a harmonious and peaceful
community.
Islam introduces three stages and obligations on social life and neighborhood: