Friday Brief: Every Human Being Deserves Honour And Respect

In a world increasingly fractured by religious intolerance and sectarian strife, the teachings of Islam offer a profound and urgent reminder: every human being, regardless of faith, deserves respect. The Quran and Hadith provide clear guidance that respect for fellow humans is not optional but a core religious duty. The Quranic formula for coexistence is remarkably simple yet transformative: “For you your religion, for me mine” (109:6) . This verse establishes the principle of mutual respect as the foundation of a peaceful society. The Quran also declares that God has honoured all human beings, stating in Surah Al-Isra: “We have certainly honoured the children of Adam” (17:70). This honour is not conditional upon religion, race, or status — it is inherent to every human being. Even the dignity of a non-Muslim in a Muslim state is so sacred that the Prophet (PBUH) warned: “Whoever hurts a non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state hurts me, and he who hurts me annoys God”. The Prophet (PBUH) even made a severe declaration: “Someone who unjustly kills a non-Muslim citizen cannot attain a whiff of Heaven”. The most powerful illustration of this principle comes from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). When a Jewish funeral procession passed by, the Prophet (PBUH) stood up out of respect. When his companions reminded him that the deceased was Jewish, he replied: “Was he not a human being?” The Prophet (PBUH) discovered a commonality between himself and that Jew — both were human beings created by God. For him, this commonality was enough to justify respect. This prophetic example teaches us that respect is not owed to people because they share our beliefs, but because they share our humanity. The lesson for us is clear: religious diversity is a fact of life. Following the prophetic example means respecting all people, showing kindness, and living in peace. We must treat every person with decency, remembering that “no difference should be made between people in respect and honour”. This is not merely social etiquette; it is a religious duty that honours God’s creation and fulfils the spirit of Islamic teachings.