CSS Solved Islamiat Past Papers | Human Dignity and Greatness in Islam
The following question of Islamiat is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted on the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner asked for an accurate explanation of human dignity and greatness in Islam in this particular question. However, providing a thorough introduction and understanding of Islamic views on human dignity and greatness is essential if you want to do well in Islamic studies. Additionally, the idea of human dignity and greatness in Hijjatul Wida’s sermon will act as icing on the cake.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- Islamic philosophy of human dignity and greatness
3- Human dignity and greatness according to the Quran and Hadith
- ✓Islam gives a Unique status to humans among the creatures
- ✓Islam elevates humanity by prioritizing justice
- ✓Islam uplifts humanity by placing a high value on human life and health
- ✓Islam provides equality for all Humans
- ✓Islam gives freedom of belief to everyone
- ✓Islam encourages Ijtihad, which results in Civic Engagement
- ✓Islam provides a proper right to Inheritance for both Women and Men
4- Human dignity and greatness, according to the sermon of Hijjatul Wida
- ✓The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) final sermon emphasizes human equality and justice
- ✓The beloved Prophet’s farewell sermon promotes the right to life, respect, and justice
- ✓The sermon promotes human dignity by granting legal rights to orphans, minorities, and slaves
- ✓The sermon is an excellent route to economic rights
- ✓The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) final sermon emphasizes Women’s rights and dignity
- ✓The sermon is a perfect road of social responsibility towards other people
5- Critical analysis
6- Conclusion
Introduction
One of the main tenets of Islamic teachings has been human dignity. By considering people to be the most noble of all creatures and man to be God’s vicegerent on earth, Islam has given humanity a unique position. It becomes clear that a person is intrinsically venerable and honourable by nature. Regardless of the motivations or circumstances, no one has the right to degrade, deny, or diminish the respect of any human being. However, Islam affirms that the fundamental value of human dignity is what elevates one’s sense of sacredness. Islam uplifts human dignity and denigrates acts that go against the principles of honour and respect, such as torture, insults, and humiliation. As the Quran states: “And We have definitely preferred the children of Adam over many of those whom We have created, and carried them on land and sea and provided them with good things.” (Al-Isra:70). Not only are human rights based on the fundamental idea of human dignity, but all of the tenets of the divine religions support it as well. In Islam, every person has the same dignity, regardless of gender, caste, or creed.
“Human rights rest on human dignity. The dignity of man is an ideal worth fighting for and worth dying for.”
– Robert C. Maynard.
Islamic philosophy of human dignity
Islam arrived with the message of equality without regard to social class, age, race, or colour centuries before contemporary theories of human dignity were developed. It expressed the Creator’s majesty and wisdom in creating the universe with harmony, cooperation, and coexistence as guiding principles.
“O people, indeed, We created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you”
(Al-Hujrat:13)
Allah commanded humanity not to be suspicious of anyone, even slaves, nor to pry into their personal affairs or emulate their transgressions. In addition, He gave the order to refrain from disparaging them or engaging in backbiting to harm their reputation. Allah compares these social evils to eating the flesh of one’s deceased brother. Rather, He commanded us to eradicate the source of these evils and to guard against these disgusting things. He stated, “According to Al-Ma’rur bin Suwaid’s authority, “I met Abu Dhar, who was wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing the same, so I asked him about the reason. He replied: I insulted a man by cursing his mother, so the Prophet (PBUH) said to me: O Abu Dhar, you still have some characteristics of ignorance. Your slaves are your brothers…” (Bukhari).
Human dignity and greatness according to the Quran and Hadith
Islam as a Deen does not invalidate a person’s innate emotions and impulses. Rather, it teaches us how to deal with or get past them. Humans are social creatures who constantly need to interact with one another, feel like they belong, and work together.
- Islam gives a Unique status to humans among the creatures
Islam strongly emphasizes humanity—the thing that unites all people and human dignity. Nevertheless, the angels are informed that there will be created beings who will serve as vicegerents on earth and be accorded honour. In the Quran, Allah s.w.t. mentioned,
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ وَحَمَلْنَاهُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنَاهُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَفَضَّلْنَاهُمْ عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ مِمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلًا
“And We have certainly honoured the children of Adam and carried them on land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.”
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:70)
The term “descendants of Adam,” which denotes the unity of humanity in the context of human dignity, is used in conjunction with this honour, and it is significant to note that it is not associated with any particular group. For instance, After the creation of man, God commanded all the angels to bow down to Adam in recognition of giving humans a special status among the other creatures. Another place the Holy Quran states is that “Human beings have been inspired by the divine spirit. Therefore their status is unique among the creatures” (38:72). Therefore, honour is bestowed upon people simply by their humanity, not by any particular quality.
- Islam elevates humanity by prioritizing justice
As the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Quran both emphasize, aiding the weak and underprivileged is a constant theme. The Holy Prophet’s primary goal, according to renowned Muslim scholar Dr Fazlur Rahman, was to lessen social and economic injustices that were pervasive in society in order to preserve human dignity.“The sense of justice that Islam encompasses is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam,” said Indian Nightingale Sarojini Naidu in a speech, reflecting on the concept of justice in Islam. “As I read in the Qur’an, I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world,” Naidu said.
- Islam uplifts humanity by placing a high value on human life
Human life and health are highly valued in Islam. It has stated that caring for the sick and disabled is a duty and placed a great deal of emphasis on it. According to the Quran, That is why We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity, and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity. Although our messengers already came to them with clear proof, many of them still transgressed afterwards through the land(al-Maida,32). Similarly, “God has sent down a treatment for every ailment,” according to a hadith. Thus, maintaining good health is essential to the full development of the human being.
- Islam provides equality for all Humans
Islam has given equality to all Humans. Islam opposes all forms of discrimination against people on the basis of their nationality, race, religion, or language. It is never acceptable to use differences in race or religion as an excuse to treat someone badly. This misguided interpretation runs counter to Islamic teachings and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). The Quran contains a verse that is frequently ignored but explains why humanity is divided into “nations and tribes”—that is, to form bonds with one another. According to the Quran,
“O mankind, be careful of your duty to your Lord (Rabb) who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate from them both has spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty (taqwa) toward Allah in whom you claim (your rights) of one another…”.
- Islam gives freedom of belief to everyone
The freedom to choose between truth and falsehood is a fundamental aspect of Islamic belief, as demonstrated by the shari’ah’s unambiguous evidence. Allah declares:
“Let him who pleases believe, and let him who pleases disbelieve; for the truth comes from your Lord.”
In this context, belief refers to a strong conviction about something existing or being true, such as the existence of Allah (God). Something has to win over and penetrate someone’s heart. As Quran says,
.لَآ إِكْرَاهَ فِى ٱلدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشْدُ مِنَ ٱلْغَىِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسْتَمْسَكَ بِٱلْعُرْوَةِ ٱلْوُثْقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood. So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
(2:256)
According to Islamic philosophy, faith or belief is both an internal emotion and a spiritual issue. Consequently, adhering to religious precepts in a superstitious, externalistic sense is insufficient; rather, a believer’s heart needs to be connected to and persuaded of the purpose and goals of religion.
- Islam encourages Ijtihad, which results in Civic Engagement
Since the Prophet was alive, Ijtihad has been practised as he was not the only one to encounter religious and social issues. Islam’s realm grew during the period of the Companions. Due to the blending of diverse cultures and ethnic groups, societal issues also became increasingly diverse. Ijtihad played a crucial role in solving a variety of real-world issues at the time because, in the absence of it, many issues would have an unclear legal status. The hadith and revelation (al-Qur’an) ceased at the same time. Following the death of Rasulullah, a number of well-known friends participated in Ijtihad, including Abu Bakr, Umar bin Khattab, Zaid bin Thabit, Ubay bin Ka’ab, Muaz bin Jabal, Ibn Abbas, and Ibn Mas’ud. Bakr, Umar bin Khattab, Zaid bin Thabit, Ubay bin Ka’ab, Muaz bin Jabal, Ibn Abbas, and Ibn Mas’ud.
According to the scholars, when dealing with prisoners of war from Badar. The Prophet then inquired of Abu Bakr about the status of the prisoners. What should he do in a war? Abu Bakr then voiced his opinion, resulting in the detention of the prisoners of war and not murder in the hopes that Islam might benefit from them. The Prophet then sought the opinion of Umar ibn Khattab, who stated that he believed the prisoner ought to be executed due to the possibility that it would damage Islam. Following that, the Prophet, after giving some thought to the necessary measures, decided to hold the prisoner as Abu Bakr had advised. Then, Surah Anfal verse 67 was brought down by Allah SWT in retaliation for the Prophet’s deeds.
- Islam provides a proper right to Inheritance for both Women and Men
The Prophet (PBUH) urged Muslims to follow divine morals and treat others kindly, just as Allah does for his servants, in a number of hadiths. Surah An-Nisa, chapter four of the Qur’an, titled “The Woman,” contains the majority of these laws. The saying “a woman inherits only half of the man”—that is, half of what she would inherit if she were a man—recurs constantly and on all possible occasions.
- Human dignity and greatness, according to the sermon of Hijjatul Wida
The Holy prophet’s (PBUH) sermon is notable not only for its eloquence but also for the thought-provoking message it holds for humanity as a whole. Its words exude a spirit of fraternity and humanity that transcends differences in people’s racial, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. When it comes to human rights and dignity, the final sermon delivered by the Prophet (PBUH) is a significant and noteworthy piece of writing in human history.
- The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) final sermon emphasizes human equality and justice
The last sermon’s ethical and moral precepts remain the best that the world has been able to establish. Its words exude a spirit of fraternity and humanity that transcends differences in people’s racial, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. It also offers an outline of a social structure free from oppression and injustice that guarantees the Basic Human Rights and Needs for a genuinely free and peacefully developing society. As the Holy Prophet(PBUH)said,
“O People! Just as you regard this month, this day, and this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord and that he will indeed reckon your deeds.” Except for this, he(PBUH) said, “Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember, one day, you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”
- The beloved Prophet’s farewell sermon promotes the right to life, respect, and justice
“O people, every Muslim are the brother of the other Muslim, and all the Muslims form one brotherhood.”
“O humankind, indeed, We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”
- The sermon promotes human dignity by granting legal rights to orphans, minorities, and slaves
The Prophet Muhammad (saw) was particularly concerned about sponsoring orphans. The Prophet (saw) held up his two fingers to demonstrate what he meant when he said, “The one who cares for an orphan and myself will be together in Paradise like this.” Therefore, one doesn’t need to give up all of your wealth, be a member of the Sahabah (Companions), or stand in prayer nonstop in order to be near the Prophet (saw). To achieve this extraordinarily high status, all a person needs to do is sponsor one orphan.
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing should be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.”
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said about slaves,
“And your slaves I see that you feed them with such food as you eat your selves, and clothe them with the same clothes that you, your selves wear.”
- The sermon is an excellent route to economic rights
Holy Prophet(PBUH) aptly said that “Allah has forbidden you to take usury, therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep .You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequality. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas Ibn ‘Aal-Muttalib be waived.” Therefore, the sermon emphasizes the most on equal economic rights.
- The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) final sermon emphasizes Women’s rights and dignity
“O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well never to be unchaste.” The rights of women were extended by the Prophet Muhammad to encompass property, Inheritance, and marriage. At the time, women had few, if any, rights. This was a revolutionary move.
- The sermon is a perfect road of social responsibility towards other people
The importance of social responsibility and justice was emphasized in the final sermon of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet emphasized in his sermon the value of upholding justice in all spheres of life, treating others with kindness and respect, and the rights of individuals.
“A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfil his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection. Whoever screens (humiliates) a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Sahi Bukhari)
Critical analysis
Islam has long held that everyone has the right to human dignity, regardless of who they are. A person is entitled to certain rights and to be treated with dignity and respect just for being themselves. However, a lack of knowledge and emphasis on this understanding has resulted in false beliefs that lead people to believe they are superior to others, regardless of their wealth, sex, race, religion, or other unimportant characteristics. However, Islamic philosophy is the source of the idea of human dignity, which refers to the unbreakable value of all people. Therefore, Islamic teachings are based on the conviction that human life is valuable and occupies a special place in the cosmos.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, Human rights instruments have highlighted that all human rights stem from the inherent dignity of the human person, which is the basis of all human rights. It is best to consider Islam’s contribution to human rights in the context of both contemporary reality and global history. There are still social, racial, gender, and religious disparities. Lower class oppression has been brought about by economic and social inequality; people with darker skin have been subjected to slavery and subjugation due to racial prejudices; women have been burdened by chauvinistic attitudes; and pervasive attitudes of religious superiority have resulted in the widespread persecution of people who hold different beliefs. Thus, in order to get out of this maze of issues, it is imperative that one adhere to the teachings of Islam as revealed in the Quran and the Sunnah. It is evident from the discussion above that each person under Islamic law has rights that are mandated by God for their particular roles as a spouse, parent, child, relative, neighbor, friend, or even enemy. Islam has addressed the social, racial, gender, and sectarian issues ailing our global society through its allocation of rights and responsibilities. Indeed, there is a great deal of room for social and individual reform in the world if the rights and responsibilities model found in Islam is applied to highlight human dignity and greatness.
CSS Solved Islamiyat Past Papers | Human Dignity and Greatness in Islam
The following question of Islamiat is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted on the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
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