The seven social teachings

October 17, 2004 (2 Ramadan 1425) Islamic Institute of Theology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Introduction: This lecture deals with seven social teachings which the Prophet of Islam (S) has mentioned in his sermon about the holy month of Ramadan. 1. Proper interaction with elders and youths

Respect your elders and be kind and compassionate to children and youths The qualities of being old and young are relative. Generally one is referred to as an elder when his age is above forty and those who have not reached puberty are called young. The noble traditions have repeatedly spoken about respect and appreciation the aged, elders and those whose hair has turned white. It is related from the Messenger of God that he said, Every morning and night God looks at the face of an old believer and says, My servant, your age has increased, your bones have become weak, your skin has softened, your death has come near and the time for you to return to Me has arrived. Thus be ashamed of Me because I have shame before your white hair to punish you. Again, it is related from the Prophet that he said, Whoever respects a person with a white beard (elder) because of his old age, God will secure him from the fears of the Day of Judgment. Similarly, there are various noble traditions about kindness and compassion to children, youths and adolescents. The attention that the Prophet and the Imams gave to them was at a high level. They used place children on their shoulders; they would play with them and greeted them. They used to speak to them and explained matters to them with favor and kindness. They used to speak to them like adults. It is narrated in a noble tradition, Take kind interest in children because they are close to every good thing. In another tradition it states, Verily, God takes pride and honor before the angels because of a young believer. Despite this it must unfortunately be said that many Muslims do not give importance to the Islamic training of their children. Or that they do not know the principles of Islamic teaching and training. Also some religious individuals regrettably become uncomfortable with the coming of children to the masjids and religious gatherings, instead of making striving to teach them and make them familiar with the Islamic duties, characteristics and teachings. 2. Making life easier for those underneath ones authority

And whoever lightens the work load of his slaves, God will make his reckoning easy on the Day of Judgment. The phenomenon of slavery was normal in all societies during the start of the Prophets mission. Islam by prohibiting the customary sources of attaining slaves and restricting it to prisoners of war, and that only when the just ruler deemed fit, solved this problem. In addition, Islam has a precise program of numerous legislated laws for freeing slaves. Islam has made good interaction with those slaves who are not included in the rules of freedom an obligation. This command and teaching of the Prophet is regarding such slaves. Some of those who have been affected by Western uncertainties have objected to the principle of Islam accepting the right to take possession of prisoners of war, with the fact that this right is in the hand of the just ruler to do what he deems fit. They forget the Western tyrants and how they enslaved their own people and other weaker nations. The forces that exploit workers, employees and especially women and suppress people are far more than those that still have slaves. Whats more is that Islam combats these organizations also. At present Muslims do not have slaves. But this command of the Prophet turns our attention to making life easier for those who are under our hands such as spouses, children, workers, employees, students and the like. Generally a negative psychological state overtakes a person when dealing with those underneath him and under his authority. This state prevents mental calmness, and brings about such behaviors as giving rude orders to do or not to, pride and arrogance, viewing them as hideous and other such negative conduct. It is befitting that a Muslim takes advantage of this blessed month and begins a new way of dealing with and treating those beneath him. It is impossible that this command will not change that psychological state and the routine of talking and other actions that take place while dealing with them. A Muslim in his dealings with his wife and children can be victim to two types of mistakes. First, the mistake of trying to hard to take care of them in such a way that leads to disobeying God and leads him away from the path of Islam. And makes a person a part of the group about whom God says,

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O you who believe, some of your wives and children are your enemies therefore keep away from them (64:14). And secondly, they go towards repulsiveness, rudeness and oppression when dealing with them. Both ways are seriously dangerous for a Muslims religion and defeating them is considered a great victory and success.

3. Family ties

Whoever keeps his family ties in this month, God will connect His mercy to him on the Day of Judgment. And whoever cuts his ties with his relatives God will cut him from His mercy on the Day of Judgment. The word arhaam refers to family members that have genealogical ties with one, such as grandparents, paternal and maternal uncles and aunts and their children. Despite the fact that Islam is the flag bearer for relations based on faith and ideology, and does not see national, genealogical, regional and other types of relations as an official pillar of society, however, it does emphasize having positive relations among human groups such as households, relatives, clans, neighbors and people of ones town or city. Obviously, this must be done within the frameworks and limits of Islam. In other words, it must be in the framework of Islamic beliefs and in service to it. Thus, having family ties and visiting ones relatives is one of the most important duties and obligations of Islam and not visiting ones relatives is one of the greatest sins. Obligatory family ties are based on common law and are upheld when it is said these relatives have relations with each other and are not separated. The state of family ties differs based on social, personal and residential conditions. Maintaining family relations is possible by visitations, joining family gatherings, serving ones relatives, providing for their needs, helping out in their hardships, feeling their pains, and beyond this, giving gifts, sending letters, talking on the telephone and the like. It is obligatory for every Muslim to maintain family ties and visit his relatives, even if they do not visit him. It is related in a noble tradition, The rights of relatives are not severed for any reason, even if they are unbelievers. Except if they combat you in religion. Opposition in religion is when one of your relatives views you as an enemy because you have chosen the correct path of Islam. For instance, whoever opposes the path of the Islam in word or action and you do not have hope to guide him, then it is permissible to cut your ties with him. If you fear that he may have an effect on you with his arguments that you may be unaware of and by his devilry, then it is better for you not to interact with him. There are a good amount of traditions that clearly explain that having family ties is the cause of increase in life and sustenance. It is related in a tradition, The parts of a family are of the good, thus if they cut ties and do not visit each other, their lives well be shortened and their home will be ruined. It is appropriate that every Muslim takes advantage of this blessed month and goes to visit his relatives, even if this action is burdensome for him and they have done a great deal of bad to him. There is no harm for him to visit them and be kind to them and to tell them that he is doing so in order to carryout the command of God and His Prophet.

4. Kindness to orphans The Holy Prophet has stated in this sermon about the great responsibility that society has towards orphans,

Be kind to peoples orphans so that they are kind to your orphans. Then he adds,

Whoever honors an orphan in this month, God will honor him on the Day of Judgment. Looking after orphans is an Islamic obligation for the orphans protector, the Islamic government and the Muslims in general and has been greatly emphasized. Every fathers son can become orphaned and the Prophet of God has stated this matter, which has also been pointed to in the following verse,

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Those who leave weak children behind and fear (that they may become orphans must turn their attention to the orphans). (4:9) Kindness and endowment to orphans has several forms. For example, a person can take the responsibility of the sustenance and expenditures of a family, or find work for those who are able to work, or to help a person or an organization that looks after orphans. Spiritual support, encouraging people to be kind and honor orphans and to remove their problems is also another form. 5. Providing iftr for a fasting person

O people, whoever of you gives provides breakfast to a fasting believer, the reward is as if he freed a slave and the forgiveness of his previous sins. It is not burdensome and difficult for God give this reward to a believer who has invited his believing brother for iftr. We should also keep in mind the fact that the financial state of our time is much better than that of the Prophets time, thus, providing iftr for one person during that time is equal to providing for ten or more people now. Just as giving a material gift to a believer has a great reward, so to does giving a spiritual one. Loving and caring for a believer, smiling in his presence, talking to him, listening to him, shaking hands, tolerating and being patient with him, inviting him to eat,

answering his invitation and other such matters brings about a great deal of reward from God for a person. Every believer cannot invite his brothers for iftr. This lack of ability could be because of financial reasons, having a small house or family reasons. Therefore, its appropriate to have piety and even if this iftr is with a piece of date or a glass of water [we should graciously accept it or provide it] and this is the Prophets command. A Muslim can give some sweets or a piece of fruit to his believing brother for iftr. Or he can take him to the masjid so he can break his fast among the other people who are fasting. It has been related that some of the Muslims based on their agreement with the Messenger of God used to bring whatever they had ready to the Prophets Masjid and layout the tablecloth and break their fast there. 6. Charity

And give charity to your needy and poor people. Sadaqah is an Islamic term which includes the obligatory zakat and recommended charities. Maybe the choice to name these acts sadaqah was due to the reason that it is confirmation (tasdeeq) of the hereafter and faith in it. Also, sadaqah is not acceptable without true (sadiq) and pure intentions for God. Apparently, the sadaqah that the Prophet of God has commanded us towards giving in the month of Ramadan is recommended sadaqah. Faqeer (poor) is one who cannot meet his annual expenses. Therefore, anyone whose income is less than his necessary expenditures and for those under his care is legally considered poor (faqeer), even if he has a job. Miskeen is also a faqeer but one whose state is really bad. It is right and proper to give sadaqah from the clean and pure God-given sustenance. The Quran says in this matter,

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You will never reach righteousness until you give in the way of God out of that which you love (3:92). In addition, sadaqah must be determined based on the abilities of the giver and related to the religiosity of the taker. One of todays customary practices that sadaqah which is a small amount of money usually given those who stretch out their hands and beg. Even though this is also sadaqah, however, the Prophet, the Imams and their companions have given large amounts as sadaqah. It is even related in narrations that Imam Hasan (AS) gave half of his savings several times in charity and his entire earnings twice. The following matters are involved in the reward for charity from God: the intention of the giver, the amount given based on the persons income and ability, his efforts and struggle in attaining that wealth, struggling against the self in order to get rid of the bad characteristic of stinginess (if it exists in him) and the type of people or works to whom he

has given sadaqah. It is out of a Muslims awareness, intelligence and success that he performs his goodness in a suitable way and place. The obligatory expenditures of wealth in the way of God such as paying off debts, expenses of those in ones care, zakat, khums, penalties, turning away injustices and vows are all prerequisites for recommended charities. A Muslim can perform obligatory and recommend acts simultaneously. It is befitting that we train ourselves and our children in spending and giving in the way of God during the month of Ramadan and other months so it becomes habitual. Those people who have made spending in the way of God and taking care of each other habits can carry heavy loads of responsibility on their shoulders and attain success over all difficulties. We have seen how spending and giving in the way of God was one of the factors behind victory in the face of the economic sanctions of the world and tolerating the great costs in the battle against the oppressors during the Islamic Revolution. Furthermore, it was a major factor in the defense of Afghanistan against the illegal Soviet invasion. 7. Holding back ones malice

And whoever keeps back his evil in this month, God will keep back His anger from him on the Day of Judgment. Holding back ones evil is always obligatory upon a Muslim, and according to the noble tradition, a Muslim is one from whose hand and tongue people are in security. It is evident that this duty is emphasized during the month of Ramadan and its reward also becomes twofold. It is befitting that a Muslim reflects on himself and in the matters which he bothers people with in order to repair his approach. Everyone can prepare a list of people who have been troubled by him and reasons why he has troubled each one of them and ways to fix those worries. It is also befitting that a person does not hurry to pass judgment for his own benefit because the persons self is going towards evil and commanding him to do bad and hideous things. How often does everyone refer to a believing and aware person so that in this way he passes a correct judgment and his plan for retribution is wise? It is appropriate that in our interaction with those of our brothers who are naturally emotional that we are especially careful. So many times one of them have been worried and been troubled and we were unaware. Its not a bad idea if a person is uncertain that a person has been troubled by him to ask him or others. It is also befitting that we forgive and pray that God forgives those of our brothers who have troubled us. The virtue for giving iftr to the fasting person in the blessed month of Ramadan The Messenger of God has said, One who provides the iftr for a believer in the blessed month of Ramadan [his reward] is equal to freeing a slave and it becomes the cause for his sins being forgiven. Someone said O Messenger of God; we are not all able to do this deed. He replied, God is generous, He gives this reward to one whose ability is not more than a glass of

milk to a fasting person for iftr, or a glass of sweetened water or a few dates and does not have the ability to give more than this. It has also been related from Imam Sadiq that he said, Whoever gives a fasting person iftr, his reward is like that of the fasting persons. The supplication of the one who gives iftr is answered Imam Baqir has said, A believer who gives iftr to a fasting believer on one night of the month of Ramadan, God will write for him the reward of freeing a slave. And one who gives iftr for the entire blessed month of Ramadan, God will write on his record of deeds the reward for freeing thirty slaves and in addition to that He will answer his prayers. Give iftr so that you may enter paradise Zurarah has related from Imam Sadiq that he said, Whoever gives iftr to a believer it will be the penalty for his sins until the next year. And whoever gives iftr to two believers it is upon God to enter him into paradise. The rewards for giving iftr Imam Sadiq has related from his father that he said, Sudayr came to see my father Imam Zainul Abideen in the blessed month of Ramadan. He said, O Sudayr, do you know what nights these are? He said, yes may I be sacrificed for you; these are the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. Thus what is it that you are saying? He said to him, Are you able to free ten slaves from the children of Ismaeel on each night? Sudayr said may my parents be your sacrifice; my financial means is not at this level. Thus his Excellency came down until he reached one slave in each night. In reply he said I do not have the ability. Then he said do you not have the ability to give iftr to one Muslim every night? He said, yes, rather I have the ability for ten people. Then my father said that was my point O Sudayr. Verily your giving iftr to a brother in religion is equal to freeing one slave from the children of Ismaeel. Also, Imam Musa b. Jafar has said, Your giving iftr to your brother in religion is better than your fast. *****