AL-HUDA
Foundation, NJ U. S. A
the Message Continues ... 4/86
Newsletter for October 2008
Article 1 - Article 2 - Article 3 - Article 4 - Article 5 - Article 6 - Article 7 - Article 8 - Article 9 - Article 10 - Article 11 - Article 12
People of All Faiths Have an Interest in Justice
by Iftekhar Hai
Being a student of inter-religious studies has opened my
mind to the wisdom of other religions.
Unfortunately, not every one has had the same
experience.
Instead, there are people who go through life with
preconceived views and ideas about other faiths.
For them, there is nothing to learn. Such an attitude
becomes the cause of religious superiority. It leads to
racism and discrimination.
However, if you are raised in the belief that all
religions are equal and that everyone has equal rights
to salvation depending on righteous actions, there can
be hope for uniting diverse people.
Early in my education about Islam, I was never told that
there is only One Holy Language of God.
But I learnt that righteousness was important,
especially when it is linked to forming a just society.
I translate that into societies working honestly with
the structures of justice, where judges, witnesses,
jury, defendants, the accusers and law enforcement play
their roles.
So the character of the people dispensing justice
becomes very vital.
They should be free from hatred, political and national
agendas, religious affiliations, etc.
They are the people we all should recommend for
dispensing justice through the courts of law.
Any ideal judge must be honest and not have
(preconceived) hatred.
An ideal witness must stand firmly for justice.
An ideal jury can combine the qualities of being an
ideal judge and witness and look at the evidence and the
circumstances surrounding each crime.
A jury should stick to the facts and never be influenced
by the oratorical abilities of the lawyers.
As a person opened to interfaith wisdom, I look at all
faiths to understand the meaning of the word,
“righteousness.”
Christianity:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of
righteousness, for theirs is the
Judaism:
Justice, justice and justice you shall seek.
Thou shall not bear false witness.
Buddhism: The Noble eight fold path: of right view,
right conduct, right livelihood, right behavior, right
thought, right speech, right effort and right
concentration.
Islam:
Be just, this is closest to righteousness. Never let
hatred of others lead you to deviate from justice.
Stand out firmly for justice as witnesses even against
yourselves, against your parents and against your
children, against people who are rich or poor.
American Indians:
You must learn to speak righteousness so that your words
may go as sun’s rays warming the hearts (satisfying) and
confirming the eternal truth.
Iftekhar Hai is president of the United Muslims of
American Interfaith |
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