Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Human life is sacred and must be preserved. Its value is primarily obtained through the most beautiful creation of Allah (swt). Each individual is honoured by their inherent nature that makes them human. Our Prophet (saw) emphasised the shared value in human nature by stating that no child is born except on Fitra[1]. Without a doubt, being created as a human is a display of a unique mercy. Furthermore, by being recipients of divine revelation, humans have achieved a value that mountains and all other creatures could not bear.

Throughout all of history, the revelations that have reached humanity invite them to discover a shared value, despite their differences. Indeed, the Quranic verse “We created you as nations and tribes, so that you may know one another”[2] indicates that all the differences among people are directed towards the same divine wisdom. Our differences remind us of the divine mercy that is at work within us and bring us closer to the Truth.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Unfortunately, humanity seems so distant from understanding this that they are not following the call within their own nature, the call of revelation, or the call of creation. How else can we explain the continued hatred, aggression and ultimately wars that persist to this day? Just as we can find the traces of the verse “We have certainly created man in the best of stature” in the world, we also witness how the verse “Then We return him to the lowest of the low”[3] is manifested in our times.

Humanity, almost as if denying the divine value within themselves, often fails to recognise the right to life in others. By closing their eyes to the traces of creation within their own beings and the call of their nature, they commit the ultimate injustice to themselves.

Can one be said to appreciate their own worth if they cannot appreciate the worth of others? Due to this alienation from oneself, humanity becomes alienated from others and is unable to peacefully coexist with others who also grapple with their inherent nature. 

Dear Jama’ah!

The tragic events that have unfolded over the past two weeks are deeply distressing. The collapsed buildings, the lifeless bodies of children and the suffering cries of parents rising to the heavens all demonstrate that, in the 21st century, humanity has not made the progress it claims to have. What we are witnessing shows that people have failed to appreciate the value both within themselves and in the environment they share.

Apart from rejecting war itself, when we witness the killing of civilians and the deliberate disregard for human rights and the rule of law, we are deeply concerned about the direction in which our world is heading. We must regard this timeless wisdom from the Quran: “Whoever kills a person, it is as if he has killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity.”[4]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!      

The call to salvation in Islam is for all of humanity. If we cannot establish peace in this world, do not assume that we will find peace in the hereafter. We believe it is our duty to protect the right to life of anyone, regardless of who they are. We also extend an invitation to all of humanity to respond to the eternal call of the Quran: “Whoever saves one life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity.”

If we cannot preserve humanity in the regions where the oppressed cry out, we cannot claim to be living our own humanity. Therefore, we invite all of humanity to fulfill the essence of being human. We invite everyone to understand the value that Allah (swt) has bestowed upon humanity.

 

[1] Buhârî, Tefsîr, 2

[2] Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13

[3] Surah At-Tin, 95: 4-5

[4] Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:32

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