MORAL VALUES

Muhammad�s religion is predominantly theological, but moral values are not altogether neglected.  The pre-Muslim Arabs believed in many moral values common to all mankind.  Muhammad retained these values but gave them a sectarian twist.  A Muslim owes everything to the ummah, very little to others.  He has no obligations, moral or spiritual, toward non-Muslims as part of the human race, except to convert them by sword, spoils, and jizyA.  For example, sincerity is a universal human value, and we should exercise it in our relations with one another irrespective of creed and nationality.  But in Islam, it is limited to Muslims.  Muhammad at one place defines al-din (�the religion,� i.e., Islam) as �sincerity and well-wishing,� which should be a good definition for any religion.  But on being asked, �Sincerity and well-wishing for whom?� he replies: �For Allah, His Book, His Messenger and for the leaders and general Muslims� (98).  JarIr b. �Abdullah reports that he �pledged allegiance to the Apostle of Allah on sincerity and well-wishing for every Muslim� (102).

Again, other moral values are given the same twist, and the universal is turned into the sectarian.  Muhammad tells his followers: �Abusing a Muslim is an outrage and fighting against him is unbelief� (122).

AUTHOR:  RAM SWARUP