Welcome to the 29th and the last episode of Heavenly Call on the occasion of the blessed fasting month of Ramadhan, since most probably Friday, June 15 is Eid al-Fitr, depending on sighting of the crescent tonight.

We start with the special supplication of the 29^th day:

O Allah, cover me this day with Your mercy; grant me therein success and protection (from sin); and purge from my heart the darkness of suspicion; O You who are merciful to Your faithful servants.”

Unfortunately, today’s world has turned into a place of bitter rivalries arousing out of jealousy, the superiority complex on the superficial basis of wealth, power, class, colour of skin, ethnicity, geographical region, and language, as well as the undue attitude of “holier than thou”. The question that arises is: Are such attitudes justified and can be considered fair?

The answer is obvious. None of these factors can be considered sound and healthy, let alone righteous, since these are nothing but satanic insinuations to divide mankind by creating hatred in hearts against fellow humans. On the political scene, such attitudes are promoted by despotic and hegemonic powers to exploit and weaken nations, in order to plunder their resources and keep them in perpetual turmoil. In order to remove such unnatural tendencies from society, Islam has a universal motto which is mentioned in ayah 13 of surah Hujuraat, where Allah Almighty says:

“O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female. And made you nations and tribes that you may identify yourselves with one another. Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most Godwary among you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware."

It is interesting to note the ayah implies that these evil tendencies of seeking undue superiority over others had been present in all eras among all nations, and it is only the pious and Godfearing who triumph humbly in the Divine Court on the basis of their faith, positive role in society, and exemplary manners, but without bragging to others about their excellent characteristics.

The formula presented by the holy Qur'an in this regard is noteworthy. First, it negates all racial, ethnic, national, political, economic, tribal, lingual, class, geographical and all other barriers by announcing that God has created all mankind from a single man-woman pair, that is, Adam and Eve. This means, there is no question of airing superiority tendencies over others, since after all the whole humanity is one large extended family. Secondly, the ayah says that the emergence of tribes and nations is for the purpose of distinguishing oneself and preserving humanitarian solidarity on the basis of better acquaintance. The third and final point is that, the only genuine factor defining one’s superiority is faith and piety, which are endeared by God Almighty.

Thus, if a society is Godwary and observes religious dos and don’ts it will be free from social ills, discriminations and injustices. That's why the noble Qur'an introduces the noblest people in the sight of God those who are Godwary. In other words, it is God who knows how to evaluate human beings as He is all-Knowing and all-Aware.

The most glorious manifestation of belief in God is the millions-strong gathering of the annual Hajj pilgrimage which negates all negative illusive advantages and gaps, such as clothes, education, wealth, language, race and so on. Everybody has to wear a white robe called Ihram.

This is very hard for some people to accept. It is narrated that when Mecca peacefully submitted to the Muslims, the Prophet of Islam told Bilal, the black-skinned Abyssinian, to go on top of the Ka'ba to chant Azan (or call for prayer). At this one of the white-skinned aristocrats of Mecca said, "Good that my father and is not alive to see such a humiliating day." Another rich Meccan said, "Doesn’t Mohammad has anybody else except this black crow to call for prayer?"

Yes, these people were proved wrong by Islam and Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

Thanks for keeping us company in the blessed month of Ramadhan. This series was an effort to illustrate ideological and ethical features of the faithful, and hopefully you have liked it. Congratulations in advance for a happy Eid al-Fitr.

AS/ME