In old times poets and authors painted mental pictures by metaphorically describing the cow, deer and the moon. Arab poet Ibn Al-Rumi describes the lion that can scare the strongest of men with a mere look. These extraordinary writings are part of Arab culture and literature. Even today whenever we attempt to describe beauty we use phrases that were coined by poets in those times. Yet, when we think of our own beauty, we assume that we are far better than everyone else.
Humans, with all their faults, flaws and weaknesses, brag about their appearances. It is a sad reality that nothing can make them see and observe the beauty that Allah has placed in His creation. He has, after all, created human beings in the best form with complete perfection.
I started with this long introduction to talk about what Allah says in the Qur’an, “”Oh you who believe, let not some men among you laugh at others, it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former). Let not some women laugh at others, it may be that the (latter are better than the former). Do not slander nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames; ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness (to be used of one) after one has believed. Those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong. (Al-Hujrat: 11)
How can a believer see himself better than the rest of the creation by ridiculing their appearance, their illnesses and disabilities?
Has Allah explained in the Qur’an that no one should feel superior to anyone for any reason whatsoever? People can be better than others in terms of their moral conduct but definitely not in respect of their height, wealth, education and social ranking.
The Prophet’s wife Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, once indicated with her hand and said to the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, that he should be wary of his other wife Safia because of her short height. The Prophet gently reproached her and explained that by such words and indications to describe her sister in Islam, she had said something that if mixed with seawater would pollute the sea.
Allah becomes upset when His creation is abused and ridiculed. As the creation of Allah we must remain careful not to become the object of Allah’s wrath and hold our tongue and think carefully before talking or addressing a human being that has been created by Allah.
