Human Relations in Islam – JSS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Human relations in Islam is the way Muslims are taught to treat all people, Muslims and non-Muslims, with justice, kindness and respect.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what human relations means in Islam;
2. state the four Islamic principles for human relations;
3. describe how Muslims should treat parents, spouses, children, extended family, neighbours, friends and non-Muslims;
4. list practical ways to improve human relations and behaviours to avoid;
5. give examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that show good human relations.

What are the key terms in human relations?

Key terms are the words a student must know before studying how Muslims treat other people.

• Human relations: how people behave towards one another in family, friendship and society.
• Adl: justice, which means being fair to everyone.
• Ihsan: doing good and showing kindness beyond what is required.
• Silat ar-rahim: keeping good ties with relatives.
• Backbiting: talking badly about a person when he or she is not present.

Why are good relations important in Islam?

Good relations are important because all humans share one origin and Islam values those who benefit others.

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know one another.” (Quran 49:13)

This verse shows that:

• One origin: all humans come from the same source.
• Purpose of differences: our differences help us learn from each other.
• Getting to know others: it is part of the purpose of our creation.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“The best of people are those who benefit others.”

• Lesson: being good to others is what makes a person truly valuable in Islam.

What are the Islamic principles for human relations?

There are four Islamic principles for human relations: justice, kindness, respect for human dignity, and brotherhood and sisterhood.

1. What is justice (Adl)?

Justice is being fair and just with all people, even those we do not like.

Allah says in the Quran:

“O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, or your relatives.” (Quran 4:135)

• Fairness: treat everyone fairly.
• No hatred: do not be unfair even to people you dislike.
• Courage: stand up for what is right, even if it is difficult.

2. What is kindness (Ihsan)?

Kindness is being gentle, helpful and caring in our dealings with others.

Allah says:

“Allah commands justice, doing good, and giving to relatives.” (Quran 16:90)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Kindness is not found in anything except that it beautifies it, and it is not removed from anything except that it makes it ugly.”

Ways to show kindness:

• Soft words: speak gently to people.
• Helping: assist others in their needs.
• Smiling: greet people with a cheerful face.
• Gifts: give small presents to show care.
• Forgiving: overlook the mistakes of others.

3. What is respect for human dignity?

Respect for human dignity means every person deserves respect because Allah created every person.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) stood up when the funeral of a Jewish person passed by. When asked why, he said:

“Is it not a human soul?”

This teaches us:

• Basic respect: every human deserves it.
• Religion is not a barrier: we honour human dignity whatever a person’s faith.
• Sacred life: the value of human life is great in Islam.

4. What is brotherhood and sisterhood?

Brotherhood and sisterhood means Muslims see other Muslims as brothers and sisters.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

This means:

• Equal love: wish good for others as you wish for yourself.
• Shared joy: feel happy when others succeed.
• Support: help others in need.
• No envy: do not be jealous of others.

What are the types of human relations in Islam?

There are four types of human relations in Islam: family relations, relations with neighbours, relations with friends and relations with non-Muslims.

1. What are family relations in Islam?

Family relations cover how Muslims treat parents, spouses, children and extended family.

Parents

The relationship with parents is extremely important in Islam.

Allah says:

“Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents.” (Quran 17:23)

How to treat parents:

• Respectful speech: speak to them with respect.
• Obedience: obey them, as long as they do not ask you to disobey Allah.
• Care: look after them, especially in old age.
• Prayer: pray for them.
• Patience: be patient with them.

Spouses

Marriage in Islam is based on love, mercy and kindness.

Allah says:

“And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may find peace with them, and He put between you love and mercy.” (Quran 30:21)

Guidance for marriage:

• Kindness: treat each other kindly.
• Respectful talk: communicate with respect.
• Rights: fulfil each other’s rights.
• Patience: bear each other’s faults.
• Support: stand by each other.

Children

Parents have duties towards their children.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.”

Duties towards children:

• Education: provide a good education.
• Values: teach them Islamic values.
• Love: show them love and affection.
• Fairness: be fair among all children.
• Example: set a good example.

Extended family

Islam emphasises keeping ties with extended family members, which is called silat ar-rahim.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever would like his wealth to be increased and his lifespan to be extended, should keep good relations with his family.”

Ways to maintain family ties:

• Visits: visit relatives regularly.
• Help: assist them when they need help.
• Gifts: give them gifts.
• Contact: stay in touch.
• Forgiveness: forgive their mistakes.

2. How should Muslims treat neighbours?

Neighbours have special rights in Islam, whatever their religion.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Gabriel kept recommending me to treat my neighbour well until I thought he would make him my heir.”

Rights of neighbours:

• Help: assist them in times of need.
• Privacy: protect their privacy.
• No harm: do not cause them harm or disturbance.
• Sharing: share food with them.
• Greeting: greet them with a smile.

3. How should Muslims treat friends?

Islam encourages Muslims to have good friends who help them become better people.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“A person follows the religion of his close friend, so let each of you look at whom he befriends.”

Guidelines for friendship:

• Choose well: pick friends who strengthen your faith.
• Loyalty: be loyal and trustworthy.
• Advice: give sincere advice.
• Support: stand by friends in difficult times.
• Encouragement: urge each other to do good.

4. How should Muslims treat non-Muslims?

Islam teaches Muslims to be kind and just to non-Muslims who live peacefully with them.

Allah says:

“Allah does not forbid you from being kind and just to those who do not fight you because of your religion and do not drive you from your homes. Allah loves those who are just.” (Quran 60:8)

Guidelines for dealing with non-Muslims:

• Rights: respect their rights.
• Honesty: be honest in dealings.
• Invitation: invite them to Islam with wisdom and good manners.
• No force: do not force religion upon them.
• Peace: live peacefully as neighbours.

What are the practical ways to improve human relations?

There are five practical ways to improve human relations: good communication, forgiveness, helping others, keeping promises and avoiding bad behaviour.

1. Good communication

Good communication means speaking and listening in a kind and clear way.

• Clear speech: speak clearly and kindly.
• Listening: listen attentively.
• Gentle words: avoid harsh words.
• Thinking: think before speaking.
• Self-control: control anger when talking.

2. Forgiveness

Forgiveness is overlooking a wrong done to you instead of taking revenge.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“The strong person is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger.”

Benefits of forgiveness:

• Healing: it mends relationships.
• Peace: it brings peace to your heart.
• Reward: it earns Allah’s pleasure.
• Example: it sets a good example.
• Less hatred: it reduces stress and hatred.

3. Helping others

Helping others means using your money, time, knowledge and strength to meet people’s needs.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Allah helps the servant as long as the servant helps his brother.”

Ways to help others:

• Charity: give to those in need.
• Knowledge: share what you know.
• Physical help: offer practical assistance.
• Emotional support: comfort people in trouble.
• Prayer: pray for them.

4. Keeping promises

Keeping promises means doing what you have agreed to do.

Allah says:

“O you who believe! Fulfil your contracts.” (Quran 5:1)

Importance of keeping promises:

• Trust: it builds trust.
• Reliability: it shows you can be depended on.
• Character: it shows good character.
• Honour: it respects your word.
• Strong bonds: it makes relationships stronger.

5. What behaviours harm human relations?

Islam warns against seven behaviours that harm relationships.

• Backbiting: talking badly about someone when he or she is not present.
• Spreading rumours: passing on news without proof.
• Lying: saying what is not true.
• Arrogance: feeling better than other people.
• Mocking: making fun of others.
• Suspicion: thinking evil of people without proof.
• Spying: searching for the hidden faults of others.

What examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) show good human relations?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) showed good human relations through kindness to neighbours, respect for all humans and forgiveness.

Example 1: Kindness to a neighbour

• Story: a popular account says a woman threw rubbish at the Prophet each day as he passed her house.
• Action: when she was absent, he asked about her and learned she was sick.
• Response: he visited her to check on her health.
• Result: the account says she was moved by his kindness and accepted Islam.
• Lesson: respond to bad treatment with kindness.

Example 2: Respect for all humans

• Event: the Prophet stood up when a funeral procession passed by.
• Question: he was told it was the funeral of a Jewish person.
• Reply: “Is it not a human soul?”
• Lesson: respect the dignity of all humans, whatever their faith.

Example 3: Forgiveness

• Event: the Prophet returned to Mecca after years of persecution.
• Action: he forgave those who had harmed him and his followers.
• Lesson: forgiveness is better than revenge.

Evaluation

1. What does human relations mean in Islam?
2. Name the four Islamic principles for human relations.
3. List four ways to treat your parents well.
4. Mention four behaviours that harm relationships.
5. What lesson do we learn from the Prophet standing up for the funeral of a Jewish person?

Assignment

In your notebook, choose one relationship in your life (parents, neighbour or friend) and write three actions you will take this week to improve it, with one Quran verse or hadith from this note to support each action.