GOD AND HUMAN BEINGS
Abu Mas‘ud Ansari was a Muslim from Madinah. One day, he became angry with his slave over something and started beating him with a stick. At that very moment, the Prophet of Islam happened to pass by. Upon seeing this, he said, “Abu Mas‘ud, know that God has more power over you than you have over this slave.” As soon as Abu Mas‘ud heard this, the stick fell from his hand, and he said, “From today, this slave is free.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1659)
Initially, Abu Mas‘ud saw the situation as a matter between one human being and another. In that moment, he saw himself as the master and the other person as a slave. He viewed himself as being in a position of superiority and the slave as being beneath him. But after the Prophet of Islam’s words, he realized that the entire matter was one that concerned God. Now he saw himself standing on the same level as the slave—both equally powerless before God. That is why the raised stick slipped from his hand and fell.
The truth is that all the problems of social life arise because people view matters in relation to other human beings, not in relation to God. When someone acquires wealth, they begin to consider themselves superior to those who do not possess it. However, if they were to view the matter in relation to God, they would realize that they are just as poor as anyone else. When a person attains a high position, they start thinking that they are greater than everyone else. But if they were to view themselves in relation to God, they would find that they are just as insignificant as others. When someone speaks harshly against another person, it is because they consider the other to be inferior. But if they were to see the situation in relation to God, they would run out of words—for before God, they are just as powerless as the other person.
Islam aims to create a person who does not see matters as transactions between individuals, but rather as things that will ultimately be presented before God. This perspective cuts at the root of all evils. After this, there remains no room for pride, jealousy, lust for power, or injustice. One’s ‘stick’ then falls from their hand—rather than landing on another person’s head.
