Prophets Muhammad (SAS) and Jesus Christ cared for the poor!

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL 

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Generally, Prophets are soft hearted, felt for the less fortunate ones and poor, always went forward to help them in their own ways and asked their followers also to do the same as the easiest way for salvation, for better life hereafter.

 It is, therefore, not surprising that Prophet of Islam called Jesus as his own elder brother. who served the  people.  

Jesus (Isa Nabi) is not only considered a prophet in Islam. In fact, Jesus is mentioned more times in the Quran, by name, than Prophet Muhammad himself– each time in the most elevated regard. Therefore, this Christmas, Jesus can be the inspiration for Muslims and Christians – and others, too – to build bridges of interfaith harmony and work together for the betterment of society.

Jesus taught, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25). Here Jesus sought to impress upon the wealthy the need to share a portion of their wealth with the poor – if they wish to enter the “Kingdom of God,” or heaven. This teaching promotes social justice, ensuring that no person goes without the basic necessities of life, such as food, water and health care, while others enjoy the luxuries of life.

It is not communism because it was not there in distant past as a philosophy but, rather, human dignity and morality. Our current economy would likely not be in its degraded situation if the rich – including Muslims, Christians and even atheists – were mindful of Jesus’ lesson.

Rich cares a damn for the poor everywhere, both in developed and underdeveloped nations, in towns and villages. India or Pakistan or Bangladesh, for example, has some of the most distressing and unequal economic conditions in the world. People spend plenty of money for a meal in fancy restaurants along with friends, but outside hotels, there are barefooted and emaciated beggars, including Muslims,  pleading simply for a rupee to make enough to buy a piece of food for themselves or their children.

The inequality is absolutely heart-wrenching.

The number of elderly who are being cared for in nursing homes these days is remarkably high – which, in some cases can be beneficial and preferable to living, and dying, alone. Studies, however, show that the vast majority of elderly people prefer to spend time with their families rather than at nursing homes.

Muslims should take lead in fostering an environment of love and reciprocity.

Jesus’ teachings of caring for the less-fortunate are further extended by our own prophet Muhammad (SAS)are just a couple of the many teachings and examples of Jesus that we can use to work collectively for the social good and, in this process, improve our relations.

Although certain theological differences between Muslims and Christians will remain, basically both religions are meant for saving the humanity from spiritual disasters that also wreck human lives as well as  of societies.

While one sees Christian bothers help each other in some  ways, Muslims do not do even that.  As the true followers of  Prophet Muhamamd (SAS) Muslims are expected to  follow the foot steps of our Prophet.

World looks at every Muslim as representative of Islam, practicing Islamic faith. .

Once Muslims behave well, practicing Islamic faith sincerely, none on earth  can terrorize them.