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Good morning.

Among the British values that Muslims are being asked to embrace are ‘Personal and social responsibility.’Ìý What many people may not realise is that in almost all Islamic theological traditions, social responsibilities are prioritised over duties and obligations to God, or religious rituals such as fasting.Ìý The Qur’an states:

‘Do not forget your responsibilities in the present world; and be good to others as God has been good to you.’ (Qur’an 28:77)

According to Muslim tradition, Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, declared that:

‘The best people, and the most beloved of God, are those who do things for the benefit of others’

For Muslims, social responsibilities are not limited to fellow human beings but extent to issues relating to the environment and animal welfare.Ìý For example, Muslims consider it haram (prohibited) to cut down trees unnecessarily even in a time of war, to waste water, or to take part in any form of hunting done as a sport.Ìý Muhammad warned his followers saying:
‘Whoever kills a sparrow or anything bigger than that without a just cause, God will hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment.’

He also prohibited them from using more water than necessary.Ìý His disciples asked him,‘O messenger of God! Can there be wastefulness while performing the ablution for a religious act?’Ìý To which he responded, ‘Yes, even if you perform your ablution on the banks of a rushing river.’

For many Muslims, faith is a driver of personal and social responsibility.

So our prayer today is:
Lord grant us the wisdom to value the differences in our cultures, races, and ideas.Ìý We ask you to forgive us our shortcomings.Ìý Amen.

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