In the Name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful

Human Diversity

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if everyone was alike?  

Once Abdul ‘Azim Hassani¹, one of the most loyal companions of Imam Jawad (PBUH), visited Imam and asked him to recite a narration from his great fathers. Imam Jawad read a word of wisdom from his father. Abdul ‘Azim repeated his request several times and each time Imam Jawad (PBUH) read a different narration from his great fathers. One of the narrations addressed was the answer to this question. Imam Jawad (PBUH) narrated a hadith from Amir al-Mu’minin Imam Ali (PBUH) on the subject of diversity: “The benefit of mankind is in its diversity and different capabilities, and its annihilation is in repeated characteristics and similarities.”²

Diversity among humans is one of the wonders of creation.  Allah has said in the Holy Quran: “What is the matter with you that you fear not the greatness of Allah? And indeed He has created you through diverse grades.”³

No two people are identical physically nor emotionally. And the discovery of the fingerprint being unique for every person attests to that.⁴

If all humans were created with equal characteristics and traits, then society would have a serious problem. Everyone would show to have identical capabilities and carry out the same daily activities. Living in that kind of society and trying to make a living would have left us short of answers, making life harsh and bitter for everyone.

So, Allah’s wisdom to create everyone differently with diverse capabilities has provided order in life.  And society is managed through people’s desires of performing different activities.

In the end, everyone is expected to perform at the level of their capabilities and this is the measure in which we are tested by Allah.

(Selection from “Divine Justice” by Murteza Mutahari with minor changes)

 Roshd Website offers its condolences during the final days of the month of Dhil Qa’dah to all Muslims, namely you dear friend, for the martyrdom of Imam Mohammad ibn Ali al-Jawad (PBUH), the manifestation of magnanimity, generosity, and pure piety.

Roshd Shia-Islamic Website

Footnotes:

1. One of the grand children of Imam Hassan (PBUH) and a close companion to Imam Jawad and Imam Hadi (PBUT)

2.  Amaali Saduq, p. 446.

3.  Holy Quran 71:13-14

4.  In Surah Qiyamaa verse 4 Allah has said, “Yea, verily. We are Able to restore his very finger tips!”  This verse illustrates a scientific matter that man has discovered after centuries.  In other words, despite the fact that the fingertips are very small and different from the fingertips of all other humans, nonetheless we can bring them back with those same exact differences.