Basic
Social Conduct
Surah: Al-Maidah (2)
Cooperate in Righteousness and Piety and Do Not Cooperate in Sin and Aggression
وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ
— المائدة الآية 2
Verse: "Cooperate in righteousness and piety and do not cooperate in sin and aggression." (5:2) — One of the greatest Islamic social principles in one verse. Cooperation in good is obligatory; cooperation in evil is forbidden. No neutrality — either one or the other. "Birr" = broad comprehensive good. "Taqwa" = fear of Allah and avoiding prohibitions. "Ithm" = personal sin. "Udwan" = injustice to others. This verse sets the criterion for every partnership and cooperation. Lesson: before every partnership — ask: what will we cooperate on?
Source: Ibn Kathir (3/13); Al-Sadi
Test Yourself
What is the difference between "ithm" (sin) and "udwan" (aggression) in this verse?
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