Cooperate in Righteousness and Piety and Do Not Cooperate in Sin and Aggression
tadabbur
Level: basic
social
td-389
وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ
— المائدة 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
Question: What is the difference between "ithm" (sin) and "udwan" (aggression) in this verse?
Answer: "Ithm" is a sin that pertains to oneself. "Udwan" is injustice inflicted on others — the verse prohibits cooperation in both types.