Empowering The Needy, Respecting Diversity: Insights From The Qur'an

摘要

The issue of diversity and social empowerment might have often been addressed separately. However, the Qur'an has talked about the two interlinkedly. There are many verses in the Qur'an that suggest people to get involved in the giving and empowerment of the needy and at the same time to respect diversity. This study seeks to explore how the Qur'an has balanced its message on respecting human diversity and that on helping those in need, by identifying the relevant verses and how some of these verses have been interpreted by classical and modern exegetes. The identification of the verses would be mainly based on a search for the use of words relevant to kinds of people in need of help: the needy (faqir), the poor (miskin), the orphans (yatim), the beggars (sa'il), the deprived (mahrum), the wayfarer (ibn sabil), the captive (asir), the slave (raqabah), the ill (marda), the weak (da'if), and the marginalized (mustad'af). Qur'anic exegeses surveyed are seven commentaries representing classical and modern exegeses and representing various methods of interpretation. The Qur'an clearly demands respect for the people in need regardless of their background, providing insights to to hold social services with respect for diversity. This is particularly built upon its messages on humility, sincerity, and understanding in actions of social service.