Values in the Bible and Qur'an
Primary 4 · Social and Religious Studies
Values in the Bible and Qur'an
Lesson 4 of 5
14 min
Some pupils in Mutesi's class have started calling a new boy by a mean nickname because he speaks Kinyarwanda with a different accent. The boy sits alone at break. Mutesi remembers what she learned at church, and her friend Amina remembers what she learned at the mosque. Together, they go and sit with him.
Jesus taught that, after loving God, the greatest commandment is: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." (Mark 12:31)
"And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)
"O ye who believe! Let not a folk deride a folk who may be better than they (are) ... neither defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames." (Qur'an 49:11)
"Deride" means make fun of, and "defame" means say bad things to spoil someone's name. So the Qur'an clearly says: do not mock people or call them hurtful nicknames.
"O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct." (Qur'an 49:13)
This verse teaches that people were made different so that they can get to know one another, not to look down on each other. The best person is not the richest or the strongest, but the one who behaves best. The Bible teaches the same when it asks us to love every neighbour as ourselves.
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matthew 6:14)
"Trespasses" means wrong things done to us.
"The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend." (Qur'an 41:34)
"Repel" means push away, "enmity" means being enemies, and a "bosom friend" is a very close friend. When someone is unkind to you, answer with kindness, and an enemy may become a friend. The Qur'an also praises "those who control their wrath and are forgiving toward mankind" (Qur'an 3:134). "Wrath" means anger.
Tip
Love, Respect, Forgive: L-R-F
When someone is unkind, remember Qur'an 41:34 and Ephesians 4:32: answer bad with good.
Answer: "... yourself." (Mark 12:31)
Answer: Do not insult one another by nicknames.
Answer: So that they may know one another.
Answer: The one who is best in conduct (who behaves best).
Answer: Control his anger, forgive his friend, and answer with kindness, for example by talking calmly and sharing.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
The rest of the lesson, including the practice questions, is written by Ganzaa.
Quick check
Some pupils call a new boy a mean nickname. What do Mutesi and Amina do?
