International Human Solidarity Day: Islamic Teachings on Unity, Compassion, and Human Dignity

Every year on 20 December, the international community observes International Human Solidarity Day, a day that highlights the urgent need for cooperation among nations, governments, faith communities, and societies to confront the shared challenges facing humanity. These challenges include poverty, war, displacement, injustice, widening discrimination, and climate apartheid, the mass uprooting of populations due to conflict and violence, and the failures or corruption of governments that intensify the suffering of vulnerable communities.

In Islamic teachings, the principle of human solidarity is deeply grounded in the Holy Qur’an, the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp), and the guidance of the Ahl al-Bayt (p). Islam presents human dignity and moral responsibility toward others as foundational pillars of a righteous society.

Quranic Foundations of Human Solidarity

The Shared Origin of All Humanity
“O humankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another” (49:13).

Cooperation in Goodness and Piety
“And cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness” (5:2).

Teachings of the Prophet (pbuh&hp) and Ahl al-Bayt (p) on Human Solidarity

Sayings of the Prophet on Human Solidarity
“The believers, in their mutual affection, mercy, and compassion, are like a single body: when one limb suffers, the rest of the body responds with wakefulness and fever.”) Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 274)/ Imām Jafar al-Sadiq (p), who reported that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) said, “Whoever begins the morning without caring about the affairs of the Muslims is not one of them; and whoever hears a person calling out, ‘O Muslims, help me!’ and does not respond to him, is not a Muslim” (al-Kulayni, al-Kafi. vol. 2, p. 164).

From Imām Jafar al-Sadiq (p), who said that the Messenger of God (pbuh&hp) declared, “All people are the dependents of God, and the most beloved of them to God is the one who brings benefit to His dependents and brings joy to a household” (al-Kulaynī, al-Kafi. vol. 2, p. 164).

In these two teachings, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) emphasizes that faith is inseparable from social responsibility. A believer must care about the struggles of others, respond to cries for help, serve God’s creation, and actively spread kindness. Through these words, the Prophet nurtures a spirit of compassion, solidarity, and human fellowship, reminding us that true religiosity reveals itself in our commitment to the well-being and dignity of all people.

The Universal Brotherhood of Humanity,

Imam Ali (p) states, “People are of two kinds: either your brothers in faith, or your equals in creation” (Nahj al-Balaghah, Letter 53)

The Virtue of Serving Others
Imām Jafar al-Sadiq (p) reported that God, Mighty and Glorious, said, “My creation is My dependents; and the most beloved among them to Me are those who treat them with the greatest kindness and strive most diligently to fulfill their needs.” (al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 199).

This noble narration highlights a core ethical principle in the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (p): true devotion to God is inseparable from serving His creation.

Human beings are described as “dependents” of God, which emphasizes both their dignity and their vulnerability. Those who are most beloved to God are therefore not defined by status, scholarship, or ritual display, but by kindness, compassion, and active engagement in meeting the needs of others—especially the vulnerable and marginalized.

This hadith is frequently cited in Shia ethical literature to underscore the spiritual value of social responsibility, humanitarian service, and caring for the ummah.

A Contemporary Example of Human Solidarity

A remarkable modern expression of moral solidarity occurred in March 2021, when Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani welcomed Pope Francis to Najaf. Through this meeting, and the exchanges surrounding it, both leaders reaffirmed shared commitments:

• the sanctity and dignity of every human being,
• the rejection of violence, extremism, and injustice,
• the protection of vulnerable and marginalized communities,
• the promotion of peaceful coexistence,
• and the defense of equal citizenship for all.

Their encounter demonstrated how authentic religious leadership can elevate the principles of compassion, justice, and human fraternity across political and cultural divides.

Final Reflection

International Human Solidarity Day reminds us that:

• humanity faces interconnected and escalating crises,
• the suffering of one community impacts all,
• and justice cannot be realized without collective moral responsibility.

The teachings of the Holy Qur’an, the Prophet (pbuh&hp), Ahl al-Bayt (p), and the contemporary example of Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani all point to one unifying truth:

Human solidarity is a moral, spiritual, and global duty—one that can only be fulfilled through cooperation, compassion, and shared responsibility.