All men, in this world do not possess an equal set of qualities and attributes. Some people are bestowed with higher intelligence and more abilities than others. Such persons, therefore, leave a mark on the thinking patterns of masses through their brilliant and extraordinary ideas, research and creative works. On the contrary, although, a 'common man' may not be able to contribute to such an extent, yet he can prove beneficial for the society by contributing as much as his talents and skills allow. Through sincere efforts he can render significant services to the society. In this way even the little help by all men will prove much fruitful to the betterment of human society.
Few personalities, equipped with remarkable talents, from the very beginning of their career, show outstanding achievements in their respective fields of expertise. Albert Einstein, Shakespeare, Bacon, Darwin, Isaac Newton, Socrates are few to name. They are considered as the great men of all time, and are remembered today due to their incredible innovations. Practically, it is the nature of their contribution to the world that imparts greatness upon them. It was their work that earned them such reverence. On the other side are the vast majority of people who fall under the category of 'common men'. After having lived their life, their identity starts to fade away and eventually disappears from this world as the time passes by, as if they never existed! If man cannot leave a mark on the sands of time, he at least can become a useful part of the society by extending a helping hand towards his fellows. He can render a great deal of service to the cause of humanity by adopting an attitude of sympathy, compassion and passion towards the poor and the needy. As Mother Teresa has remarked, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”, the real greatness comes from extending the arms of love and compassion towards the downtrodden. God did not create man only to live his life running after his material ambitions, rather He assigned man with the duty to follow the path of righteousness and to assist his fellow beings. But in today's technological era, man has become self-centered and ignorant of the moral values that he is bound to follow. It is observance of moral values that separates him from animals. He can prove his humanity through humane behaviour. Islam strongly advocates helping the poor. It focuses very well on human rights and has suggested various ways to fulfil them. One of them is the economical support in the form of 'Zakat'. By giving Zakat, economic disparity in the society can be alleviated and the poor will be able to satisfy their basic needs. What else can be as great as feeding a hungry child!
Lives of all great men give the lesson that greatness can be found in the acts of love, compassion and dedication for the betterment of the society. For that very purpose the will of the person is crucial. If men were to follow Islamic ideology in its real essence, this world would be free from sorrows and sufferings. In this way a common man can become a better man.