Sharjah24: The United Nations defined sustainable development in the Brundtland Report as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Although the term ‘disability’ is defined as a person who has suffered a deficiency of the normal person in his body or mind from birth or at a certain age and left him with a physical impairment, a reason that prevents him from doing work like normal people in the society This is because he is suffering from a deficiency in some of his physical capabilities, and a body dysfunction that prevents him from fully carrying out all activities of life. This necessitates that care should be given to his cultural, health, psychological, educational, rehabilitative, social, and professional aspects to increase his sufficiency and ability to assume the responsibilities of himself and his society. The Sunnah affirms that the family of people with disabilities is the first in line to draw the right path for them and calls for the activation of integration of persons with disabilities into the learning circle and guiding them. This ensures a dignified livelihood and a happy life for them and their families.

The Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘All of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards. The ruler is a guardian and responsible for his subjects; the man is a guardian and responsible for his family; the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband's house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your wards’ (Bukhari, 1996, v. 5, p. 1996; Muslim, n.d., v. 3, 1459). 

The above hadith indicates that parents, teachers, governments at national and international levels (such as the UN), WHO, and so on, have roles to play in providing and solving issues for people with impairments. If everyone accounts for their role, sustainability or sustainable development can be achieved. Without a united front on this issue, the world’s future of sustainability is questionable.

One of the most important aims of the educational method of the Quran and the Sunnah is to help individuals live independently and safely, and this cannot be accomplished without the availability of a conscious family and vigilant guidance for the needs of the individual with disability. This guidance is to provide all his needs and strive to provide care for him so that a group of people with disabilities lives in one unit with a guide who helps them manage their daily affairs and make sure they go and come back at specified times or take them out for medicines or provide appropriate services when needed. Failure to develop the handicapped person is a clear defect and a fatal mistake. The home is the first school for people with disabilities, and the home is the building block that makes up society. This is because noble and rightly guided families are based on protecting the boundaries of Allah and preserving His laws and the pillars of love, affection, mercy, altruism, and cooperation, and do not differentiate between their children.

The advancement of cooperation and coordination between the activities of educational institutions and the family will bring praiseworthy results to the development, and improvement of the conditions for persons with disabilities, and continuous cooperation between educational institutions and the family is confirmed as a collective responsibility. Finally, responsibility rests on everyone to play a role in eliminating or reducing hardships and adversity of people with disabilities so that the world can achieve sustainable development.