“Human Rights: An Islamic Perspective”

“Human Rights: An Islamic Perspective”

In an article in the Minaret Magazine, January 2000 by Dr. Ghulam Nabi he states (14) human rights guaranteed by al-Islaam:

(1) The Security of Life and Property: In the address which the Prophet delivered on the occasion of the farewell hajj, he said: “Your lives and properties are forbidden to one another till you meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection.” The Prophet has also said about the non-Muslim citizens of a Muslim state: “One who kills a man under covenant will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise.”

(2) The Protection of Honor: The Qur’an lays down: “You who believe, do not let one (set of) people make fun of another set.” “Do not defame one another.” “Do not insult by using nicknames.” “Do not backbite or speak ill of one another.” (49:11-12)

(3) Sanctity and Security of Private Life: The Qur’an has laid down the injunction: “Do not enter spy on one another.” (49:12) “Do not enter any houses unless you are sure of their occupant’s consent.” (24:27)

(4) The Security of Personal Freedom: Islam has laid down the principle that no citizen can be imprisoned unless his guilt has been proven in an open court. To arrest a man only on the basis of suspicion and to throw him into a prison without proper court proceedings and without providing him a reasonable opportunity to produce his defense is not permissible in Islam.

(5) The Right to Protest against Tyranny: Among the rights that Islam has conferred on human beings is the right to protest against government’s tyranny. Referring to it the Qur’an says: “God does not love evil talk in public unless it is by someone who has been injured thereby.” (4:148) In Islam, as has been argued earlier all power and authority belong to God, and with man there is only delegated power which becomes a trust; everyone who becomes a recipient of such a power has to stand in reverence before his people toward whom and for whose sake he will be called upon to use these powers. This as acknowledged by the first Caliph Abu Bakr who said in his very first address: “Cooperate with me when I am right but correct me when I commit error; obey me so long as I follow the commandments of Allah and His Prophet; but turn away from me when I deviate.”

(6) Freedom of Expression: Islam gives the right of freedom of thought and expression to all citizens of the Islamic state on the condition that it should be used for the propagation of virtue and truth and not for spreading evil and wickedness. The Islamic concept of freedom of expression is much superior to the concept prevalent in the West. Under no circumstances would Islam allow evil and wickedness to be propagated. It also does not give anybody the right to use abusive or offensive language in the name of criticism. It was the practice of the Muslims to enquire from Prophet Muhammad whether on a certain matter a divine injunction had been revealed to him. If he said that he had received no divine injunction, the Muslims freely expressed their opinion on the matter.

(7) Freedom of Association: Islam has also given people the right to freedom of association and formation of parties or organizations. This right is also subject to certain general rules.

(8) Freedom of Conscience and Conviction: Islam laid down the injunction, “There should be no coercion in the matter of faith” (2:256). On the contrary, totalitarian societies totally deprive the individuals of their freedom. Indeed, this undue exaltation of the state authority curiously enough postulates a sort of servitude, of slavishness on the part of man. At one time slavery meant total control of man over man – now that type of slavery has been legally abolished but in its place totalitarian societies impose a similar sort of control over individuals.

(9) Protection of Religious Sentiments: Along with the freedom of conviction and freedom of conscience, Islam has give the right to the individual that his religious sentiments will be given due respect and nothing will be said or done which may encroach upon his right.

(10) Protection from Arbitrary Imprisonment: Islam also recognizes the right of the individual not to be arrested or imprisoned for the offenses of others. The Qur’an has laid down this principle clearly: “No bearer of burdens shall be made to bear the burden of another.” (35:18)

(11) The Right to Basic Necessities of Life: Islam has recognized the right of the needy people for help and assistance to be provided to them: “And in their wealth there is acknowledged right for the needy and the destitute.” (51:19)

(12) Equality before Law: Islam gives its citizens the right to absolute and complete equality in the eyes of the law.

(13) Rulers Not Above the Law: A woman belonging to a high and noble family was arrested in connection with theft. The case was brought to the Prophet, and it was recommended that she might be spared the punishment of theft. The Prophet replied: “The nations that lied before you were destroyed by God because they punished the common man for their offenses and let their dignitaries go unpunished for their crimes; I swear by Him Who holds my life in His hand that even if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, had committed this crime, I would have amputated her hand.”

(14) The Right to participate in the Affairs of the State: “And their business is (conducted) through consultation among themselves.” (42:38) The Shura or the legislative assembly has no other meaning except that the executive head of the government and the members of the assembly should be elected by a free and independent choice of the people.