Human Rights in Islam

Haq (Right) is defined as the thing that is based upon justice, fairness and moral principles.

When the Western World was passing through a period of intellectual darkness and religious
bigotry, Islam was the torchbearer of liberty, fraternity, and freedom even in that day and age.

Islam has prescribed to employ in their lives regarding observance of civil liberties and
human rights.

In Islam, the origins and implications of human rights are supported by the revelations in the
Quran.

"O mankind! We have created you from a single (pair) of male and female, and made you
into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the
sight of God is the most pious of you. And God full knowledge and is well acquainted (with
all things).'

1. Freedom of Living

Human blood is sacred in any case and cannot be spilled without justification. Violating this
rule is equivalent to killing all of humanity.

Men is born free with no restrictions.

"Whosoever kills a human being (without any reason) man slaughter or corruption on Earth,
it is as though he had killed all mankind"

Freedom in everything race, color, creed, religion, nationality, thought, expression etc.

The Right to Life has been given to man only by Islam

Do not kill a soul which Allah has made sacred except through the due process of law ...
(6:151)

Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) says," Whoever kills a dhimmi (Non-Muslim in the Islamic
state) will not even smell the fragrance of Heaven".

2. Freedom of Religion

Islam prescribes complete rules and regulations for Muslims but never binds on non-Muslims

Non-Muslims are free to follow their family edicts and rituals.

"There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become
clear from the wrong." (Al-Bagarah: 256)

Holy Quran is full of statements that the choice of choosing one way or another is a person's
own concern.
"Clear proofs have been come to you from your Lord, so whoever sees, it is for his own good,
and whoever is blind, it is to his own harm. And I am not a keeper over you." (6:104)

"the truth is from your Lord, so let him who please believe and let him who please
disbelieve."(18:29)

"We have truly shown him the way, he may be thankful or unthankful." (76:3)

"If they accept Islam then indeed they follow the right way, and if they turn back, your
(Prophet
PBUH) duty is only to deliver the message." (3:20)

3. Dignity and Equality

Islam denounces the concept of superiority and believes in equality of mankind. Dignity and
equality are the two foundational principles of Islam.

Thus, all human beings are equal and form one universal community that is united in its
submission and obedience to God.

" O mankind, We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes
that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest among you in the sight of Allah is the
most righteous of you. "(Surah Al-Hujurat)
Muhammad PBUH said," All humankind is from Adam and Eve, neither an Arab has no
superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority
over an Arab; neither a white has no superiority over a black nor does a black have any
superiority over white except by piety"

All must be treated equally without discrimination.

In Quran, punishments are mentioned for the violators of dignity.

« And those who accuse chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses - lash them
with eighty lashes and do not accept from them
testimony ever after "

4. Right to Justice

A valuable right which Islam has given to man as a human being.

"Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression" (5:2).

"You who believe stand steadfast before God as witness for (truth and) fairplay" (4:135).

According to Islam the justice is not limited only to the citizens of their own country, or the
people of their own tribe, nation or race, or the Muslim community as a whole.

"Act justly, Allah loves those who are just."

 5. Privacy and Security of Life

In Islam, life is a sacred trust from Allah and the most basic right of a human being.

Human beings have the right not to be harmed, they have the right to be safeguarded from
harm, physical or otherwise.

"And whoever saves a life it is as though he had saved the lives of all mankind."

"Allah tortures those who torture the people in this life." (Sahih Muslim)

Right to privacy and freedom of movement within the law is recognized by Islam.
Quran says," O believers! Don't enter the houses of others, without seeking permission of
their occupants; this is the conduct enjoined upon you"

6. Freedom of speech and action

Islam guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of action in each and every aspect of life.

Examples: Muhammad PBUH used to consult his companions before carrying out a plan.
(Digging of a trench around Madina)

7. Right to own Property

Land, property and housing rights are the rights of all human beings.

No one can deprive a person from his property.

Muhammad PBUH says, "He who brought a dead piece of land to life (brought it to
cultivation) is the owner of that land."

The Quran clearly says," O you who have believed, do not devour one another's wealth
unjustly but only in business by mutual consent"

8. Right to Education

Every person is entitled to receive education according to his natural capabilities.

As the first verses of Quran says,

"Read, Read in the name of Allah, who created. He created the human being from blood clot.
Read in the name of Allah who taught by the pen. He taught the human being what he did not
know”

Muhammad PBUH sys, "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave."

Knowledge is identified in Islam as worship.

9. Women's Right
Many of the human rights violations are committed against women in this world.

According to the law of Islam, women have right to own property, business, finance, vote,
inheritance, education and also to participate in political and legal affairs.

"If any do deeds of righteousness - be they male or female - and have faith, they will enter
Heaven, and not the least iniustice will be done to them"

10. Protection to honor

The Holy Quran 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)

Other Rights:

o Right to earn Livelihood

o Right to healthcare
o Right to participate in public affairs
o Right to peace making
o Right to basic needs and standards
o Economic and social Rights in Islam