Human Rights in Islam

Submitted to: Ma’am Abida Hassan

Submitted by: Ahmadfaras
Asad Hayat
Zeshan Khalid,
Waqas Saeed
Section: A
Subject: Human Rights
 Human Rights in Islam

Introduction

When we talk on human right in Islam we really means these rights have been granted by
the ALLAHA. They have not been granted by the any King or any Legislative assembly.
Those rights which are granted by king or legislative assembly these rights can change
and also violate by the people as they wish but those rights which are given by ISLAM
these rights cannot be violate and there is no power on the earth who can challenge the
authority of GOD. He is absolute.

It is to be understood very clearly that basic concept of Islam regarding the human right is
based on equality, equity, dignity, and respect for mankind. In the holy QURAN has said
humans are superior from all the creations. If we see it was the first religion which gave
the charter regarding the human rights. ISLAM gave the ideal charter fourteen centuries
ago. These rights aim at conferring honor, dignity respect and also eliminate the injustice,
exploiting and oppression. Islam has granted the equal right for the each and every
person. Islam gives the equal right what the person deserves. Islam protects the Muslims
and also the non-Muslims. Human rights are the integral part of the Islam. It is
obligatory on all Muslim governments to implement within their framework, also in non-
Islamic governments the head of the Muslim societies to implement with the framework.
IN Islam last prophet Muhammad (SAW) is considered as the charter of human right
which are, right to life, right to freedom, right to own property, right to social security,
right to education, right to protection against torture, and are considered the most
important factors for a human.

Every individual in an Islamic society regardless of faith or religion connection, position,

status has certain inflexible rights, which all people have to follow and accept no matter
to what religion or faith he or she belong to.

ALLAH says in Quran:

And those who do not judge by what ALLAHA has laid down they are surely
disbelievers (Quran;5;44)
Islam condemns the abuse of power no may be arrested, exiled, punished or his freedom
restricted without legal action. No one may be subjected to physical or psychological
torment, medical experimentation, or any other humiliating treatment. And it is not
permitted to executive authority to issue exceptional laws.

IN Quran ALLAHA says : ”o you have believed, stan up firmly for God and witness with
justice , and do not let hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just that is
nearer to righteousness,:” (Asad Hayat)

Literature Review

In Islam, the human rights have been granted by the Allah it has not been given by any
Legislative Assembly or by any king but it is divine. As the Human Rights in Islam has
been granted by Almighty Allah so they cannot be changed unless the injunction of
Allah. No power on the earth can undo the Human Rights given in Islam, neither any
king nor any Legislative Assembly. Equality, dignity and respect, these are the things
upon which the Human Rights in Islam are based on. Islam is that region which has
define the human rights to full extent with strong injunction. In Holy Quran, there are
several verses in which the Allah has stated about the human rights, the right to life, right
to Liberty right to property etc. are such rights which the Allah has granted the mankind.
The Human Rights in Islam are the compulsory part of Islam. Islam give strong
injunction to the followers and to the Islamic state to impose and make sure the
providence of such human rights. The Islamic state has to make his framework in which
the human rights as per mentioned by Islam will be prevailed. The holy Prophet (peace be
upon him) has explained and demonstrated the human rights in Islam. In his last sermon
he focused mainly upon the human rights. At his last sermon, he stated that there is no
difference between a black or white, there is no difference between an Arabic speaking or
non-Arabic speaking to Allah all the human beings are equal but only those are at high
grounds who are pious. Islam also prevail the human rights to the non-Muslims. So, the
citizen living in an Islamic States although non-Muslim also have to get all Human
Rights as per Islam has stated. Allah does not allow any Muslim to treat differently to any
non-Muslim although the non-Muslim is non-believer and live against the orders of
Allah.
“O humanity! Behold, we have created you all out of a male and a female, and have
created you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily,
the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him.
Behold, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware” (Quran, 49:13)

The right to life, Islam grand the right to life to every individual on the earth. For Allah
all the human is equal despite of any difference among them regarding race, color, tribe,
age, religion. All people are born equal and before Allah all human is his creature. In
Islam and as per Islamic legislation a man cannot be set free who has smashed the right
of life of any other person, only Allah has the right to take the life of any individual in the
universe.1

“Saving a life it is as though he had saved the lives all mankind, whosoever kills a human
being without any reason, it is as though he had killed all mankind” (Quran, 5:32)

Right to property, every individual in the world crave to own the property. Islam has
granted this right in a detailed manner. Islam allows any such ownership of property
which has been obtained by the Islamic legal means and such property which do not
damage other mankind. The law regarding the division of property which among children
are also mentioned in Islam and the main difference between the right of property in
Islam is that Islam give the inherent right to daughter.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 11

”Allah (thus) directs you as regards your children's (inheritance): to the male a portion
equal to that of two females: if only daughters two or more their share is two-thirds of the
inheritance; if only one her share is a half. For parents a sixth share of the inheritance to
each if the deceased left children; if no children and the parents are the (only) heirs the
mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers (or sisters) the mother has a sixth. (The
distribution in all cases is) after the payment of legacies and debts. Ye know not whether

1
Dr. Abroo Aman Andrabi. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): The Man and the Message, Milli Publications, New
Delhi, 2010
your parents or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These are settled portions
ordained by Allah and Allah is All-Knowing All-Wise.”

Freedom to trade or business is also well defined. Islam allow all individual to carry on
or to conduct the business activity in order to earn a Halal money. The money or the
wealth obtained by illegal unlawful means is considered Haram and Allah has mentioned
about the punishments who earn Haram. In this way the elements to earn by illegal means
that are fraud, misrepresentation, robbery etc. are set aside this also protect the Liberty
and the property of another person. Right to movement, Islam allow every individual to
move freely to any part of the world in order to leave his life. There is no restriction upon
any individual as per Islam to stay or to the restrict at specific place. In fact, Islam has
presented and granted the human rights to Mankind far before the modern era or pre-
Modern era. It has been granted for more than 1400 years ago.2 (Zeshan Khalid)

Importance of Human Rights in Islam

In Islam Life is the gift from ALLAH, and for the protection for the gift ALLAH
established the rights for individuals to maintain peace and stability in society. Before the
Islam there is no rights for the human beings in the world, Daughters buried alive and
inferior was slaves of superiors but After the Islam, ALLAH maintain rights for every
individual and said all Humans are equal in Islam. In Islam human rights have been
granted by the ALLAH and not by any parliament, king nor by any sovereign. These
human rights are the part and parcel of the Islamic faith and everybody claiming to be
Muslim irrespective of his status as head of the state or an ordinary civilian has to accept,
recognize and enforce them. These rights are permanent and there is no alterations or
modifications. Although Islamic state may be set up in any part of the earth, Islam dose
not seek to restrict human rights to the geographical limits of its own state. Islam has laid
down some universal fundamentals human rights for humanity as a whole. Islam protects
every individual’s rights in every manner. The life of individual is very important in

2
Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. Human Rights in Islam
Islam and Islam said the murder of a person is equals to murder of all human Beings.
Islam maintain the rights of neighbors, Parents, Women, children etc.

There are some important Rights which are given by Islam.

Justice:

Justice is very important right of people. Islam maintain justice in every step. In Quran
ALLAH says

“O, ye who believe, be steadfast in the cause of ALLAH, bearing witness in equity and
let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise that with justice. Be always just, that
is nearer to righteousness. And fear ALLAH. Surely, ALLAH is aware of what you do.”3

Freedom in every Aspect of Life

Islam gives full freedom in every aspect of life and no ruler can enslave. Every person
has a right to go anywhere he/she wants, gives freedom in choosing things etc.
(AhmadFaras)

Conclusion:

Islam prescribes a complete charter of rights for humanity ranging from moral to
religious, economic, social, and political rights. This concept of human rights originates
from the commandments of ALLAH, which were conveyed through the holly Prophet ‫ﷺ‬.
In islam rights and duties are interdependent and complement each other. In fact the list
of rights provided is very long as the Holy Book covers each and every aspect of human
life. The guidance is provided by ALLAH in the shape of holly Quran and sunnah of the
prophet ‫ ﷺ‬and everybody will be asked about what he did for others, as said

“And every soul will be fully rewarded for what it did. And He knows full what they do”4

Islamic concept of fundamental human rights is not identical to the western concept, as in
west the fundamental rights are based on different theories provided by different
philosophers of different times and state can snatch and restrict these rights whenever it

3
Surah Al Maida 5:8
4
Surah-z-Aumar 39:70
likes. Also rihts are treated as more superior than duties, on the other hand Quranic
teachings are different and more emphasis is laid on fulfillment of their duties, without
demanding any reward or glory from the society. Here the major duties of the believers in
regard to their fellow beings may be considered as the latter’s fundamental rights and
public authorities have no power to change the groung rules of the society. The Sharia is
the main source of authority and all the public authorities are there to implement and
enforce those rules and rights. The Holy Quran is the book that has guidance for all and
in fact it is the manual for the humans. The main difference in Islamic and Western
Perspective is Islam looks at human rights in the perspective of man’s total obedience to
ALLAH, whereas the Western concept is totally secular, which is based on man’s
relation with the state as citizen but the concept of islam in regard to human rights is
based upon equality, dignity and respect for humankind. It was islam in the history of
mankind that islam did away all biases and discriminations on the basis of wealth, clan
and tribe, language, colour and caste etc.

All fundamental rights have been neatly summarized in the famous last sermon of the
Holy Propher ‫ ﷺ‬as,

“ALLAH says: O mankind we have created you from a male and a female and We have
made you into families and tribes that you may recognize one another, verily, the most
honorable in the sight of ALLAH is he who is most righteous amongst you. A colored
man has no preference over a white man, nor a white man over a colored man, nor an
Arab over a non-Arab, nor non-Arab over an Arab except for righteousness. O people,
your lives, your honour and your properties are to be respected by one another thill the
day of reckoning comes, they are to be respected as you respect this day ( Youm ul Adha)
and this month and this City”.

(Waqas Saeed)