At the core of Islam is the focus of an individual’s relationship with God, their Creator. It encourages a believer to have sustained awareness of God which is a key to lasting happiness. Islam teaches that God is the source of peace. By focusing on this important relationship and following God’s guidance, believers will be able to acquire inner peace and tranquillity. Allah says:
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ وَحَمَلْنَاهُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنَاهُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَفَضَّلْنَاهُمْ عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلًا
“We have certainly dignified the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created with definite preference.” (Surat Al-Isra 17:70)
In this respect, there is no difference between the life of a Muslim and a non-Muslim since the lives of both are to be protected as a sacred trust. Someone who kills another person is guilty of killing all of humanity whether the victim is a Muslim or not. Such is the value of a single human life, that the Qur’an equates the taking of even one human life unjustly, with killing all of humanity. Allah says:
مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنَّهُ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا ۚ
“Thus, We decreed upon the children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless as legal punishment for murder or corruption in the land, it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one soul, it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:32)
All humans are equal, they are equal in the eyes of the law. Thus everyone has the right to justice. Justice before the law is to be strictly impartial without regard to religion, race, position, wealth or any other This is another important and valuable right given in Islam to all people, irrespective of race, religion.
Here are some Human Rights in Islam:
- Human rights emphasize the right to privacy
- Human rights see you will be accountable
- Human rights benefitting the community
- Human rights enrich respecting parents
- Human rights earning an honest living
- Human rights taking care of orphans
- Human rights opposing oppression
- Human rights put your trust in God
- Human rights speaking the truth
- Human rights provide for all family
- Human rights have a noble purpose
- Human rights standing up for justice
- Human rights kindness to neighbours
- Human rights to personal responsibility
- Human rights to protection of reputation
- Human rights having mindfulness of God
Islam has great placed emphasis on the value of all life and has issued clear warnings against unjustified violence. For this reason, true believers are the most reluctant to take life in any situation, doing so only when it is necessary for the safety of others. The taking of a criminal’s life by the state to administer justice is required to uphold the rule of law and the peace and security of society. Allah says:
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِ سُلْطَانًا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّي الْقَتْلِ
“Do not kill the soul which Allah has made sacred except by right of justice. Whoever is killed unjustly, We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed the limits in taking life.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:33)
Islam requires that Muslims possess upright character and deal justly with the entire human race, irrespective of their ethnicity, nationality, creed and whether they are a friend or foe. The concept of good life depends upon the protection of fundamental liberties. The Holy Qur’an is a book of knowledge and wisdom it is the duty of the state to make adequate arrangements for teaching the Holy Qur’an at various levels of education right from primary to university.
Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
- “Men not created without a purpose.” (Surah Muminun, 23:115)
- “Man is accountable for his actions.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:1)
- “Nor take life – which Allah has made sacred – except for just cause” (Quran 17:33)
- “…Eat and drink; but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the wasters.” (Quran 7: 31)
- “…if any of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds (by obeying God), then surely, He is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 6:54)
- “If any do deeds of righteousness – be they male or female – and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them.” (Quran 4:124)
- “And those who malign believing men and women undeservedly bear upon themselves the guilt of slander and a manifest sin.” (Quran 33:58)
This life is an ultimate testing ground and although we cannot control everything that happens to us, we can control how we react. Islam encourages a person to focus on what is in their control, to be grateful to God for blessings, and to be patient during hardships. Allah says:
إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ
“Verily, you do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills. He is most knowing of the rightly guided.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:56)
Islam guarantees the right to life for every human being, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims. Every human life is sacred in Islam and every person has been granted God-given fundamental and universal rights at the time of their birth. Allah says:
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّلْعَالِمِين
“And his signs are the creation of heavens and earth and the diversity of your tongues and colours. Surely, there are signs in this for all the worlds.” (Surah Ar-Rum 30:22)
Islam declares all people equal in terms of human values, and all individuals are equal before the Islamic code of law. Its judgments and legal penalties apply to all races and classes of people without any distinction, and without any person, group or nation acquiring immunity or privilege. Allah says:
إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ
“Verily, you do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills. He is most knowing of the rightly guided.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:56)
Human dignity is manifest since the very moment of man’s creation. Allah (SWT) created man in the best and most perfected form ever. Muslims believe that God is the sole Creator and Sustainer of humankind and the universe. He has given each human being dignity and honour and the human rights and privileges we enjoy are granted by Him. The rights granted by God are designed for everybody.
