All human beings are born free and equal in status and respect. Human rights are the basic rights that belong to every person in the world, from birth to death. They apply no matter where a person is from, what he believes or how he chooses to live his life. They can never be taken away, although they can sometimes be restricted in some cases if it comes to national security for example if he is breaking the law and something related to it. Allah says:
وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ إِذَا عَاهَدتُّمْ وَلَا تَنقُضُوا الْأَيْمَانَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْكُمْ كَفِيلًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ
“And fulfil the covenant (of) Allah when you have taken at, and (do) not break oaths after their confirmation while verily you have made Allah over you a surety. Indeed, Allah knows what you do.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:91)
Islam’s contribution to human rights is best appreciated when viewed against the backdrop of world history as well as the realities of modern times. Social, racial, gender, and religious inequities continue to exist. It is the responsibility of the state to provide an organizational structure through the well-established judicial system, administrative control and a security system necessary for the social existence of the citizens. 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)
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 focus on what is in your control & try best
- Human rights to refuse obedience to oppressive rulers
- Human rights teach us to practice in our daily life
- Human rights are considered as an examination
- Human rights lead to a balanced way of living
- Human rights bring civilization and happiness
- Human rights are to know the purpose of life
- 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
- Human rights mean everything is from God
- Human rights to participate in public affairs
- Human rights to struggle for just social order
- Human rights to sanity and intellectual freedom
- Human rights to enjoin virtue and eradicate evil
- Human rights intimate next life as well is our faith
- Human rights recall God’s Mercy and fear punishment
Religion Islam lay down some basic human rights for all human beings whether he is a believer or on non-believer, and whether he belongs to the same country or place or any other country. Whatever be the case, he/she has some basic human rights because he/she is a human being, which should be recognized by every Muslim. Allah says:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وُدًّا
“Verily, for those who have believed and done righteous deeds, the Most Merciful will appoint for them affection.” (Surah Maryam 19:96)
Islam has laid down universal and fundamental rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be observed and respected under all circumstances. These basic rights are associated with Islamic faith and belief because they are divinely ordained. And if anyone violates this sanctity of human blood by killing a soul without justification, the Quran equates it to the killing of entire mankind.
The significance of Human Rights according to 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 in their wealth, there is acknowledged right for the needy and the destitute” (Quran, 51:12)
Every human being is designated to his integrity, honour, and reputation during his life and after his death. Every individual in an Islamic society, regardless of his faith or religious connection, position or social status, has certain inflexible rights, which all people have to follow and accept no matter to what religion or faith he/she belongs to. 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)
A Muslim believer is obligated to oppose injustice and oppression no matter who the victim happens to be. Muslims believes that Allah has created all mankind equal as human beings, and no one can claim superiority in this respect, whatever his nationality, family, wealth or gender may be. These basic rights are based on values like dignity, integrity, equality, respect, and independence.
Islam provides many human rights for an Individual:
- Right to Freedom: Islam has strictly forbidden the fundamental practice to conquer a free man and make him a slave or to sell him into slavery.
- The right of Equality among Human Beings: Islam recognizes the principle of absolute equality between men irrespective of colour, race or nationality. Racism is not allowed in Islam.
- Right to Equal Justice: Islam is the religion of peace and Justice.
- The right of Honor and Respect: Islam protects honour, in Islam insulting others and making fun of them is not allowed whether a person is a believer or non-believer.
- Right to Basic Necessities of Life: Islam emphasizes helping the poor and needy who needs your help if you are more fortunate.
- Rights to Privacy: It is a basic right of every citizen that his private life should be respected. He must enjoy moments of privacy at his home.
- Right to Life: The first and the most important basic human right is the right to live and respect human life.
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)
In Islam, it is forbidden to spy on other people’s private lives. We should respect the privacy of others so do they will respect us. The rights of humans granted by Allah cannot be withdrawn from any race, party or individual. No one has the right to withdraw them. They are not simple basic rights only to be conferred on paper but they need to be practised. And those who have not gotten their rights in this life will receive them on the Day of Judgment.