HUMAN RIGHTS IN ISLAM
Every society must ensure for its citizens the rights that guarantee for them their basic needs and security, and enable them to feel a sense of belonging and attachment to the larger social group. Individuals need to feel secure and have a sense of belonging in order to perform their tasks and duties in a satisfactory manner.
Presently, three distinct trends are discernable in our global society. The first trend exaggerates the right of the individual over the society. This trend gives the individual full freedom to do as he pleases with minimal restrictions. Unfortunately this leads to a chaotic social situation because when unlimited freedom is granted to the individual, selfish desires predominate and bring conflicting results. The entire society suffers immensely from greed and selfishness. This trend is found in the liberal, democratic, capitalist society.
The second trend, contrary to the above, advocates the rights of the society over the individual. The latter is stripped of his individual rights. Only rights that serve the ruling regime are granted to the individuals, according to the dominant ideology of the ruling class or group. This trend is prevalent in communist and totalitarian societies.
The third trend, ideally, neither emphasizes the right of the society over the individual, nor the right of the individual over the society. Each is given its due right in life according to the given system. Rights and obligations are governed and controlled by strict rules and conditions. In this trend, the public interest is given priority over the interest of an individual only in case of a serious conflict. In this booklet we shall address human rights in the light of perfectly balanced system of laws of Islam.
These rights are based on revelations from the Divine Book of Muslims, the Glorious Qur'an and from the Sunnah, the practice of Allah’s Messenger () the two main sources of Islamic life and jurisprudence. Both aim to produce an ideal individual in an ideal society; all interact with each other to produce the harmony of the individuals with God their Creator, with themselves, others, the society in general, and other societies all over the globe. We firmly believe that the application of the individual and social principles of the third trend, when guided by the perfect revealed laws from God, will definitely make humanity happier and more prosperous. The application of these principles will enable the society to achieve peace and security. These social rights and principles are not a result of previous experiences, social ideologies, temporary and immediate needs and/or political drives and motives: rather they are from the Beneficent and the Omniscient for human’s progress to happiness in this life and salvation in the Hereafter. Our firm belief in the truth and justice of Islamic rights and principles is due to the fact that God, the Most Merciful and only Creator of human, reveals them. He knows well what suits His creation at all times, what benefits or harms, what makes him happy or sad, what makes him successful or miserable. By His knowledge and beneficence, He has legislated what suits best and fulfils the essential needs of all.
His creatures on earth and makes their lives successful, secure and joyful. The sources of Islamic law did not overlook the needs and rights of the society and public interest. In fact, God Almighty states in the Glorious Qur'an: We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of Our Creation. (17:70) Man will only gain this honour and these privileges when he fulfils his obligations and renders the rights due to their owners. In order to execute the role of this special place on earth, there is a need for specific tasks to be performed by specific individuals. This concept is illustrated by the Almighty Allah in the Glorious Qur'an: It is He who has made you (His) agents and inheritors of the earth. He has raised you in ranks, some above others, that He may try you in the gifts He has given you. This is because Your Lord is quick in punishment. Yet, He is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (7:165)
