The Sunday Mail
THE Holy Qur’aan is that Divine Revelation which is all encompassing and even lays down in clear terms, the basic human history and the need for humans to accord fellow humans certain basic rights at all times.
A study of the Holy Qur’aan will manifest it’s style and presentation of the subject and one will observe with great interest how it stresses and promotes the basic human rights.
Enlisted below are some of the major fundamental rights laid down by The Almighty:
Right to life
Regarding the first and foremost most fundamental basic human right – the right to life – the Holy Qur’aan exhorts: “Whosoever kills any human being (without any valid reason like manslaughter or any disruption and chaos on earth), it is though he had killed all the mankind. And whoever saves a life it is though as he had saved the lives of all mankind” (Ch 5 : v 32).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) further explained the above principle by saying, “The greatest sins are to associate some thing with God Almighty and to kill a human being”.
Allah Almighty declares in the Holy Qur’aan: “Do not kill a soul which Allah has made sacred except through the due process of law” (Ch 6 : v 151).
Islam further explains that this inviolable right to life is not granted only to its adherents or its citizens, but it has been granted to all human beings without consideration of their religion, race, colour or gender.
Right to equality
(in Humankind)
The Holy Qur’aan recognises absolute equality between human beings irrespective of any distinction of nationality, race, colour or gender.
God Almighty has stipulated in the Holy Qur’aan in unambiguous words: “O Mankind We have created you from a male and female, and We made you as nations and tribes so that you maybe able to recognise each other. Indeed the most honourable among you before God is the most God-conscious”. (Ch 49 : v 13).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) further explained this and said: “No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Neither a white man has any superiority over a black man nor does the black man have superiority over a white man. You are all the children of Adam and Adam was created from soil.”
Right to justice
This is a very important right which God Almighty has bestowed on all human beings, believer or non-believer, friend or foe.
The Holy Qur’aan states that the very purpose of sending of Messengers (Prophets) and the establishment of Islam is the promotion of universal justice. God Almighty says in the Holy Qur’aan: “We sent our messengers with clear teachings and sent down along with them the Book and the Balance so that society may be established on the basis of justice” (Ch 57 : v 25).
He further says: “O Believers stand for the cause of God and as witness to justice and remember that enmity of some people should not lead you to injustice. Be just as it is nearest to God consciousness” (Ch 5 : v 8 ).
This makes it obligatory that a believer in God Almighty must uphold justice in all circumstances. He should be just not only to his own people but to all people, even to his enemies.
Right to freedom of
conscience and religion
The Holy Qur’aan asserts that Islam alone is the right path of thought and action. Yet it clearly mentions that there is no compulsion in accepting or rejecting a religion. “There is no compulsion in (submitting to) the religion” (Ch 2 : v 256). Every individual has been granted basic freedom to accept a religion of his or her choice.
Right to personal freedom
No person can be deprived of his or her personal freedom except in pursuance of justice. Therefore, there cannot be any arbitrary or preventive arrest without the permission of a duly appointed judge and in the light of a solid proof.
Right to protection
of honour
Every person has been assured basic human dignity which should not be violated at any cost. If someone attacks the honour of a person, the culprit will be punished according to the law.
The Holy Qur’aan says: “Do not let one group of people make fun of another group”. It further states: “Do not defame one another”, the Qur’aan goes on to say: “And do not backbite or speak ill of one another” (Ch 49 : v 11-12).
Another important right granted by The Almighty is respect for the honour and chastity of women. This must be respected and safeguarded under all circumstances and cannot be violated even in situations of war. Further, all promiscuous relationships have been strictly forbidden by Islam and the Holy Qur’aan says in this respect: “Do not (even) approach the bounds of fornication” (Ch 17 : v 32)
Right of association
The right to co-operate with everyone in the matters of virtue and goodness and the right to oppose evil and not co-operate in acts of aggression is enshrined in the following verse of the Holy Qur’aan:
“And co-operate with one another on matters of righteousness and God-consciousness and do not co-operate with one another on matters of sin and enemity” (Ch 5 : v 2 )
Right to security against deprivation
The Holy Qur’aan lays down: “and in their wealth there is an acknowledged portion for the needy and the deprived,” (Ch 70 : v 25). A believer has a duty to support and help the less priveldged and needy persons and sections of the society.
In conclusion, it can be stressed that the basic human rights granted by Islam have been laid down by none other than God Almighty himself. Thus, these basic rights assume Divine sanction and therefore have to be respected and promoted under all circumstances, as a religious obligation and moral duty.
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected].
