Human Rights

Owing to their inadequate knowledge of the Quran and the horrifying and fanatical behaviour of some of the so-called “adherents of Islam”, the world at large believes that there are no  “Muslim” values and cultures compatible with the principles of human rights. In fact, the Quran established, promoted and made obligatory human rights way before the United Nations incorporated them in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec 10, 1948, or the U.S. Constitution (1787) or the Magna Carta (1215).

People believe that it was in the 16th and 17th Century (and onwards) that the “West” was made aware that they had fundamental rights and civil liberties. When subjects demanded these stubbornly-withheld privileges, the rulers in charge harshly rejected and oppressed them. So we had the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution, etc. With each Revolution, the people won new recognition but it was only though the ordeal of battle and bloodshed that compromises and rights developed.

On the other hand, Submission (true Islam) took a different route by laying out these rights from the onset.

 

[22:41] They are those who, if we appointed them as rulers on earth, they would establish the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat), and would advocate righteousness and forbid evil. GOD is the ultimate ruler.

When God Himself decrees rights, they cannot be modified or revoked by any human or group. It is a prerequisite that every Submitter (Muslim) leader should apply these rights in agreement with the requirements of the Quran. They have to be accepted and followed as they are part and parcel of our Faith. The decree of the Quran is undeniable and clear.

[5:44] We have sent down the Torah, containing guidance and light. Ruling in accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and the priests, as dictated to them in GOD's scripture, and as witnessed by them. Therefore, do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD's revelations, are the disbelievers. [5:47] The people of the Gospel shall rule in accordance with GOD's revelations therein. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD's revelations are the wicked.

 

Submission is an all-encompassing way of life that stresses both the spiritual and pragmatic sides of life. It encourages a lifestyle of religious devotion, justice, patience and unity which is for our benefit here and in the all-important Hereafter. The true worth of a human is his righteousness and not his might, influence or capacity.

Some of the rights of humans ordained by the Quran follow:

Right to life: No one has the right to violate another’s right to live.

[5:32] Because of this, we decreed for the Children of Israel that anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people. And anyone who spares a life it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people. Our messengers went to them with clear proofs and revelations, but most of them, after all this, are still transgressing.

Right to equality: There is no discrimination on the basis of gender, colour, race, nationality, nobility of birth etc. Your piety, righteousness and moral excellence are what will count.

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