Lesson 3: Quran and Human Rights
Quran’s guidance in relation to the rights of people on earth is vast and multi-faceted. Justice is the negation of violence, oppression, homicide, abuse of power and tyranny. Here are the aspects of Human Rights as outlined in Quran.
Justice
Justice is the core of morality. Quran has strongly emphasized the significance and implementation of justice and equity. It is part of human virtue without which human rights can neither be safeguarded nor anyone can become socially productive. Quran says
“O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah”. (5:8)In Islam, rights have been conferred by God – no power in the world has the authority to make an amendment or change the rights confirmed by the Almighty. To this end, Quran says,“O Ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witness of Allah, even though it be against yourself or your parents or your kindred, whether a rich or poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (than ye are)." (4: 135)
“Those who do not judge by what God has sent down are the disbeliever." (5: 44)Even the Caliph is bound to fulfill these rights given by Allah. The administration of justice during the tenure of the first four Caliphs in Islamic history set an example of equality by holding themselves amenable to the orders of a legally appointed judge. In Islam, the Caliph is accountable to Allah. He does not act on his free will nor does he enjoy any special status or privileges. He has to present himself like any ordinary man if the court summons him. Caliph Umar and Caliph Ali, in cases filed against them, appeared personally before the judge with the appellant.
An incident reflecting justice from Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) life reflects the connection of justice and morality. In Medina, an influential woman from the Banu Makhzoum tribe committed a theft. She was ordered to submit to the punishment of the severing of her left hand, prescribed by Quran. Since the subject belonged to the privileged class, her tribesmen approached Osama Bin Zaid (RA), who was held in high esteem by the prophet, to intercede for her; this led to the displeasure of the prophet who in turn said,
“Would you intervene in the punishment prescribed by Allah? What has been the cause of the doom of the previous nations is that when a thief of noble origin was caught, he was set free, whereas, a thief of humble origin was subjected to punishment”.The Quran says,
"we verily sent our messengers with clear proofs and revealed with them the scripture and the balance (of right and wrong), the mankind may observe right measure (justice).”(57:25)In Islam, there is justice for everyone. There is no discrimination on the basis of power or position. Islam has therefore uprooted all the sources of evil. Nobody is above the law, even the Prophet and his family are not exempted from it. The Islamic community is governed by the Divine law of Allah. Man on earth is the representative of God. He fulfills His commands with justice, and Islam recognizes the rights of the non-Muslims living in the Islamic territory in the same way.
Since Islam is a religion of tolerance, the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) did not believe in forcing or compelling people of other faiths to embrace Islam. Quran says
“Let there be no compulsion in religion."(2:256)Non-Muslim citizens of an Islamic state are treated with justice. They enjoy the freedom to practice their religion. Full security and protection of their lives, property and religion is given by the state. All the churches, temples and synagogues are granted judicial autonomy. Their civil cases are decided in accordance with their own laws. Islam treats non-Muslims equally as its Muslim citizens.
