The main attribute of the Islamic state is the restoration of human rights. Before Islam, the concept of human rights was just a myth in all the kingdoms of the planet. Society was divided into different classes and people were deprived of human rights and their life was worse than beasts. In this dark period, the voice of respect for humanity was raised in the barren valley of Mecca and all the privileged class became its enemies. The first person in the history of the world is Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) who declared the implementation of human rights mandatory for a state. Human rights are as follows.
1. Preservation of Life
Every human being has been granted life by Allah Almighty. The right to terminate life only belongs to Allah. No one has the right to take someone’s life. If a person takes someone’s life without a valid reason, he spreads corruption in the land. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to protect the life of every citizen.
It is divine guidance:
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ
(Surat Bani Isareel, Ayat 33)
“Do not kill any soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right”
مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِي.
(Surat Al-Maida, Ayat 32)
“And whoever kills a soul, unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely “
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Your lives, your property, and your honor are as sacred to each other as this sacred day of yours.” (Bukhari)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said that even if all the creatures of the heavens and the earth agree upon killing someone unjustly, Allah will not let them get away with it.
Different Forms of Killing
1- Infanticide
Before Islam, the people of Arabia used to kill their children out of fear of poverty. They considered the birth of daughters as a disgrace and buried them alive. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave innocent children the right to live and condemned this act.
It is divine guidance to protect the innocent:
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓاْ أَوْلَٰدَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَٰقٍۢ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ
(Surat Al An-aam, Ayat 151)
“And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin”
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2- Killing of a Believer (Momin)
The killing of a believer is a severe crime and a divine commandment. The person who intentionally kills a believer will face the wrath and curse of Allah, and Allah has prepared severe punishment for such a person in the Hereafter.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the destruction of the entire world is easier for Allah than the killing of a Muslim. He also said that the person who helps in the murder of a believer, even if it is a small amount, will be brought on the Day of Judgment in such a state that “Allah’s mercy is distant from him.”
3- Suicide
Preserving life does not only mean that one should not kill others but in Islam, it is also prohibited to intentionally take one’s own life. Just as taking the life of others is prohibited, taking one’s own life is also punishable in Islam. Allah commands: “And do not kill yourselves.” (Quran 4:29)
4- Killing a Non-Muslim
In Islamic law, Muslims and non-Muslims are considered equal as humans. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that whoever killed a non-Muslilm, Allah forbade Jannah for him.
Another hadith states: “The person who kills a non-Muslim combatant will never be able to enjoy the pleasures of Paradise.”
2. Preservation of Honor and Dignity
Allah has created human beings worthy of respect and honour. It is because of this honour that humans are considered the noblest of all creations. Therefore, Islam has commanded the protection of human dignity and honour.
In Surah Al-Hujurat verse 11, Allah has emphasized the sanctity of human dignity.
- Do not make fun of anyone.
- Do not mock or ridicule others.
- Do not use derogatory or insulting names for others.
- Avoid suspicion and backbiting.
- Do not search for the faults and flaws of others.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that dishonouring and humiliating others will have severe consequences on the Day of Judgment. Islam has given great importance to the protection of the honor of women and has prescribed severe punishment for those who attempt to violate their honor. The divine guidance states:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْغَافِلَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ لُعِنُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
(Surat Noor Ayat 23)
“Those who accuse chaste women, indiscreet but believing, they shall be cursed in this world and in the Hereafter; and there awaits them a grievous chastisement”
During his farewell pilgrimage, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of protecting the honor of women in the same way as the protection of life. He said that just as the protection of life is necessary, the protection of honor is also essential.
Furthermore, there is a Hadith (saying of the Prophet) in which he said that if anyone has wronged another person by dishonoring them or committing any other injustice against them, they should seek forgiveness before the day of judgment. If they do not have any good deeds to compensate for their wrong, then they will have to bear the burden of the victim’s sins. However, if they do any good deeds, they will be rewarded for them.
3. Protection of Wealth
Humans have a great love for their wealth, in addition to their life and honor. It is a means of survival in the second life. It is the means of completing the necessities of life. Therefore, Islam has also guaranteed the protection of wealth. There is divine guidance:
لا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ
(Surat Nis’ah Ayat 29)
” And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly”
In this noble verse, all forms of earning wealth through illegitimate means, such as theft, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, deception, and betrayal, have been declared as Haram (forbidden). These acts are punishable, and the punishment is proportionate to the severity of the crime. Regarding forcibly taking someone’s land, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has advised that if anyone wrongfully takes even a pillow’s worth of land from someone, a collar of seven earths will be put around his neck and thrown.
4.Privacy (protection of private life)
Islam has ensured complete protection of the private life of citizens. No one has the right to enter someone’s house without permission. If the four walls of a house are not protected, then it becomes impossible for one to breathe freely, and the four walls of the house will turn into a prison. Islam has also provided complete protection for the preservation of life, and it is a divine guidance. In Surah Noor; “O believers! Do not enter houses other than your own unless you get permission from them.”
The above verse from Surah Al-Nur provides valuable guidance for the protection of personal privacy.
- Do not enter someone’s house without their permission in a respectful manner.
- Even if no one is present in the house, do not enter without clear permission.
- If permission to enter a house is not given, then it is best to leave.
- Places that are not private residences, such as offices, hotels, shops, etc., do not require permission to enter.
- Similarly, if someone enters another’s house with permission but has finished their task or visit, they should not prolong their stay, as the host may have other important matters to attend to.
- When standing at someone’s door, stand to one side, facing the door, without peeking. The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed that if someone sees someone else peering inside their house, they can hit them without being blamed.
Similarly, gossiping is equivalent to interfering in someone’s life. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also forbade rulers from spying. In a hadith, he instructed that when rulers go in search of the causes of doubt among the people, they often end up spoiling things for them. It is clear that any state that spies on its citizens is not a good one.
5.Protection of personal freedom:
In an Islamic state, it is not permissible to imprison or detain any citizen without proof of a crime. Personal freedom is a fundamental right of every citizen, as stated in the Hadith. In Islam, no one can be imprisoned without justice.
Once, during a sermon in Masjid Nabawi, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was informed that a person had been arrested without any evidence of a crime, and he was talking about it. When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was informed about this, he immediately ordered the release of the person. This was Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) judicial method, which was to investigate the crime thoroughly and not punish anyone until the whole truth was uncovered, and the perpetrator was proven guilty. He did not punish anyone without evidence. The example of the goat is clear in this regard. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used different methods and approaches to investigate the crime, and when it was certain that the goat was the culprit, he ordered mercy for it.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed: “As much as possible, save Muslims (citizens) from punishment, and if there is a way to avoid punishment, then release them. It is better to make a mistake in releasing a person than to make a mistake in punishing him.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has stated a principle clearly that the limits set by Sharia should not be disregarded based on doubts and suspicions.
The preservation of individual freedom is given such importance in the Quran that even the Messenger of Allah cannot take it away from people, let alone any other ruler. This is divine guidance.
“No human being has been given a more exalted status than that Allah should grant him revelation, wisdom and prophethood and then he should say to people, ‘Become my worshippers rather than Allah’s.’
6.The right to express differences of opinion.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ
(Surat Nis’ah Ayat 59)
“O people! Those of you who have embraced faith, obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you. If you have a dispute concerning any matter, refer it to Allah and the Messenger if you are indeed believers in Allah and the Last Day.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to consult with his companions regarding matters of the state. There were also instances where his companions disagreed with his opinions, such as during the Battle of Uhud.
During the Battle of Badr, the Prophet directed the Muslims to take a stand at a particular location. One of the companions asked whether this instruction was from Allah or the Prophet’s personal opinion. The Prophet replied that it was his own opinion. Another companion suggested that the location was not suitable and proposed an alternative location. The Prophet accepted the companion’s opinion.
7. Freedom of Belief
Islam disapproves of the transformation of faith by force and has made a clear statement that there is no compulsion in religion.
لَآ اِکْرَاہَ فِی الدِّیْنِ
(Surat Al Bakarah Ayat 256)
“There is no coercion in religion.”
وَ لَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَاٰمَنَ مَنْ فِی الْاَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِیْعًاؕ-اَفَاَنْتَ تُكْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتّٰى یَكُوْنُوْا مُؤْمِنِیْنَ
(Surat Younus Ayat 99)
“And if your Lord had willed, all the people on earth would have believed, then He would have forced the people until they became believers.”
It is a divine guidance by Allah, لَكُمۡ دِينُكُمۡ وَلِيَ دِينِ which states that “You have your own religion, and I have my own religion.”
لَسْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِمُصَيْطِرٍ
(Surat Al- Gashi’ah Ayat 22)
“So there is no lie about them.”
وَّاِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَاغُ ۗ
(Surat Al- Imran Ayat 20)
“So, if these people turn away from (Islam), there is no other responsibility on the Messenger of Allah except to convey the message.”
8. Right to raise voice against oppression
On the one hand, Islam has ordered the citizens not to oppress anyone and on the other hand, it has also given them a bait if they are oppressed, to raise their voice against it. It is said.
ا يُحِبُّ اللّٰهُ الۡجَــهۡرَ بِالسُّوۡٓءِ مِنَ الۡقَوۡلِ اِلَّا مَنۡ ظُلِمَؕ
(Surat Nisah Ayat 4)
“Allah does not like the publicizing of evil except the one who has been wronged.”
This verse indicates that a person who is being oppressed can protest against the injustice. There is a famous Hadith that says the best Jihad is to speak the truth in front of a tyrannical ruler.
Although the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the mercy for all mankind, no one could cause him harm. However, if anyone had a complaint against him, he would give them permission to express it and even offered himself as a way of compensation.
In the battle of Badr, he was correcting the lines, Hazrat Sawad was a little ahead of the line, he ordered him by pointing an arrow to be equal in the line, on which hazrat Sawad said! O Messenger of Allah! You have caused me pain even though Allah has sent you to establish justice. The Prophet (peace be upon him) immediately opened his blessed stomach and said, “Swad, take revenge.” Swad ran up and hugged the Prophet’s pure body and kissed his blessed stomach.
One person came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and presented his duty with harsh words. The companions were angry at his behavior. The Prophet said, “Let him speak. Let him speak. Whoever has a right to speak can speak.”
9. Human rights
The right of humanity is the foundation of justice and fairness, and it was the same right that existed in all the kingdoms of the world before the prophethood.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established justice and fairness, and it is his command that I have been given to establish justice among you.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said, “One day of justice from an upright leader is better than sixty years of worship.” Additionally, you have said, “Amongst all of God’s creation, the most beloved to Him is an upright leader and the most hated to Him is a tyrannical leader.”
If the life of Muhammad is studied, it becomes clear that he established justice and fairness between Muslims and non-Muslims. There is a famous case of the theft of a woman named Fatima from the Quraysh tribe. When the Prophet Muhammad was asked to intercede in the case, he became angry and gave a sermon, saying that nations before them were destroyed for leaving the rich unpunished while punishing the weak and poor. He declared that if his own daughter Fatima had committed theft, he would have cut off her hand as well.
10. The right to migrate
It is said;
وَأَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةٌ ۗ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
(Surat Muzammil Ayat 10)
“And Allah’s land is spacious. The patient will receive their reward incalculably.”
اَرْضُ اللّـٰهِ وَاسِعَةً فَـتُـهَاجِرُوْا فِيْـهَا
(Surat Nis’ah Ayat 97)
“Is Allah’s earth not spacious enough for you to migrate?”
11. Right to seek asylum
وَاِنۡ اَحَدٌ مِّنَ الۡمُشۡرِكِيۡنَ اسۡتَجَارَكَ فَاَجِرۡهُ
(Surat Tauba Ayat 6)
“If a polytheist (enemy) seeks refuge from you, give him refuge.”
12. Right to freedom of residence
Every citizen has the right to choose which part of the kingdom he wants to live in.
The Prophet (Peacse Be Upon Him) said; “Wherever you want to be and the condition between us and you is that you do not shed blood, nor commit adultery, nor commit injustice against anyone.” (Nihayatul Al-Awatar, Vol. 7, Page 139)
13- The right to freedom of assembly
This right is linked to the right to freedom of conscience and freedom of expression. This right means that every citizen has the right to freely associate and form organizations. If there is no right to form organizations, then the right to expression is useless. Islam has given the right to freedom of assembly. The word is divine.
And let there be a community among you who call to goodness and enjoin good deeds and refrain from evil deeds.
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