Revisiting Human Rights in Islam: A Philosophical Inquiry

This chapter explores philosophical explorations of human rights in Islamic thought.Islam promotes karamah (human dignity) as most important ethical virtue. As per the Quranic view, human beings have free will but it does not mean that they are not accountable. They are accountable for their actions. They are provided adl(reason) so that mizan(balance) may be justified. However, they are also guided by wahy(divine force). In many verses of Quran, it is emphasized that human beings should not cause any harm to fellow human beings. In this chapter, it is argued that the Holy Quran emphasizes keeping a non-harming attitude towards fellow human beings.

In Islamic thought, the notion of human rights is based on practicing al-Haqq (the truth), adil(justice), and moral order simultaneously. Quran focuses on the practice of justice and rahmah(compassion) for all the living beings (Quran 16:19). From the Islamic perspective, reason must be practiced in harmony with divine law. Only then may ideal society may be created where human rights may be practiced and ensured. There should be a non-discriminatory attitude towards any fellow human being based on his/her caste, race, religion, or nationality.The Islamic vision is that a just society has to be created in which the law of justice must prevail. Such a society should promote equalhuquq (rights) for all the human beings. Many Islamic philosophers such as Al-Ghazali take welfare of human beings as inseparable from ethical discipline and spiritual cleansing. This he refers to Ihya’ Ulum al-Din.