Declaration of Human Rights

Declaration of Human Rights Islam, the religion of freedom

Written by Tahseen Abu Djihad

(2800 words)

For the last 40 years there has been a growing interest in western Countries in Islam, Unfortunately, there was no great interest or effort to understand the wider concept of Islam, or to get the full picture of the Islamic System. This interest was mainly focused on a few and limited subjects like for example Islamic revival, Islamic Fundamentalism, Women rights or Islamic Djihad. The choice of topics, as well the emotional way they were presented, make it very difficult to believe that this interest was a genuine one, or positively motivated. As a matter of fact the media coverage on Islam over the last 40 years caused many negative stereotypes of Islam, which dominate the picture of this great Religion of ours till today. One of the biggest points of criticism of Islam is the question of Human Rights or Freedom. It seems to be a proven fact that the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights is an achievement of the Western World or to be more specific of the secular philosophical mainstream thoughts within the Western Countries. It is also a claimed fact that Islam and Human rights are not compatible, and that Islam is a synonym for not granting Human Rights in general, or for oppression. Therefore it is worthwhile to look into the concept of Human Rights, their origin and the history of the Human rights. So, what is the real story, the truth, behind the Universal Human rights? Does Islam really oppose Human Rights, or is it just a fairy tale, propaganda?
1 Declaration of Human rights

Declaration of Human Rights

In order to understand the subject of Human rights better we have to look into history. How did it all get started? It is common believe today that the origin of Human rights, the birth place so to say, is the Magna Charta in Great Britain. A document the people of Great Britain fought for against their King in the thirteen century, in 1215 to be specific. Please keep in mind for later reference that this was around 630 hijra, meaning 630 years after the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) migrated to Medina. As a matter of fact the Magna Charta did not really talk about or mentioned Human Rights as to our understanding today. It just mentioned some rights of Noble Men or Aristocrats in regards to their possession and court trials. So this is definitely not the birthplace of the Universal Human rights, but for the sake of discussion lets takes it as it. As far as my knowledge goes the people in western countries had no concept of human rights and civil rights before the seventeenth century, so for the next 400 years. At the end of the eighteenth century we find the declaration of independents of the United States of America. In 1774 to be specific, which corresponds to 1195 Hijra Calendar. So round about 1200 years after the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) migrated to Medina. This Declaration of Independence indeed mentions some basic human rights we still refer to today, but they did not apply to everybody. For example women were not included in these rights, and as most of us know black people neither. During this time Black People were not regarded as humans in the United States, they were just slaves. As a matter of fact Colored people did not obtain full civil rights in the United States till the 1970, just 40 years ago, and it was a long struggle for them to reach this goal. One name that comes to mind talking about this long march to freedom for colored people in the U.S. is Malcolm X, a Muslim convert who stood up for the rights of his people. Later he was assassinated.
2 Declaration of Human rights

Declaration of Human Rights

The Human rights we always refer to in discussions today are based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948. 1369 years after the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) migrated to Medina. But again these Human Rights did not apply to all the people, since many countries were still colonies, not represented at the United Nations and the character, the spirit of The Un at that time was not truly Universal. So the term Universal is somehow misleading, to put it mildly. So, this is in short the history of the Human Rights according to the media and the schoolbooks. No involvement of Muslim countries, no achievements of Muslims, no place for Islam. The one or the other might ask him now: What has all this to do with Hajj? Why do we need to talk about this subject during the days of Hajj? You might be surprised at the answer! The first declaration of the human rights, the original, was done exactly at this place, in Arafat just 15 km off Mecca, during the farewell Hajj of the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.)! Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)) delivered his last Khutbah on the ninth of the month of Hajj, 10 years after Hijrah in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat. His words were quite clear and concise and were directed to the entire humanity, so truly universal. O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allahs trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.
3 Declaration of Human rights

Declaration of Human Rights

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. This is just part of the last hutbah of the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.). It is in very concise form the main human rights Islam is implementing for all people, regardless of gender, color, race or social status and for all times. Truly Universal! The Prophet Muhammad emphasized on the following:

Sacredness of life and property A reminder that everyone is fully accountable for their deeds and Allah (God) will take every person into account. If everyone heeded to this fact alone, the world would be a much better place today. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. These words of the prophet are self explanatory. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. These words of the prophet are self explanatory. Rights of women over men and rights of men over women. Treatment of women with kindness. Modesty and chastity in women. Equality amongst all (blacks, white, Arabs, non-Arabs, etc.) The need to establish justice.

This was 630 years before the Magna Charta was declared, 1200 years before the Declaration of Independence and 1370 years before the Universal Declaration of Independence. Subhanallah! Is it really possible that the Muslims were the first to declare the Universal Human Rights, by command of Allah (s.t.) and through his Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.), in the land of the two holy mosques? Why do we not read about this in the schoolbooks today?
4 Declaration of Human rights

Declaration of Human Rights

One might argue that these words of the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) are very general, not too specific. The same would be true for all the older documents regarded as the origin of the Human Rights, but for the sake of clarifying the matter lets look into the details! What does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights say, and is it really possible that this greatest achievement of all off Western Humanity is in reality a copy of the Glorious Quran, of the Islamic System? What are the facts on this? What is the original, what is the copy? Lets get the facts on the table to find out: The first thing we find in Islam on this topic is that Islam lays down some rights for man as human beings. In other words it means that every human being, regardless of race, gender, color, faith or nationality is entitled to these rights, simply because he is a human being, not because he is white, or black, rich or poor. Now lets compare in detail:
Article 1. Universal Declaration of Human rights

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty. This is by the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.): All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.
5 Declaration of Human rights

Declaration of Human Rights

This is by Ali ibn Abu Talib: Do not enslave yourself while Allah has born you free.
Article 3.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person . This is from the glorious Quran: And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden to be killed, except by legal right. (6:151) Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption done in the land it is as if he had killed mankind entirely. (5:32)

Article 4.

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. This is by Umar Al Khatab: When did you enslave people whose mothers had born them free? The Glorious Quran as a matter of fact encourages the freeing of the ones who are already enslaved, and even Zakat money might be used for this noble cause.
Article 7.

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination. This is what the Quran says:

Oh you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin. (4:135) O you who believe. Stand out firmly for Allah as just witnesses; and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety. (5:8)

6 Declaration of Human rights

Declaration of Human Rights

We can go on with these examples, but I think it becomes quite clear as it is. Look at the original, look at the copy! Why is it that we do not learn about this, that we do not find this in the schoolbooks? Challenge those critics of Islam with these facts and question them. How can they copy a system, call it the original, not even mentioning the source of their wisdom? How cheap is that? If anyone would violate copyrights in for example his academical works, he would be expelled from University! Confront those critics of Islam with these facts! Tell them that the Universal Human Rights are by no means an achievement of modern thinking but just a violation of copyrights. Tell them to give at least credit to the original source of all their achievements, to the Glorious Quran and the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.)! So why is it that we do not know about all this? What is the real reason behind all this camouflaging and lying? Why is it that they do not give credit to the original source? I will tell you: The problem is the source! The secular school of thinking cannot accept that the concept of Human Rights is from Allah (s.t.), they do not even accept the existence of Allah (s.t.)! A source far above the limited human mind does not fit into their picture of the world. According to their believe the human mind is the highest, the most perfect source of wisdom, and they neglect and deny the Creator of all. In order to deny the creator of all the worlds, the real sovereign of all the worlds, they take credit for something they never achieved! Another reason is that of course the freedom, the human rights of Islam are different than the one requested by the deniers of Allah (s.t.)! In Islam Human Rights and freedom are based on the commands of Allah, not on the limited capacity of the human mind.
7 Declaration of Human rights

Declaration of Human Rights

The freedom the Non Muslims are asking for is based on the ever changing whims and desires of these people and is characterized by instability! In Islam freedom is stable, not subject to change as the desires of humans might change. To give you an example: 40 years ago homosexuality was punishable by law in most countries, today in the same countries two people of the same gender can get married to each other, legally! Some 90 years ago the US where a dry country, meaning alcohol was illegal. As we all know that was changed, with all the devastating effects on society. What is this? In Islam freedom has its limits. Muslims know that unlimited freedom, freedom with no boundaries, will lead to corruption, immorality and degeneration, as can be seen in many societies today, and will lead to a complete moral breakdown and destruction of a nation.

Then is it the judgment of ignorance they desire? But who is better than Allah in judgment for a people who are certain in faith. (5:50) Do not exceed limits in your religion beyond the truth and do not follow the inclinations of a people who had gone astray before and misled many and have strayed from the soundness of the way. (5:77)
In Islam freedom is clearly defined and its limits have been set by Allah (s.t.) in his scripture and by his Messenger (p.b.u.h.). This kind of freedom is practiced for the last 1430 years, not like the experimental freedom of western countries which is changed every now and then, depending on the mood and desires of the decision makers. Freedom in Islam always requires commitment and responsibility towards society. Freedom in Islam is not selfish, directed only to fulfill ones lusts and desires, or to oppress other people. There is no freedom of choice without responsibility and no responsibility without freedom.

8 Declaration of Human rights

Declaration of Human Rights

Real freedom can only be achieved through full submission to the will and laws of Allah (s.t.), since he is the Creator of all and knows best about the nature of his creation, and HE (s.t.) knows best what is good for us! And when guidance comes to you from me, whoever follows My guidance there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (2:38) Confront those critics of Islam with these facts! Tell them that of course our freedom is different than theirs, because our source is better! Tell them that without Islam mankind would still wander around in darkness. Keep in mind that whatever truth can be found in their ideas and writings, is just a small part of the truth, but the real truth, the 100% genuine and original system can only be found in Islam! And Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed, by his permission. And Allah guides whom he wills to a straight path. (2:213) So, next time you hear the call for freedom, just think about what kind of freedom they mean. The freedom of Islam or the freedom to disobey Allah!

9 Declaration of Human rights