Human Rights in the Light of Quran and Hadith

By Dr. Mohammad Najeeb Qasmi Sambhali, New Age Islam 28 July 2022 It Is Obligatory On Every Person Believing In Allah Almighty And His Messengers To Observe The Rights Of All The People Main Points: 1. Holy Quran and hadith have highly emphasized the importance of observing human rights 2. We do not find any associations or organizations or endeavours teaching the people how to observe other people’s rights which is incumbent on us. 3. We have also been taught to behave nicely with the neighbours to the extent that one cannot be a true Muslim if he irritates his neighbour. ------ The Islamic Shariah has obligated everybody to observe the rights of servants (our fellow human beings) of Allah Almighty besides Allah’s rights. The Holy Quran and hadith have highly emphasized the importance of observing human rights containing special instructions on the subject matter. In addition, the example set by the Holy Prophet Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH), his companions and the companions of the prophet’s companions through their words and deeds pertaining to observing human rights shall remain an exemplary behaviour for the human being to follow in their footsteps as long as this world lasts. Despite this, today we do not observe other people’s rights, while at the same time we raise our demand to others for observing our rights. Seldom do we think to observe other people’s right and stage demonstrations to demand our rights. Therefore, in the name of rights, many new associations and organizations have been formed. But we do not find any associations or organizations or endeavours teaching the people how to observe other people’s rights which is incumbent on us. The principal demand of Islamic Shariah that we are required to fulfil is that we should focus more and more on fulfilling our obligations i.e. observing other people’s right. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: AIMPLB Advocates Of Instant Triple Talaq Are Gender Terrorists And Traitors Of Islam And May Be Sued For Human Rights Violation Under Cover Of Religion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rights of General Public It is obligatory on every person believing in Allah Almighty and His messengers to observe the rights of all the people. He should not usurp other people’s wealth or property illegally. He should not cheat others. He should not adulterate the foodstuffs. The Islamic Shariah does not allow to kill anybody unjustifiably, or even to speak ill of anybody. It teaches the people to observe the rights of the way (roads or passages); to take into consideration the condition of the poor and the weak. Besides observing common people’s rights one should observe the rights of parents, husband, wife, children, relatives and the neighbours. Allah’s messenger (PBUH) warned us of the severe punishment in the hereafter for not observing other people’s rights (asking the people saying): "Do you know who is a bankrupt?" They said: "The bankrupt among us is one who has neither money with him nor any property". He said, "The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with Salat, Saum and Sadaqah (charity), (but he will find himself bankrupt on that day as he will have exhausted the good deeds) because he reviled others, brought calumny against others, unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others and beat others; so, his good deeds would be credited to the account of those (who suffered at his hand). If his good deeds fall short to clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he would be thrown in the (Hell) Fire". (Muslim) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: UNHRC Should Ensure That OIC Members Implement Provisions Of Human Rights Charter, Founder-Editor, New Age Islam, Sultan Shahin Addresses Its 43rd Session In Geneva ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rights of Parents The Holy Quran and hadith have placed special emphasis on observing parent’s rights. Allah Almighty has ordered us to observe the parent’s rights immediately after ordering us to worship Him at many places, which underlines the importance of observing parent’s rights, their obedience and service and respect. Many Ahadith have also been reported on the special importance of observing parent’s rights and their obedience. We have been prohibited to disobey parents to the extent that we are not allowed even to display sign of slightest dispraise or raise our voice on them and we have been ordered to speak to them softly and respectfully. The order of praying for them as long as we are alive makes it more important. In the light of Quran and hadith, the scholars have written on the rights of parents in these words: Parent’s rights in their lives: Respecting them; loving them and striving to make them happy as much as possible; taking care of their needs; meeting them etc. After their death: praying to Allah for their forgiveness and His mercy, paying their trust and loans (if any), enforcing their legitimate will, doing such deeds on their behalf the reward of which reaches them, respecting their relatives and friend and visiting their graves etc. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Also Read: Huquq-ul-Ibad or Human Rights: The Ethical Soul of Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and All Other Religions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Children’s Rights Righteous children are a great blessing of Allah. Children may be made righteous only through their right upbringing in the light of principles taught by Allah Almighty and His messenger (PBUH). Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) and his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism,” (Bukhari, Muslim). This hadith clearly tells us that a child’s mind and brain is like a plain paper, and whatever his parents carve in his mind and brain lasts till the last days of his age. Some obligations of parents i.e. children’s right are as under: At the time of child’s birth, calling azan in the right ear of the child and saying Takbeer in the left ear, Tehreek i.e. chewing date properly and placing it in the child’s mouth and rubbing it at the tooth-gum; Aqiqah i.e. slaughtering animal on behalf of the child on the seventh day of his birth; circumcising the male child; doing charity equal to the weight of the hair after shaving the child’s head whether silver or the value thereof; selecting good name for him; if one fails to do Aqiqah at the seventh day of his birth, he can do it anytime thereafter; shouldering the responsibility of taking care of all the necessities of life of the children within the limit of one’s capacity and status. These are rights if observed and taken care of in a sound manner; it will lay down the foundation of a good generation. However, if one fails to observe these rights even at the slightest degree or exercise negligence then only Allah alone knows how much price the next generations will pay for it. A child’s teaching and upbringing is a very serious and delicate matter, which should be performed in a very wise and smart manner. In the beginning, the mother has a large share of teaching and upbringing which with the advancement in the child’s age transfers to the father. Following adorning the children with teaching and upbringing the last and the most important right is to contract their marriage. In the matter of seeking alliance for marriage, we should prefer the religiousness and noble character of the prospective life partner, pursuant to the teachings of the Holy prophet (PBUH). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: Islam Fully Protects Human Rights of Religious Minorities: Sultan Shahin tells UNHRC at Geneva ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rights of Husband and Wife The marital relationship between the couple unknown to each other may be established only through contracting marriage in a manner prescribed in the Islamic Shariah. After contracting a legitimate marriage, the couple unknown to each other becomes life partner of each other. They share each other’s grief and joy, pain and relief, health and diseases and each and every domain of their lives. A number of unlawful things become lawful for them thanks to the Nikah, to the extent that Allah Almighty has used for them the metaphor of a garment of each other i.e. a husband is like a garment of the wife and so is a wife for her husband. To observe each other’s right by enjoying lawfully from each other physically and mentally within the limit set by the Islamic Shariah, all these are part of the Islamic Shariah, for which one will be entitled to reward if Allah wills. Husband’s Rights: Paying the amount of Mahr (bridal gift) fully, bearing all expenses of the wife, arranging residence for the wife, treating the wife decently. Wife’s rights: To obey the husband, to safeguard his wealth and honour, to run the domestic affairs of home and to raise the children. Neighbours’ Rights Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran, “Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship), and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful; (Surah An-Nisa: 36)”. In this verse, Allah Almighty teaches us to do good to our neighbours whether they are relative or not and whether they are Muslim or Non-Muslims. It is our religious duty to do good to our neighbours only on the ground that they are our neighbours. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “Jibril kept recommending treating neighbours with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance”. (Tirmizi). Likewise, Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour;” (Bukhari). Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) also said: “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should do good to his neighbour” (Muslim). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: Human Rights of the Workers from an Islamic Perspective ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rights of Relatives While Islam has repeatedly stressed the importance of observing the people’s right it has also stressed the importance of observing the rights of neighbours and near and distant relative as well, to the extent that it has taught the husband and wife to observe each other’s rights. The Islamic Shariah gives provisions relating to social life besides that of individual life, so that a good society is formed with the help of all the members of the society and the people respect each other, share each other’s grieves and joys and everybody is paid his rights. Parents have also been taught to observe the children’s rights and likewise, the children have also been taught to behave decently with the parents. The husband and wife have been shouldered with the responsibility of rendering their duties towards each other in order to push the wheel of life in the right direction. We have also been taught to behave nicely with the neighbours to the extent that one cannot be a true Muslim if he irritates his neighbour. It is an obligation of each person to spend his life encompassing all the relatives together as much as possible. Nowadays, this trend has got currency in our society that people cut off their ties on the ground of minor and insignificant reasons, despite the fact that we should observe the right of kinship with the relatives and share their grieves and joys and treat them nicely. Allah Almighty says in Surah An-Nahl: “Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” (An-Nahl: 90). Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “The one who severs the ties of kinship will not enter Paradise”. (Bukhari, Muslim). In light of other Ahadith, scholars say that he shall enter Paradise only after being punished. Likewise, the Holy Quran and Hadith have stressed the importance of observing monetary rights of the relatives. Allah Almighty says: “They ask you (O Muhammad PBUH) what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and Al-Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 215). Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) has stressed the importance of helping the weak relatives besides helping the poor relatives financially. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “Giving charity to a poor person is charity, and (giving) to a relative is two things, charity and upholding the ties of kinship.” (Nasai). URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-human-rights/human-rights-quran-hadith/d/127588 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism