Guaranty of Human Rights
Question:-
How can Islam Guaranty Human Rights?
Answer:-
Rights have no meaning without knowledge about the nature of something and the authority which bestows them.
In Islam, human rights are (a) given by Allah and (b) they are connected with duties and (c) rest on the notion that human beings are vicegerents and contain the Spirit of Allah within them which gives them certain features, power and responsibilities.
The acceptance and realization of this is the main guaranty. Without some such realization coercion is the only other alternative. But this flouts human rights.
The establishment, maintenance and enhancement of human rights depends on Allah, and therefore, also on the conditions of the physical and social environment - its resources, possibilities and opportunities. People cannot, for instance, expect the same in places of poor resources or in conditions of drought as they can in very fertile places. Nor can they expect the same in war as in peace. Or among the sick, ignorant or disabled as among the vigorous, highly talented and educated.
It is human beings who have to maintain and carry out human rights. But we have also been given a certain amount of freedom for action. No one can guarantee human rights on earth. These depend on the psychological development of people. This depends to an extent on their acceptance of the principles and discipline provided by the religion. If they ignore these principles then there will be no human rights.
But it is the community collectively which has to establish these rights and duties. This may or may not be done through an organization such as a State or its Department of Justice. Community responsibility also implies that no group within it can take complete control over others.
The establishment, maintenance and enhancement of human rights requires power. When this power is vested only in a group then this can lead to injustices, especially when those in power are lacking in knowledge, virtue, ability and self-control.
Islam provides precaution against this in the following ways:-
(1) That there should be constant (a) moral and religious education (b) the application of the techniques of development and (c) reminder of human responsibilities and goals.
(2) That all affairs be conducted by consultation between all those involved or affected by a question. This means that all citizens have a right to have a say in that which affect them all. All should have the right to attend a local Assembly, discuss affairs, vote on it and choose their leaders to be sent to higher Assemblies and so on.
(3) That the leaders should be chosen according to their merit - their knowledge, virtue (and sense of responsibility), and ability.
(4) That there be no separate standing Military Force, nor Police. The defense of the nation and its beneficial and efficient running are the responsibility of all citizens. This was certainly the case when the Prophet (saw) established the Islamic State. This means that, in these day where greater expertise and equipment is required, all citizen should, in rotation, go for military training from time to time. E.g. one tenth of the able population could, one year in every ten, go for National Service. This includes Military training and work such as disaster relief, some kinds of police work and other forms of public work. The number of permanent members who undertake the organization and training will be small. In this way it is unlikely that an army can be used by a dictator to suppress human rights - they are all member of the same community.
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