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Unlock This CourseIn Human Rights and When They Can Be Limited you met the idea that every person has basic rights, such as liberty and freedom of speech, and that rights can sometimes be limited. This lesson looks at how Muslims think about those same rights.
Muslims believe that human rights do not start with governments or laws. They start with Allah, who created every person. The Qur'an says that Allah has honoured the children of Adam (Qur'an 17:70). Because Allah gave every person this honour, nobody has the right to treat another person as worthless, whatever their religion, wealth or background.
Key terms:
Muslims also believe that rights come with duties. Allah gave rights and duties together in the Shari'ah, the path of guidance (you met it in Muslim Attitudes to Punishment and Its Aims). A person who has the right to be safe also has the duty not to harm others.
The Qur'an says that Allah commands justice (Qur'an 16:90). You met two verses on justice in Muslim Attitudes to Punishment and Its Aims: the Qur'an tells believers to stand firmly for justice, even against themselves, their parents or their relatives (Qur'an 4:135), and that hatred of a group must not push believers into being unfair to them (Qur'an 5:8). The new verse here is 16:90.
If justice is a command from Allah, then protecting people's rights is part of worship, not just a good idea. Many Muslims say that defending the rights of others is a religious duty.
Liberty. Muslims believe people are created free and answerable to Allah. Many Muslims therefore argue that nobody should be locked up, held without a fair process or forced into servitude without a lawful reason. The Qur'an praises freeing people from bondage (Qur'an 90:12-13).
Equality before the law. Islam teaches that the same law applies to rich and poor, strong and weak. A well-known hadith tells how earlier nations were ruined because they punished the weak but let the powerful go free. The Prophet said that even if his own daughter broke the law, she would face the same law. Muslims use this to say that nobody is above the law because of their rank.
Freedom of religion. Qur'an 2:256 says there is no compulsion in religion. You first met this verse in Muslim Nurture, the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Muslims explain that faith has to be a free choice from the heart, so it cannot be forced. Another verse, Qur'an 109:6, says "to you your religion, and to me mine". Many Muslims use these verses to support the right of people of other faiths, and of none, to follow their own beliefs. You will see 2:256 again in Islam in a Multi-Faith Society and Da'wah.
Freedom of opinion and speech. The Qur'an praises communities whose affairs are run by consultation (Qur'an 42:38). Consultation only works if people can say what they think. A hadith also says that the best form of striving is speaking a word of truth to an unjust ruler. Many Muslims say this supports free speech used to speak up against wrong. At the same time, the Qur'an warns against mocking others, backbiting and suspicion (Qur'an 49:11-12), so speech is expected to be honest and kind.
The Cairo Declaration (1990). Governments of many Muslim-majority countries agreed a statement called the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam. It says that all people are equal in dignity and that rights come from Allah. It also says that rights must be used within the Shari'ah.
Shirin Ebadi. Shirin Ebadi is an Iranian lawyer and a Muslim. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her work for the rights of women and children. She argues that Islam and human rights can go together.
Malala Yousafzai, a Muslim campaigner for girls' education, is another example you have already met.
Not all Muslims agree about how human rights and the Shari'ah fit together. Some points where tension is discussed are:
The Cairo Declaration differs from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in places, mainly because it puts every right under the Shari'ah. Some Muslims welcome this, because it keeps rights rooted in Allah's guidance. Others say it gives governments too much room to limit rights. This is still debated among Muslims.
Most Muslims accept that some limits are needed. A hadith says there should be no harm and no returning of harm, which Muslims use to say that rights end where they would hurt others. Muslims give reasons such as protecting life, public safety and the honour of other people. Some Muslims say the Shari'ah is the main limit, because Allah set the boundaries. Others stress that limits must be fair, clear and not used to silence people. The key disagreement is who decides where the limit is.
Paper 1, (b), 4 marks (AO1). Choose one religion. Outline two teachings about human rights in this religion. [4 marks]
1. Muslims believe every person has dignity from Allah (1), because the Qur'an says Allah has honoured the children of Adam, so everyone deserves rights (1).
2. Muslims believe justice is a command (1), for example Qur'an 4:135 tells believers to stand firmly for justice even against themselves (1).
Paper 1, (d), 12 marks (AO1 and AO2). "Human rights should never be limited." Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks]
For: Muslims say karamah comes from Allah, so no government can take it away; Qur'an 2:256 supports freedom of belief; humanists say rights belong to everyone equally.
Against: Many Muslims say rights are used within the Shari'ah; rights can clash, so one person's freedom of speech may harm another; most laws limit rights for safety.
Conclusion: A possible view is that rights should be limited only when necessary and fairly, because the aim is to protect everyone's dignity.
In a 12-mark answer, name a teaching such as Qur'an 17:70 or 2:256, and show that Muslims do not all agree.