Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
9. Human Rights in Islam
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This belief of
Tawhid
helps man realise the fact that there is
nothing superior to or greater than God. All creatures, including
human beings, irrespective of their external differences, are
equal in dignity as well as in responsibility before the one and
only God. Anyone who abuses or humiliates or ridicules others
abuses the Creator indirectly. Such commandments abound in
the Quran and Hadith and show that divine rights and human
rights are so interdependent that they become complementary to
one another.
It is as if God will not accept our obeisance to Him if we do not
fulfill the human rights prescribed in the Quran and Hadith.
For instance, the Prophet is reported to have said:
“By God, he is not a believer,
By God, he is not a believer,
By God, he is not a believer.”
When asked by the companions,
‘Who is he?’,
The Prophet replied,
“He whose neighbour is not safe from his mischievous
deeds.”
(Abu Dawud)
The differences between human beings seen as justifications for
discrimination resulting in the violation of basic human rights are
considered in the Quran as signs of God:
