What does Islam say about human rights?

[firedragon]

Maybe it would depend on what human rights means to the OP.

Anyway, Islam doesn't say anything about "human rights". It's a theology. It has objective morality.

 

[muhammad_isa]

OMGosh. When the American slaves were literally freed overnight, I doubt they would tell you they suffered more than their enslavement..

That is not a fair comparison .. we are talking about a 7th century society in the desert.

 

[wellwisher]

Salam

(1) "Human rights" is a subset of rights of humans, sounds weird but it refers to rights of humans pertaining to what should be held or enforced by the government in abstract form while there will be particular applications of it that can differ given situation and circumstances.

(2) Given that this is a very logical thing to hold that there is rights in that category, and are important to deal with, if Islam is silent about the issue, then it fails to guide humanity in one of the more important issues.

(3) Human rights issues interlocks with other issues such as economical models, socialism vs capitalism, poverty, disability rights, as well as political issues and how it can be weaponized for colonialism, gender issues, and sex is also related to it. I will expand as we go in this thread.

I'm holding the definition has to be found in Islam in some form or another (1) or it's a false religion. I further argue the details of human rights has to be in Quran and Sunnah as well or it's a failed religion.

I am going to trying to prove what Islam says about these issues. I will then be further defending that it has the proper view.

I will leave a bit of room for initial feedback, and people's thoughts about the issue, before I go on.

Human rights are based on the notion that God rules the realm of mankind and has created a fair set of rules that apply to all humans. This is an extension of natural instinct. This is also similar to sports, in the sense there are one set of rules for all participates in the sports of life. Things like racism and sexism and reverse racism and reverse sexism which create two sets of rules are not acceptable and are not from God.

Like in the Olympics, by having one set of rules that apply to all, each person can developed their skills of life based on their God given talents, with friendly competition and cooperation of others, helping to bring out their best. This will not always provide the same outcome for all, since people are designed to be unique. But it will allow each person to be their best, unhindered by the cheating caused by more than one set of rules. While being unique, like in sports, God has provide many ways; many sports of life, where each person can find their niche and develop their best talents. God who over sees all, is like the referee who keeps all the games fair, in all competition of life, and will penalize the cheaters.

Things like lying, cheating, and stealing rig the games of life, which is why there are commandments against such things, given by the Divine referees in each sport of life.

I believe that men and women are different by design. They were designed to complement each other and become a team. Therefore, each will find their optimization in different sports or in different leagues of the same sport, so one set of rules can apply. The need to cheat and add more than one set rules, so some can participate in the wrongs sports of life is not from God. If one was not good at baseball, but good at tennis, one needs be aware of the human rights of others, and not dumb down baseball with dual standards, so they can pretend to be optimized. Rather they should try tennis and accept the one set of rules, since this is where they talents lie. God is about reality not fantasy and each person has their God given niche for optimization. One can tell this by the peace and joy it brings to your life.

 

[Link]

But we aren't discussing God. We are discussing religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc. Each claims to speak for God, yet each simply accepts slavery (until recently).

I believe all those religions had people who were appointed by God to steer them in the right direction as far as slavery and human rights goes. I believe the people followed corrupt and wrong people not meant to be followed, and so attributed God falsehood and what they did not know. God never allowed slavery.

The big mistake was mixing fallible authority with the God appointed type.

 

[Link]

Maybe it would depend on what human rights means to the OP.

Anyway, Islam doesn't say anything about "human rights". It's a theology. It has objective morality.

Salam

Human rights is a subset of moral rights, it's the rights as far what should be ensured by the government or constitution.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

That is not a fair comparison .. we are talking about a 7th century society in the desert.

I don't think the experience would be any different. If someone is literally owned by another, overworked by them, abused by them... Sudden freedom would feel like heaven.

 

[muhammad_isa]

I don't think the experience would be any different. If someone is literally owned by another, overworked by them, abused by them... Sudden freedom would feel like heaven.

Those slaves who were being abused, obviously.
..but to survive, people need to be part of something, PARTICULARLY in such a harsh environment.

i.e. food, water, shelter, allegiance/protection

 

[Link]

This is the hadith I'm talking about.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Those slaves who were being abused, obviously.

In virtually all cases, slaves are abused. Many would argue that merely considering another human being property is itself abuse. In any case, those very rare masters who treat their slaves kindly are not going to simply turn them out on the street -- the same character trait that led them to treat their slave kindly would also make sure their former slave was set up for success.

 

[muhammad_isa]

In virtually all cases, slaves are abused. Many would argue that merely considering another human being property is itself abuse. In any case, those very rare masters who treat their slaves kindly are not going to simply turn them out on the street -- the same character trait that led them to treat their slave kindly would also make sure their former slave was set up for success.

You still miss the point. A 7th century society was transformed, but not by an outright ban. It would
have been extremely divisive, and hindered spiritual progress.

Many people claim that they are morally superior, while they try to hide the fact that they knowingly financially oppress others to the point of social collapse.
G-d knows what people are hiding.

 

[Link]

You still miss the point. A 7th century society was transformed, but not by an outright ban. It would
have been extremely divisive, and hindered spiritual progress.

I don't believe pre-Islamic Arabia had slaves and believe it was introduced later from conquests of rulers.

 

[muhammad_isa]

I don't believe pre-Islamic Arabia had slaves..

Well, you're entitled to believe what you like .. there has always been wars and people
serving others.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

You still miss the point. A 7th century society was transformed, but not by an outright ban. It would
have been extremely divisive, and hindered spiritual progress.

Oh, I get your point. I just think you are completely wrong.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Oh, I get your point. I just think you are completely wrong.

Well, you are bound to think differently to me .. because I see the light in
the Torah, the Gospel and the Qur'an.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Well, you are bound to think differently to me .. because I see the light in
the Torah, the Gospel and the Qur'an.

Oh please. The relief that slaves would have felt if freed is independent of the Torah, Gospels, and Quran.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Oh please. The relief that slaves would have felt if freed is independent of the Torah, Gospels, and Quran.

Personally, I don't see it like that.
Slaves were freed back in the 7th century by those with good intent .. they paid their masters
and supported them.

..of course, people aren't so important any more .. some countries have mass unemployment,
and are "surplus to requirements"

The Quran recognizes slavery as a source of injustice, as it places the freeing of slaves on the same level as feeding the poor. Nevertheless, the Quran doesn't abolish slavery. One reason given is that slavery was a major part of the 7th century socioeconomic system, and abolishing it would not have been practical. Most interpretations of the Quran agree that the Quran envisions an ideal society as one in which slavery no longer exists.
Islamic_views_on_slavery

 

[Link]

One reason given is that slavery was a major part of the 7th century socioeconomic system, and abolishing it would not have been practical.

This is a lame excuse. So slaves lives should be sacrificed so others in society could prosper more?

Quran does condemn slavery outright but people don't reflect over it's words.

 

[Link]

Any religion that condoned slavery at any given point in time is a false religion.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Quran does condemn slavery outright but people don't reflect over it's words.

Which verses in the Qur'an are you referring to?

 

[Link]

Which verses in the Qur'an are you referring to?

For example:

أَنْ أَدُّوا إِلَيَّ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنِّي لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ | [saying,] ‘Give over the servants of Allah to me; indeed I am a trusted apostle [sent] to you. | Ad-Dukhaan : 18