ISLAM recognizes the rights of the non-Muslim minorities, in a positive and emphatic form, laying down injunctions, justly and equitably, to deal with varied situations. It is a governing obligation to dispense absolute and perfect justice to all non-Muslims, irrespective of their being friends or foes, covenantees or those at war. Being the religion of peace, compassion and mercy, respect for life is Islam's hallmark. Many verses of the Holy Qur'an and numerous Hadith narrations have emphasized the worth of human life. Nobody is allowed to harm its sanctity or cause its end in normal circumstances. Indeed, it is asserted that unjust killing of an individual is tantamount to slaying all humanity. One of the fundamental principles of Islam is the dignified position of human beings, hence their equality and rights, irrespective of individual divergence. In the eyes of Allah, they all are His creatures and their worth comes from the quality of their lives. “All people are equal, as the teeth of a comb. There is no claim to superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab or a white over a black, or a male over a female. All- God-fearing people merit a preference with God.” If you recognize all people as one family and are aware of their rights, then you are bound to bring out their good, alleviate their plight and commiserate when they get hurt. There are certain basic rights which should be shared by the whole of humanity and which should be observed in all communities, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. For example, all human beings have the right to be fed, clothed, educated and cared for by the commonwealth to which they belong. No society could possibly be called civilized that did not tend to its sick, care for its orphans, look after its elderly, and honor its deceased. People have the right not to be disturbed, humiliated, mistreated or victimized by others. Society therefore has to take necessary defensive and protective steps on their behalf. Life is sacred and is considered by the Muslims to be a divine gift, which ought to be preserved, enjoyed, put to its fullest use and never brought to an end without justification. Muslims therefore have the duty to protect all forms of life and treat them with respect. No person, no matter how great or powerful, has the right to usurp another's right to life. He should not even consider attempting suicide or exposing himself to reckless danger. Muslims insist that every human being has equal rights, for all are born equal. Justice should be impartial, even if it involves making decisions against members of one's own kin. Islam is a religion of peace and justice. There are innumerable references in the Holy Qur'an to the supreme necessity of establishing a just society. Individuals are ordained to be fair, to hold the scale of justice evenly and are forbidden from employing false measures in weighing things or tilting the balance wrongfully. They are called upon to advance the cause of fairness by offering upright testimony should the need arise. Accordingly, when and where injustice prevails, it is the Muslims' duty to restore justice. Indeed, they can participate with others to introduce harmony, bring peace, establish order and proffer rectitude for the general good. Islam emphasizes the unity of mankind. Differences on such grounds as race, culture, ethnicity, nationality, color and language are immaterial and only for recognition. Therefore, they should not cause any hindrance in forging cordial ties among people. Thus, spiritually as a sublime belief and practically as a complete code of life, Islam has been a reliable beacon in illuminating terrestrial and celestial aspects of human experiences. Practiced for well over a millennium, Islam has made immense contributions to human endeavor. It brought peace, justice, prosperity, joy and harmony to human society. There was a genuine balance in life with equitable relations among all the societal strata, while the highest measures of tolerance and coexistence prevailed, as marks of universality. (To be continued) – Courtesy: The Muslim World League Journal, Makkah __
