ISLAM AND HUMAN RIGHTSby Dr. Farida Khanam O people! Behold, we have created you from a male and a female; and we have made you into tribes and sub-tribes, so that you may recognize one another. The most

he who is the most righteous among you. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. THE QURAN, 49: 13 RIGHTS in Islam are divided into two categories. One concerns divine rights (Huququllah) and the other, human rights

And out of the two spread on the earth a multitude of men and women. THE QURAN, 4: 1 Human life in Islam is held in such high esteem that the killing of a single human being is considered equivalent to the

to divesting himself of all delicate feelings. Islam is the answer to the demands of nature. It is in fact a counterpart of human nature. This is why Islam has been called a religion of nature in the Quran

and asked him what he should do in a certain matter. The Prophet replied, ‘Consult your conscience (heart) about it.’ By the conscience the Prophet meant his finer feelings. That is, what one’s conscience

conscience tells one would likewise be what Islam would demand of one as a matter of common sense. What does human nature desire more than anything? It desires, above all, peace and love. Every human being wants

Devotion ALL religions, through rituals and ceremonies, give a definite form to the act of worship. Islam too has specific rites but emphasizes the spirit in which these are carried out. It does not conceive

circumstances—have an external form, ritualised or otherwise. What is truly important is the zeal which inspires it. The true value of an act in Islam depends entirely upon the spirit in which it is carried

of worship, and partly as physical reinforcements or prompters to religious ardour, the essence of Islam is the inner spirit, eternal and unassailable, unlike its outer forms. When this reality is lodged

Nevertheless, Islamic teachings seem to be so comprehensive that they embrace all essential issues of life including the State and its related national or international problems as well. What is an Islamic State

State? A State governed by Muslims is not necessarily an Islamic state. Apart from its monotheistic doctrinal basis, an Islamic State would, in practice, be identified with the sumum bonum principle of ‘no-compulsion

and condemned in Islam. That is why the coercive forms of States, though governed by Muslim dictators, have never been considered ideal Islamic States by the scholars of Islam. Islam, moreover, does not

Wahiduddin Khan, born in 1925, in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, is an Islamic spiritual scholar who is well-versed in both classical Islamic learning and modern disciplines. The mission of his life has been

Sayyidina Imam Al Hassan Peace award for promoting peace in Muslim societies. He has been called ’Islam’s spiritual ambassador to the world’ and is recognized as one of its most influential Muslims . His

Maulvi or a religious scholar. Due to this obsession, my uncle got me enrolled in a madrasa, an Islamic seminary, and bore all the expenses. The credit of my seminary education goes to him. At my madrasa

Islamic FundamentalismIslamic fundamentalism is a recent phenomenon. While studying it we must first of all understand that the term ‘Islamic fundamentalism’ has not been derived from the Islamic scriptures

scriptures, nor does any group of Muslims approve of being given the appellation of ‘Islamic fundamentalists.’ This term is somewhat similar to that of ‘Uncle Sam’ as applied to Americans by non-Americans

phenomenon for which the term Islamic fundamentalism is used is indeed a reality. There is a considerable number of Muslims in the world of today whose thinking and actions add up to what is meant by the term fundamentalism

ISLAM AND SCIENCEEmergence of the Modern World SO LONG as natural phenomena were attributed to supernatural causes, they were regarded as objects of worship. Natural phenomena and objects such as fire

conquer it. Holding the moon to be sacred was a major obstacle to even thinking of conquering it. Islam in the 7th century paved the way for modern science by distinguishing between a Creator and the rest

communal progress. (Vol. 1) Islam in the 7th century paved the way for modern science by distinguishing between a Creator and the rest of the universe. The role of Islam in the emergence and development

readers’ attention towards his perception about Islam. Finally, I got a chance to explore one of his books. The Final Journey is written by the Indian Islamic scholar and peace activist, Maulana Wahiduddin

while going through this book. What I learnt from this inspiring book is that the most certain thing about life is that it is extremely uncertain that one cannot assume what has been stored for him in the

about Islam. This conversation was between a Hindu and a Muslim. The Hindu said, “It seems that Islam is an intolerant religion.” The Muslim replied saying, “That is a complete misunderstanding. Islam, on

conclusion that it was traceable to the difference in their outlook. The Hindu formed his opinion of Islam by judging the behaviour of Muslims. The Muslim, on the other hand, quoted extensively from the Quran

One must not react negatively, even if it means some initial sacrifice of one’s self-esteem. Imagine what happens if someone abuses you and you retaliate by throwing a stone at him. Later, while reporting

This cause is always internal, located inside you. Two examples from the time of the Prophet of Islam clearly illustrate this point. One is related to the defeat Muslims faced in the Battle of Uhud, in

to their internal differences and their not obeying their central command. It tells us that this is what made them face defeat at the hands of their opponents in this battle. Similarly, the Quran (9: 25)

typically respond in just one way; by screaming and protesting against what they brand as ‘oppressors’. This is a completely un-Islamic approach and method. When everything that happens is from God, then