Introduction
The introduction of the book Human Rights in Islam by Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Turki addresses the role of Islamic dawah (invitation to Islam) in fulfilling Islam’s universal mission, despite the challenges and difficulties faced by contemporary preachers. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the Quran and Sunnah and being aware of societal realities to address pressing issues such as human rights, equality, and tolerance. He stresses the necessity of evaluating modern principles against the standards of Islam, as Muslims derive their understanding of human dignity, solidarity, and consultation from their faith. The research aims to highlight the true essence of human rights as they are presented in the contemporary world and to encourage Muslims to comprehend these principles within an Islamic framework, achieving reform and promoting good.
Chapter 1: Human Rights in Western Thought
The first chapter explores the development of human rights in the West, referencing key historical documents such as the Magna Carta (1215), the U.S. Declaration of Independence (1776), and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789). These documents sought to protect individuals from political and religious tyranny while overlooking the suffering of colonized nations. The author explains that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) emerged from Europe’s historical struggles but later became a political tool used by powerful nations to interfere in developing countries under the pretext of protecting rights. The chapter also discusses the role of non-governmental organizations in promoting global human rights while criticizing some for disregarding the cultural and religious particularities of different peoples.
Chapter 2: Critique of the European Perspective on Human Rights
This chapter compares the concepts of human rights in Western secular theories and Islamic thought. The author highlights that the Western understanding evolved from resistance to tyranny, emphasizing individual freedoms based on collective conscience, making them relative and changeable. Conversely, Islam considers human rights—especially dignity—to be derived from divine legislation, making them immutable and binding on both rulers and citizens without political acknowledgment. The chapter critiques Western double standards in applying human rights for political interests and asserts that Islam provides a universal, unchanging standard that transcends cultural and political shifts.
Chapter 3: Characteristics of the Islamic View on Human Rights
This chapter examines religion’s stance on human rights, emphasizing the contrast between the Islamic and Western perspectives. While the West views religion as a personal matter resulting from historical experiences of separating church and state after the French Revolution, Islam ties rights to divine legislation. Islam honors humanity from creation and ensures rights through comprehensive, fixed scriptural injunctions, such as the rights to life, liberty, and equality. The chapter also highlights the 1972 Saudi-European dialogue on human rights, where Europeans were impressed by Islam’s comprehensive and inclusive principles. Islam safeguards human rights from birth to after death and protects the rights of non-Muslims within a superior legislative framework compared to modern human rights charters.
Chapter 4: Differences in the Concept of Rights Between Islamic and Western Thought
This chapter contrasts the Islamic and Western concepts of human rights. Islam derives rights from divine law, ensuring they are fixed and definitive, whereas Western thought bases rights on human reasoning, leading to relativity and variability according to societal consensus or authority. Islam achieves a balance between individual and societal rights by restricting freedoms according to Allah's commands. In contrast, the separation of religion and state in the West has allowed laws to conflict with human nature. Islam presents fundamental rights such as life, freedom, equality, and social solidarity as universal and legislatively protected for all humanity, providing a more comprehensive and balanced vision compared to the fluctuating Western system.
Chapter 5: The Right to Life, Safety of the Body, Mind, and Well-being
This chapter discusses the concept of human dignity in Islam and its impact on human rights. Islam honors humans as the noblest of creations, granting them intellect and reflection, and provides dignity by protecting life, the mind, the body, and emotions. Strict prohibitions against murder, harm, and disrespect for life, even after death, are highlighted. Islam also protects the mind by forbidding intoxicants and safeguards emotions against harm or torture. The human role as a vicegerent on Earth obligates adherence to truth and goodness. Islam offers a comprehensive vision that ensures human rights and preserves dignity within the framework of divine law.
Chapter 6: Human Freedom
This chapter explores the concept of freedom in Islam compared to its Western counterpart. In Islam, freedom aims to uphold human dignity by liberating individuals from servitude to anything other than Allah and their desires, while adhering to religious guidelines that protect individuals and society. The chapter emphasizes freedom of expression within the context of consultation and religious guidelines, and the freedom of women, granting them full legal capacity and independent rights. In contrast, Western freedom, born out of resistance to tyranny, lacks clear boundaries and can lead to moral chaos. Islam balances individual freedom and societal welfare, making freedom a constructive rather than destructive tool.
Chapter 7: Equality
This chapter discusses the principle of equality in Islam, showcasing its superiority over ancient societies that discriminated based on gender, race, or class. Islam affirms the unity of human creation and piety as the standard of distinction, abolishing pre-Islamic discrimination and ensuring equality between men and women with complementary rights and duties. The chapter also emphasizes fairness in implementing punishments and protecting the rights of non-Muslims, advocating for kindness and justice in dealings with them. Equality in Islam is not mere slogans but a comprehensive system ensuring everyone’s rights with clear and fixed standards.
Chapter 8: Social Solidarity
This chapter delves into the concept of social solidarity in Islam, which is rooted in faith and ethics and surpasses modern social security systems. Solidarity in Islam expresses mutual responsibility among believers and aims to achieve justice and compassion. It encompasses practices like zakat, fitr alms, family support, and compensation in accidental killing. Islam emphasizes cooperation in righteousness, advising and educating others. Social solidarity is a religious and ethical obligation that strengthens collective responsibility, providing material and moral support to achieve compassion and justice.
Chapter 9: Saudi Arabia and Human Rights
This chapter highlights the distinctiveness of the Islamic world in human rights, contrasting its ideological and cultural foundations with Western civilization, which separates religion and state. Islam, through divine revelation, shaped thought and legislation from the Prophetic era. The author cites Saudi Arabia as a model of adherence to Sharia and faith, noting its role as the birthplace of Islam and guardian of its holy sites. The Kingdom’s commitment to Sharia in all systems since its establishment reflects Islam’s uniqueness and enhances its international and Islamic stature.
Chapter 10: Human Rights in Saudi Arabia’s Basic Law of Governance and Other Systems
The final chapter reviews Saudi Arabia's Basic Law of Governance, issued by royal decree in 1412 AH, as a framework organizing the state, governance, and citizens' rights and duties. Derived from the Quran and Sunnah, the law emphasizes Islamic principles such as justice, consultation, and equality. It guarantees human rights through explicit provisions, including education, health, property, social security, and privacy protection. The system also ensures judicial independence and fairness while committing to environmental and developmental protection. Media is tasked with promoting positive values. The system surpasses international human rights charters by being rooted in Sharia, achieving a balance between Islamic rulings and citizen welfare.
Conclusion
The author emphasizes the unique nature of human rights in Islam, which ensures dignity and justice. He critiques the influence of Western thought on some Islamic countries, weakening their stance against criticism, leading to societal disintegration and increased crime. The solution lies in returning to divine guidance from the Quran and Sunnah and applying Islamic law, enabling the Muslim Ummah to present a global civilizational model for human rights.
