CONTENT :: ARTICLE :: MOTIVATION :: TRAVEL :: SCHOLARSHIPS
In closing, we will cite an incident from recent history. The Ministry of Justice in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held three symposiums during the Islamic month of Safar in 1982. The Minster of Justice and eminent scholars and university professors attended along with four eminent European canonists and scholars: the ex-Foreign Affairs Minister of Ireland and the Secretary of the European Legislation Committee; a well-known scholar of Oriental and Islamic Studies Professor; an eminent professor of Law and the Director of a Human Rights Magazine published in France.
This booklet is an introductory discourse on the subject of human rights in Islam. I hope and pray that this discussion will open avenues for those who are keen to know more about the truth of Islam.
The Muslim scholars in attendance explained the concept of Islam as a way of life in comparison with other competing concepts, illustrating the main rules of Islam and the Shari’ah and the details of such general rules and principles. They explained the value, benefits and effectiveness of the Islamic capital punishments that are prescribed against serious crimes committed against innocent people and society. They explained in detail that such capital punishments are rational penalties that preserve the peace, safety and security of the society at large.
As for the divine reward in the Hereafter, we Muslims believe that there are two permanent abodes in the Hereafter, without a third: either Jannah, full of bliss and eternal happiness, or else the Hellfire of eternal torture.
The Europeans expressed their admiration of the detailed explanations given by the Muslim scholars on these types of punishments and admired the concept of the human rights in Islam. Mr. McBride the head of the European delegation, declared:
“From this place, and from this Islamic country, human rights must be declared and announced to people all over the world.
Muslim scholars must declare these unknown human rights to the international community. In fact, due to the ignorance about these human rights and lack of proper knowledge about them, the reputation of Islam and the Islamic ruling and governing is distorted in the eyes of the rest of the world.” [Taken from ‹Islam and Human Rights› by Abdullah b. Abdul-Muhsin at-Turki]
This booklet is an introductory discourse on the subject of human rights in Islam. I hope and pray that this discussion will open avenues for those who are keen to know more about the truth of Islam that has been deliberately and severely misconstrued and misinterpreted by various media outlets over the years.
I urge readers to explore more about Islam as a way of life, through reliable and sound sources, without any preconceived notions. We are obliged to offer any assistance to those who are keen to learn and know more about Islam as a way of life.
Muslims calling others to Islam should be sincere in their intention, seeking only the pleasure of Almighty God in this life, and in the Hereafter, to enjoy the permanent abode in Jannah, and purifying their motives from any personal gains. One of the Companions of God’s Messenger (pbuh) once said when he was asked about the reason for his participation in the fight for the cause of God:
‘Allah, the Exalted, has sent us to deliver you from worshiping the creation to worshiping the Creator of the creation; and to deliver you from the constriction of this world to the vastness of the after-life and from the oppression of the religions to the justice of Islam.’
As for the divine reward in the Hereafter, we Muslims believe that there are two permanent abodes in the Hereafter, without a third: either Jannah, full of bliss and eternal happiness, or else the Hellfire of eternal torture. Jannah is the graceful reward from God to those who obeyed His Commands. Almighty God states in the Qur’an:
(If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to God), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of the losers.) [3:85]
This is also based on the statement of the Qur’an:
(As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they have, for their entertainment, the Gardens of Jannah, Wherein they shall dwell (forever): no change will they wish for themselves.) [18:107-108]
Furthermore, the Almighty promised Hellfire to those who disobey His commands and associate partners with Him in worship. He states in the Qur’an:
(Indeed, God does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates in worship others with God has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.) [4:48]
Since the advent of Islam, the enemies of Islam have waged wars against Islam, and the wars continue till today. The anti-Islamic elements have exploited all possible means in this war. People with sanity and maturity will remain unaffected since they successfully differentiate between truth and falsehood.
Eminent religious people from other Faiths continue, increasingly, to join Islam as a way of life, and this in itself is an evidence to prove the magnificence of Islam as a religion and way of life. The Almighty assured us that He will preserve His religion of Islam for mankind. He states in the Qur’an:
(Indeed, it is We who sent down the revelation and indeed, We will be its guardian.) [15:9]
Let us end our booklet with a beautiful quote from God’s Messenger (pbuh),
‘The most beloved people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to the people. The most beloved deed to Allah is to make a Muslim happy, or to remove one of his troubles, or to forgive his debt, or to feed his hunger. That I walk with a brother regarding a need is more beloved to me than that I seclude myself in this mosque in Medina for a month. Whoever swallows his anger, then Allah will conceal his faults. Whoever suppresses his rage, even though he could fulfill his anger if he wished, then Allah will secure his heart on the Day of Resurrection.
Whoever walks with his brother regarding a need until he secures it for him, then Allah the Exalted will make his footing firm across the bridge on the day when the footings are shaken.’ [Reported by Tabarani and ibn Abi-Dunya, and al-Albani declared it sound in Sahih al-Jam’i]
Reference : Dr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Sheha, Human Rights in Islam, Usool International Centre, Riyadh, ISBN: 978-603-90936-9-5
Main article : Human Rights in Islam
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