@DR OSMAN every man whether he belongs to this country or that, whether he is a believer or unbeliever, whether he lives in some forest or is found in some desert, whatever be the case, he has some basic human rights simply because he is a human being, which should be recognized by every Muslim. In fact it will be his duty to fulfil these obligations.
The Right to Life
Whosoever kills a human being without (any reason like) man slaughter, or corruption on earth, it is as though he had killed all mankind ... (5:32)
As far as the question of taking life in retaliation for murder or the question of punishment for spreading corruption on this earth is concerned, it can be decided only by a proper and competent court of law. If there is any war with any nation or country, it can be decided only by a properly established government. In any case, no human being has any right by himself to take human life in retaliation or for causing mischief on this earth. Therefore it is incumbent on every human being that under no circumstances should he be guilty of taking a human life.
The Right to the Safety of Life
Immediately after the verse of the Holy Quran which has been mentioned in connection with the right to life, God has said:
"And whoever saves a life it is as though he had saved the lives of all mankind" (5:32).
There can be several forms of saving man from death. A man may be ill or wounded, irrespective of his nationality, race or colour. If you know that he is in need of your help, then it is your duty that you should arrange for his treatment for disease or wound. If he is dying of starvation, then it is your duty to feed him so that he can ward off death. If he is drowning or his life is at stake, then it is your duty to save him.
Respect for the Chastity of Women
The third important thing that we find in the Charter of Human Rights granted by Islam is that a woman's chastity has to be respected and protected under all circumstances, whether she belongs to our own nation or to the nation of an enemy, whether we find her in the wild forest or in a conquered city; whether she is our co-religionist or belongs to some other religion or has no religion at all. A Muslim cannot outrage her under any circumstances.
The Right to a Basic Standard of Life
Speaking about the economic rights the Holy Quran enjoins upon its followers:
And in their wealth there is acknowledged right for the needy and destitute. (51:19)
The clear meaning of this verse is that anyone who asks for help and anyone who is suffering from deprivation has a right in the property and wealth of the Muslims; irrespective of the fact whether he belongs to this nation or to that nation, to this country or to that country, to this race or to that race. If you are in a position to help and a needy person asks you for help or if you come to know that he is in need, then it is your duty to help him. God has established his right over you, which you have to honour as a Muslim.
Prohibition of slavery and acknowledging freedom as an inherent right.
There are many rulings in Islam pertaining to slaves. Those rulings were meant to provide slaves some protection in a time when slavery has been an unjust global custom. Islam has taken a number of measurements to abolish slavery. Among of those measurements are making the emancipation of a slave as an expiation for some legal faults. In a hadith narrated by Abu-Hurayrah(RA) , he said that the Messenger (PBUH) had said, “I will be against three persons on the Day of Resurrection…[among of them he mentioned]one who sells a free person (as a slave) and eats the price…”(Shaih al-Bukhary).
Political rights in Islam
Islam has conferred general principles that are developable according to time and place by the competent specialists. It called for two main principles in the political life:
a- Shura (consultation): Islam recognizes shura as the straight and logical way that would lead the society along with man toward the right method and opinion and to happiness in life. Because of the high importance of the shura as a principle, Islam has made it a general principle, that is to include all aspects of life. It is a duty, thus, on every member of the society to make shura (consult others) and to be open for other opinions, even in minor issues. Under Islam, people are very much encouraged to exchange ideas and thoughts and to examine different opinions in order to reach the best one. Allah (SWT) says, “And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend.” (Ash-Shura: 38).
Freedom of expression: Islam has ensured freedom of speech, which means that every human being enjoys his complete freedom to utter the truth and offer an advice for every Muslim brother. Allah (SWT), however, has specified some controls to keep it within certain limits, for freedom does not mean chaos. These restrictions are meant to avoid misusing this right, so one would not be encouraged to let his tongue or intellect deviate from the right path.
@DR OSMAN The Islamic view of humanity is filled with mercy and compassion, and it cannot be otherwise, because the Islamic religion is the last of the religions that were prescribed by Allah, may He be exalted, and He commanded all of mankind to enter this religion. He revealed this religion and sent it down to the most compassionate of mankind, Muhammad (SAW).
