The Protection of Human Rights

Muhammad (peace be upon him) defended human rights for males and females, young and old, regardless of their social status. He established a set of sublime principles; a prime example being in the speech he (peace be upon him) delivered during his farewell pilgrimage wherein he (peace be upon him) declared strict prohibition of transgression against people's lives, property and honor. These principles he laid down long before the world knew of the Magna Charta of 1215, the Declaration of Rights of 1628, the Personal Freedoms Law of 1679, the American Declaration of Independence of 1776, the Human and Citizen Rights Charter of 1789 or the worldwide Declaration of Human Rights of 1948.

The principles of human rights established by the Islamic Shari`ah (legal system) preceded all other human rights declarations by many centuries, and extended protection to animals, plants and the general environment as one of the branches of faith. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: "Faith is seventy some branches, the highest of which is [witnessing] that there is no deity [worthy of worship] but Allah and the least of which is the removal of something harmful from the road." [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim].

Similarly, he prohibited relieving oneself in shady places where people stop to rest. Some other general rulings in this area are:
1. Protection of Human Life – Islam introduced such legislation as:
Prohibition of taking a life without legal right, regarding it as grave a sin as the killing of all mankind. Allah said in the Qur'an: " if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind." [Surat Al Ma'idah: 32].

Prohibition of suicide – The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: " Whoever purposely throws himself from a mountain and kills himself, will be in the (Hell) Fire falling down into it and abiding therein perpetually forever; and whoever drinks poison and kills himself with it, he will be carrying his poison in his hand and drinking it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally forever; and whoever kills himself with an iron weapon, will be carrying that weapon in his hand and stabbing his abdomen with it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally forever." [Reported by Al-Bukhari].

Prevention of the means that lead to killing – The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: " Anyone carries a weapon against us will not be one of us.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Prohibition of threat and terrorism, even in jest.

Prohibition of harm, even potential harm – The Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered those who passed through a marketplace carrying arrows to cover them to prevent injury. He (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever passes through our mosques or markets with arrows should hold them by their heads lest he should injure a Muslim." [Reported by Al-Bukhari].

The prophetic sayings prohibiting harm and ordering its cessation are numerous, such as: "Anyone points at his Muslim brother with a piece of iron, angels curse him even if the other person is his real brother." [Reported by Muslim].

And he considered refraining from harming others to be among the rights of [those on] the road which a Muslim is obligated to respect.

2. Protection of the Mind

Prohibition of whatever corrupts the mind physically, as when the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Every intoxicant affects the mind and everything that affects the mind is forbidden." [Reported by Muslim].

And prohibition of whatever corrupts the mind mentally, such as doctrines of superstition, hoaxes, blind imitation of others or refusal to reason logically.

3. Protection of Lineage

Encouragement of marriage – The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"O young youths, whoever of you is able to marry should marry."

Prohibition of killing children and of abortion – Allah said: "And do not kill your children." [Surat Al Isra':31].

Islam forbade the killing of a fetus or aborting it unless there is a definite danger to the mother's life.

4. Protection of Chastity and Honor

Prohibition of fornication and adultery with confirmation of a legal punishment for it – Allah said: "And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way." [Surat Al Isra':32].

And He says: "The woman or man found guilty of fornication – lash each one of them with a hundred lashes." [Surat An-Nur:2].

Prohibition of false accusation with confirmation of punishment for it – Allah said: "Indeed, those who [falsely] accuse chaste, unaware and believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter; and they will have a great punishment." [Surat An-Nur: 23].

And He said: "And those who accuse chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses – lash them with eighty lashes and do not accept from them testimony ever after. And those are the defiantly disobedient." [Surat An-Nur: 4].

And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Avoid the seven major sins," and mentioned among them the false accusation of chaste, unaware, believing women.

Instructing the avoidance of suspicious situations so that conduct and morals will not be suspect.

5. Protection of Property

Enjoinment of moderation in spending - Allah, the Mighty and Majestic said:
"And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck [refusing to spend] or extend it completely [being extravagant] and thereby become blamed and insolvent." [Surat Al Isra': 29].

Legislative measures concerning transgression against people's wealth and property.

Commandments to guard the properties of orphans and weak members of society.

Prohibition of interest, usury and taking the wealth of others under false pretenses.

6. Upholding the Honor of Women

Strong advocation by the Prophet (peace be upon him) for the care of women – Numerous instructions were given by him in this regard, such as his saying,
"You are advised to be good to women," [Reported by Al Bukhari]. and, "The best of you are the best of you to their wives, and I am the best of you to my wives." [Reported by At-Tirmidhy].

Affirmation that women are equal in humanity to men – The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Women are the sisters of men." [Reported by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhy].

Participation of women with men in religious rites and social work – Allah says: "The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, establish prayer, give zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those – Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise." [Surat At-Tawbah: 71].

Granting women the right to learning and education – several sources confirm that an educated woman among the companions taught writing to the Prophet's (peace be upon him) wife, Hafsah bint Umar. His acknowledgement of that points to his approval of women's education since he made his own household a practical example for others.

Granting women financial rights – Islam established for them the right to inheritance and gave them preference over men in their right to a marriage dowry and maintenance, even when wealthy. It also upheld their right to buy, sell, rent and to give gifts and charities.