Traditional Indian Muslim Ulama on The Varied Dimensions of Human Rights
By
Abdur Raheem Kidwai, New Age Islam
24 May 2024
Islam
aur Insani Huquq (Islam and Human Rights)
Edited
by Afzal Misbahi
Language:
Urdu
Ghazipur,
India, Mah-i-Nur Publications, 2023.
Pp.382,
ISBN: 93-5980-620-X
The issue of Human Rights has assumed greater
prominence in our times. Those hostile to Islam often seeks to discredit both
Islam and Muslim societies, charging them with their scant regard for Human
Rights. It is most gratifying that this collection of 36 articles represents
the deliberations of traditional Indian Muslim Ulema and scholars on the varied
dimensions of Human Rights, reflecting as it does their admirable engagement
with modernity. The editor, Afzal Misbahi, Assistant Professor of Urdu at Banaras
Hindu University, India has done well to bring out this Volume, divided neatly
into the following thematic sections, each containing several articles:
Evolution of the concept of Human Rights, the Islamic stance on Human Rights, a
comparison between the Islamic and Western concepts, right due to various
sections of society, women’s rights in Islam, Islamic Law vis-à-vis Human Rights, and the perception of Human
Rights in the four major Islamic schools of jurisprudence, namely, Hanafi,
Maliki, Shafai and Hanbali.
Among the
many articles, the following ones stand out for their in-depth analysis and
brilliant exposition of the Islamic stance: i) Nizamuddin Rizvi’s on the
delineation of Human Rights in Hadith ii) Muhibbul Haq’s on the global scenario
pertaining to Human Rights. iii) Ahmad Javed’s elucidation of the Prophet
Muhammad’s stance on Human Rights as reflected in his Farewell Hajj sermon
which stands out as the first pronouncement on egalitarian social justice,
equality and cordial relations. iv) Ashhar Qadeer’s and Abrar Alam’s articles
spelling out the rights of animals and other living beings in Islam. Equally
instructive are the articles detailing obligations to neighbours, widows,
orphans, parents, children, labourers, non-Muslims and the underprivileged
strata.
The section
on women’s rights by three scholars accentuates the unmistakable note of gender
justice permeating the Islamic directives for treating women. In view of the
perceived plight of women in Muslim societies, these writings are highly
welcome and much needed. More importantly, these life-enriching Islamic
teachings should be earnestly implemented. Another area of concern, which is
often neglected, is the fair treatment of non-Muslim minorities in Muslim
countries. Our conduct on this count is regrettably discordant with what Islam
asks us to practise. v) Akhtarul Wasey’s thought-provoking discussion on
forging and maintaining warm social relations and developing better, nuanced
communication and understanding with non-Muslims is highly commendable. He has
sagaciously charted a road map and feasible practical suggestions for evolving
rapport with non-Muslims while complying with the Islamic norms in this domain.
vi)
The worthy
editor, Afzal Misbahi has sincerely exhorted Muslims to play a meaningful role
in reinforcing amity, peace and happiness, which is an important Islamic ideal.
His plea rests on the planks of the Quran and Sirah.
As the
editor of the Volume, Misbahi has done well to include the provisions in the
four juristic schools on professing and practising Human Rights. This feature
of the Volume not only displays the fecundity and diversity of Islamic
jurisprudence, it also broadens the appeal of the work to readers. The
inclusion of interviews with the representatives of Judaism and Christianity in
India has also enhanced the value of the book, as it adds a comparative
religion streak to the discourse on Human Rights.
Afzal
Misbahi deserves accolades for his editorial assiduity, breadth of coverage and
catholicity of mind. This work would be read with much profit by all those
interested in the study of the Islamic perspective on Human Rights.
----
Abdur Raheem Kidwai is a Professor of English at
the Aligarh Muslim University, India and a Visiting Fellow, the School of
English, University of Leicester, UK. He has published 22 books on Islam, the
Quran, and English Literature.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism