Rights in Islam have certain features:
- Every individual and creature’s rights are secured from children, women, animals to even non Muslims;
- All rights are God-given and thus not open to negotiation or change;
- There are checks and balances to prevent abuse of rights as well as ensure the smooth running of the world;
- There is a greater emphasis on fulfilling other people’s rights than on demanding the acquisition of one’s rights.
WIFE’S RIGHTS
"THE BELIVERS who show the most perfect faith are those who have the best disposition and the best of you are those who are best to their wives." (Tirmidhi)
The Holy Qur’aan orders men to live with their wives in a beautiful manner. This is one right secured by Islam centuries before any other nation.
ANIMALS
THE CORRECT treatment of animals; that they be used for the purposes they were created and not overburdened, was clearly mentioned in the Hadith 1400 years ago when no one gave a thought to animal rights.
Even disbelievers, the arch-enemies of Allah Ta’ala, enjoy rights in and out of an Islamic state: the Sahaaba dealt kindly with even Jewish neighbours who displayed inimical hatred for Islam.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "One who kills a man under covenant (i.e., a non Muslim citizen of a Muslim land) will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise."
Non combatant civilians of a state at war with Muslims cannot be made targets of military action.
DIFFERENCE
THE FUNDAMENTAL difference in approach towards rights by Muslims and non Muslims is the Islamic emphasis on fulfilling other’s rights while overlooking the shortcomings of others in fulfilling one’s rights.
A study of the two approaches adequately illustrates which system is more successful: The one where everyone is conscientised towards fulfilment of other’s rights sees less fragmentation of society and more genuine happiness.
Muslims have a more than adequate answer in Islam to any system or ideology.
