The Uneven Response of Islam to Universal Human Rights

[cooterhein]

In 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was the first global expression of what rights all human beings are entitled to. It holds the distinction of being the most-translated document in the world, and is understood by many international lawyers as being part of customary international law. It is a fundamental constitutive document of the United Nations.
Many Islamic countries, most notably Turkey, signed on and praised the document. Saudi Arabia was a notable opponent that offered some harsh criticism. Pakistan would later lodge a formal disagreement with these criticisms. Most African countries at this point were not a part of the UN, so it didn't really apply to them.

Later, in 1990, the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam was created. Countries like Egypt, Saudi, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan signed on. It affirmed much of what the Universal Declaration said, but it upheld the inequalities inherent in Islamic law. To clarify, these countries are generally known as bad actors when it comes to human rights, the treatment of women, and religious freedom, but they went out of their way to protect Islam and uphold inequities in the name of Islamic sharia.

You can probably tell where I stand on this, but I want to put this out there for a random group of Muslims to comment on. What do you think of the different options that Islamic countries had available to them? Should they have all gotten on board with the Universal Declaration? Is the Cairo document something that you're sympathetic toward, or do you view it as a mistake, an embarrassment, or something that is used to prop up evil in the name of Islam?

And in general, from you as a Muslim to me as a Christian in the United States, what do you want me to know about either of these documents and about a particular kind of Islamic approach to this sort of issue?

 

[*charisma*]

Firstly, the UN sucks. Its doing nothing in regards to the palestinian-israeli conflict so I personally dont think they have any validity or authority to tell any country what to do since its quite hypocrital. They only makes moves based on how it affects first world countries. Israel has broken MANY UN resolutions as well as international laws, so what difference does it make what we think?? If the UN allows Israel to continue what its doing then whats the point of their list of "human rights"? The UN can list a million "human rights" but it means nothing if they themselves cannot implement it. So enough about pointing fingers towards countries like saudi arabia and pakistan cuz im 100% sure whatever "rights" their governments deny them, the people will still rather be in their own respective countries than to be palestinians under occupation, isolation, and oppression.

 

[Zafran]

salaam

There is no country that agrees with universal human rights set up by the UN because they are vague and contradict each other. Its basically meaningless.

For example article 29 contradicts article 19 and a lot of other articles. Charisma gave one example but there many examples of the UN not being able to do anything when powerful nations decide to bomb or pillage or bully weaker nations.

 

[Scimitar]

In 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was the first global expression of what rights all human beings are entitled to. It holds the distinction of being the most-translated document in the world, and is understood by many international lawyers as being part of customary international law. It is a fundamental constitutive document of the United Nations.

Ever heard of Cyrus? the Persian? See, this universal declaration is nothing new.... go back 2,600 years and you find it.

Many Islamic countries...

...And in general, from you as a Muslim to me as a Christian in the United States, what do you want me to know about either of these documents and about a particular kind of Islamic approach to this sort of issue?

This is what I would have you know:

The Prophet Muhammad's Final Sermon:

After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said "O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Al-Abbas ibn Abd’el Muttalib shall henceforth be waived.

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under a trust from God and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat. Perform Hajj if you have the means.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; [none have superiority over another] except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before God and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people."

Thus the beloved Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down:

"…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…" (Quran 5:3)

Even today the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad is passed to every Muslim in every corner of the world through all possible means of communication. Muslims are reminded about it in mosques and in lectures. Indeed the meanings found in this sermon are indeed astounding, touching upon some of the most important rights God has over humanity, and humanity has over each other. Though the Prophet’s soul has left this world, his words are still living in our hearts.

Would you, as a Christian find it hard to agree with this Universal Declaration of Faith, Rights and Equity?

I do not believe you would disagree with it - we do not need a Euro version of already well established ideas and concepts, we don't need a Middle Eastern rehash which butchers the very intent of the Prophet pbuh,

what we want is for the world to see our truth, because they will agree with it - but the media... heck with the media and their poli-tricking.

What say thee? Would you, as a Christian find it hard to agree with this Universal Declaration of Faith, Rights and Equity? Can we stand united in this? or apart? Those who believe in nothing will fall for anything...

Scimi

 

[cooterhein]

Would you, as a Christian find it hard to agree with this Universal Declaration of Faith, Rights and Equity?

The first thing I noticed is that the correct treatment of people was only applied to Muslims, so no, I would not agree with that sort of limitation. I would also disagree with the prohibition of usury especially as it's applied to debt as a practical matter, and I would immediately point to the overall assessments of human rights abuses and near-total lack of freedom for people who live in countries that take this most seriously. I will also point out that Israel, although far from perfect, is miles better than its neighbors in terms of the way it treats minorities in its land- and that is the true measure of what sort of person you are, not just the measure of how you treat people who belong to your own religion and adequately agree with you within that sphere.

I do not believe you would disagree with it - we do not need a Euro version of already well established ideas and concepts, we don't need a Middle Eastern rehash which butchers the very intent of the Prophet pbuh,

I'd argue that you do need a Euro version, especially when you look at the blatantly obvious results in Syria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan....they are the worst of the worst, by any objective measurement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_in_the_World
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_Press_(report)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Index_of_Moral_Freedom

what we want is for the world to see our truth, because they will agree with it - but the media... heck with the media and their poli-tricking.

You know I'm one of those people in the world, right? The truth I see is that Muslim countries, and especially countries with Islamic law, consistently treat non-Muslims very badly.

What say thee?

Would you, as a Christian find it hard to agree with this Universal Declaration of Faith, Rights and Equity? Can we stand united in this? or apart? Those who believe in nothing will fall for anything...

No of course we're not standing together on this Specifically Muslim Declaration of Faith Rights and Equity, something that was spoken by (Mohammad - PBUH {name correction by mod}) for Muslims and only for the good of Muslims.
What do you have to say about Turkey, an overwhelmingly Muslim country that enthusiastically adopted the Actually Universal Document of the UN? Why was that a mistake for them, and what does it say about Turkey?

 

[cooterhein]

salaam

There is no country that agrees with universal human rights set up by the UN because they are vague and contradict each other. Its basically meaningless.

There are a lot of countries that agree with this particular document as it pertains to universal human rights, because they have said so in an official capacity. When they do that, it means they have agreed with it. It's official.
How is it meaningless if it is commonly held to be a part of international law? That can only be truly meaningless if international law in and of itself is meaningless.

 

[cooterhein]

Firstly, the UN sucks. Its doing nothing in regards to the palestinian-israeli conflict so I personally dont think they have any validity or authority to tell any country what to do since its quite hypocrital. They only makes moves based on how it affects first world countries. Israel has broken MANY UN resolutions as well as international laws, so what difference does it make what we think?? If the UN allows Israel to continue what its doing then whats the point of their list of "human rights"? The UN can list a million "human rights" but it means nothing if they themselves cannot implement it. So enough about pointing fingers towards countries like saudi arabia and pakistan cuz im 100% sure whatever "rights" their governments deny them, the people will still rather be in their own respective countries than to be palestinians under occupation, isolation, and oppression.

The occupied Palestinian territories have the stated goal of killing all Jews, the governing bodies these people have elected are officially classified as terror groups, and while over a million Palestinians live as Israeli citizens with equal rights on paper and mostly equal opportunities in actual application, one of the trenchantly upheld features of a two state solution is that the Palestinian state will absolutely prohibit the presence of any Jew within its borders. Now, if that's a hill they want to die on, I say go and die there.

 

[Zafran]

There are a lot of countries that agree with this particular document as it pertains to universal human rights, because they have said so in an official capacity. When they do that, it means they have agreed with it. It's official.
How is it meaningless if it is commonly held to be a part of international law? That can only be truly meaningless if international law in and of itself is meaningless.

I'll give you an example - The US and Guantanamo - The US government says it agrees with the UN decalrtion of independece but it by putting people in Gitmo it contradicts article 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11......... they could defend it by article 19 lol. Thats one country.

 

[Zafran]

The occupied Palestinian territories have the stated goal of killing all Jews, the governing bodies these people have elected are officially classified as terror groups, and while over a million Palestinians live as Israeli citizens with equal rights on paper and mostly equal opportunities in actual application, one of the trenchantly upheld features of a two state solution is that the Palestinian state will absolutely prohibit the presence of any Jew within its borders. Now, if that's a hill they want to die on, I say go and die there.

Thats not true at all - according to the UN security council Israel is an occupying force - Its because of US Veto power that they dont get punished. According the UN two state solution Israel HAS to withdraw to pre 1967 borders - abandon the illegal settlements and lift the blockade on Gaza otherwise its an apartheid State like south Africa.

 

[*charisma*]

The occupied Palestinian territories have the stated goal of killing all Jews, the governing bodies these people have elected are officially classified as terror groups, and while over a million Palestinians live as Israeli citizens with equal rights on paper and mostly equal opportunities in actual application, one of the trenchantly upheld features of a two state solution is that the Palestinian state will absolutely prohibit the presence of any Jew within its borders. Now, if that's a hill they want to die on, I say go and die there.

Yeah at this point, I don't blame them for wanting to kill all "jews", however everything you've stated is absolute BS. I've seen this country with my own eyes. Secondly there's a difference between jews and zionists and your little bit of knowledge on the topic was clearly unable to make that distinction lumping jews and zionists together. Key word: occupation.

There's no justification for anything that they've done. THere's no justification for the apartheid wall. THere's no justification for jailing children. THere's no justification for cutting off water and electrical supplies. There's no justification for bombing schools and hospitals. And there's no such thing as "equal rights." Stop being delusional.

 

[cooterhein]

I'll give you an example - The US and Guantanamo - The US government says it agrees with the UN decalrtion of independece but it by putting people in Gitmo it contradicts article 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11......... they could defend it by article 19 lol. Thats one country.

This is an example of how a country can get dinged a few points and wind up with a less than perfect level of compliance. It doesn't completely destroy every shred of compliance, which is what you seem to be implying. There is no actual measure of compliance that would indicate such a thing. And the US (Obama mostly) has been working on getting people out of there a little at a time, but a certain political party in the US has been just a bit difficult....
There are 79 detainees left, last I checked, this has been going down a little at a time. It might be as low as 30 or so by the time Obama leaves office, he may not be able to close it as he had hoped.

 

[Scimitar]

The first thing I noticed is that the correct treatment of people was only applied to Muslims, so no, I would not agree with that sort of limitation. I would also disagree with the prohibition of usury especially as it's applied to debt as a practical matter, and I would immediately point to the overall assessments of human rights abuses and near-total lack of freedom for people who live in countries that take this most seriously. I will also point out that Israel, although far from perfect, is miles better than its neighbors in terms of the way it treats minorities in its land- and that is the true measure of what sort of person you are, not just the measure of how you treat people who belong to your own religion and adequately agree with you within that sphere.

We by default give non Muslims who live in our lands freedom to live how they like, worship who they like and even govern their own affairs according to their faith... didn't you know this? A Dhimmi (non Muslim) would pay less tax than a Muslim in Muslims lands - they are afforded protection, and have lived for over a thousand years among us with no issue at all.

Even Umar RA the second khaliph of Islam was invited by the Jews of Jerusalem to govern it - he didn't take it by force... but i guess they do not teach this in the USA.

You cite Syria, Egypt, Iran, etc in the next... I'll explain to you how:

I'd argue that you do need a Euro version, especially when you look at the blatantly obvious results in Syria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan....they are the worst of the worst, by any objective measurement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_in_the_World
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_Press_(report)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Index_of_Moral_Freedom

Look bro, no offence but WIKI is not a reliable source for anythin, but I'll humour you anyway,

Syria - Yazidi's Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc lived side by side for millenia... they did so also in the other nations you mention. How awake are you to real world history? Is you version of history propagated only from one arm? the western? or do you study the comparatives?

I'm trying to gage whether you are indoctrinated or awake and can fathom what a comparative is - and since you are asking for us to do comparatives here - I do wonder if you are capable of doing these yourself? and if not - must I then take things slow with you, like a teacher and student type slow? step by step...

Egypt - coptic Christians sided with Muslims when the Christian emperor of Rome - heracles - broke his treaty with Muslims... those truthful coptics kept their word, and Muslims honoured them for their support.

I gather you do not know about this - and granted this is the first example - if you remain unaware of it - I feel we should start here and I can lead you through the comparatives in history step by step until you realise - you beed duped by the western arm of lies, and thuse was unable to measure any truth.

I will not feed your bias - I will only give you the truth, whether you like it, or don't like it - although not liking truth is very counter productive to your intended reason for making this thread.

Let's move onto Iran... what example are you citing? I see nothing Iran has done wrong in centuries - do you know the last time Iran invaded any country? over two centuries ago... when was the last time your nation invaded another? a few weeks ago? yesterday? Please understand - Iran is a diverse nation with Muslims, Christians, Jews, and even Zoroastrians living there side by side even today - what are they indoctrinating you with exactly? You won't hear a Christian or Jew or Zoroastrian in Iran complain of "unfair treatment" I can tell you that.

Shall we move onto Iraq? Or Sudan next? Or Libya? Or how about the USA's next intended target? Lebanon? Please tell me which? I can seriously open the gates to each of these and go step by step, through the comparative historical process from ancient times right up to modern day... will you be willing to engage?

You know I'm one of those people in the world, right? The truth I see is that Muslim countries, and especially countries with Islamic law, consistently treat non-Muslims very badly.

Which Muslims countries have you been to? I'm honestly curious. Or is this the media you cite as "example"??? Please do answer me - because I've been to many Muslim nations in my time and I can honestly say, I was also duped by the long arm of the media and western spin.

Have you heard of BBC Journalist Yvonne Ridley? She was captured by the Taliban, and imprisoned - taken good care of - her own words, and when she was released, she decided to study the Qur'an and Islam and while in the UK, under no compulsion or threat - she embraced the faith and is a Muslim now for over a decade - this, after 911 media nonsense. She was a true journalist, one who did not sell out - go check her story out for more clarification of western spin and media indoctrinate lies.

You owe it to yourself with your hubris in tow.

No of course we're not standing together on this Specifically Muslim Declaration of Faith Rights and Equity, something that was spoken by Mo for Muslims and only for the good of Muslims.

First of all you will not find Muslims abbreviating Jesus pbuh to Jes, or anything of the sort - His name is Muhammad and it means "most praised/beloved" you can find in Songs of Solomon 5:16 with the added IM at the end of his name as a suffix of respect - so honour your own holy book and address him as such if you will, but no more mo.

The word Muslim, means "One who submits their will to the Creator, God" ... guess what? Abraham was a Muslim, so was Isaac and Ishmael, and all the prophets stemming from the line if Isaac too - and so was Jesus pbuh who said "I of my own will do nothing, but with the will of the father (God)".

Want me to quote more of your scripture ??? see i'm not only verses in the comparatives from history, but religion as well, particularly the Abrahamic traditions.

When you come here with an "us vs them" attitude, I find it truly misplaced.

Look, I want you to realise something ok? Together, our two faith groups constitute more than half of the worlds populus. There can be no "peace" unless we reconcile what our faiths have taught us.

Jesus pbuh said "Hear O Israel - the Lord, God, is ONE, and you know Mark 12:31 don't you? "Love thy neighbour as you love your self" ???

Imam Ali said "none of you truly believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself", he was asked "Is that my brother in Islam?" he replied "No, your brother in humanity".

The Prophet pbuh also said the same.

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 13, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 45

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

An-Nawawi said “This is interpreted as brotherhood in general, such that it includes the disbeliever and the Muslim..."

Source: Sharḥ al-Arba’īn 13

Can you do comparatives?

What do you have to say about Turkey, an overwhelmingly Muslim country that enthusiastically adopted the Actually Universal Document of the UN? Why was that a mistake for them, and what does it say about Turkey?

I've also been to Turkey, where east meets west in more than just geography... Turkey makes me giggle.

It's a compromised nation headed off by the Donmeh... do you know what that means? Look, if you don't, then you are (with respect) quite green around the ears and this shows with your line of questioning.

Please do show me that I am not wasting my time. So far I'm beginning to suspect that I am.

For the record, I have Christian friends whom consider me their brother and I consider them mine. We built our relationship based on what our holy books tell us and you know what? Your US vs THEM attitude doesn't work for me.

I'm waiting for you to prove me wrong,

God bless,

Scimi

EDIT: if you wish to discuss the modern events of todays era - you will have to start at the beginning. This is how I start, not in the middle like a "choose your own adventure" book from the eighties, ok?

As for ISIS: we do not recognise them as people of our faith, but extremists who take lives of Muslims, Jews, Christians, Yazidi's, etc for the very agencies they work for - Sempre Fe is alive and kicking, blackwater is just one example, and I can inundate you with many, enough to get you to change your narrative.

 

[cooterhein]

Thats not true at all - according to the UN security council Israel is an occupying force - Its because of US Veto power that they dont get punished. According the UN two state solution Israel HAS to withdraw to pre 1967 borders - abandon the illegal settlements and lift the blockade on Gaza otherwise its an apartheid State like south Africa.

That's a fair point, the US has used its veto power on many occasions to be a bad neighbor when it comes to Islamic countries. And I understand the emotional force behind your comparison to South Africa, but there are some distinctions that I would argue are actually important....they probably won't be important to you, though.

 

[Scimitar]

That's a fair point, the US has used its veto power on many occasions to be a bad neighbor when it comes to Islamic countries. And I understand the emotional force behind your comparison to South Africa, but there are some distinctions that I would argue are actually important....they probably won't be important to you, though.

Why? because they too are from an "emotional bias" ???

You trying to have the cake and eat it now. Surely you cannot be this disingenuous.

Scimi

 

[Eric H]

Greetings and peace be with you cooterhein; and welcome to the forum,

I am a Catholic, so that makes both of us guests on a Muslim forum, I have found people here to be friendly and helpful over the last eleven years. As Jesus said, we must not ignore the plank in our own eye, whilst we concentrate on the speck in our brother's eye.

A few people were responsible for 9/11, but George Bush held the whole of Afghanistan and Iraq responsible. where is the human right in that? How can you fight evil with more evil? A huge number of Iraqi and Afghan children suffer mental health problems because of the invasions, these children are innocent. Millions of people have been made refugees, loosing everything they have, not to mention the tens of thousands that have died and been injured.

And the Jews are God's chosen people, but they should treat the Palestinians as equals, they have specific scriptures about foreigners.

Ezekiel 47
21 “You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22 You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. 23 In whatever tribe a foreigner resides, there you are to give them their inheritance,” declares the Sovereign LORD.

Leviticus 24
You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19
33 " 'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. 34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Exodus 12:49
The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien living among you."

Exodus 22:21
"Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.

Leviticus 19:10
Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.

There is little evidence of these laws being applied in Israel, since millions of Jews moved there after WW2, and virtually taken over what was once Palestine.

America is responsible for vast misery in the world, it messes about with people's money, the sub prime banking scandal rocked the world. The misuse of lending on a massive scale, highlighting the evil of charging interest, and all the gambling that goes with it.

Coffee workers earn slave wages of a couple of dollars a day, their lives are a miserable existence. Commodity traders make millions gambling on the price of coffee. They exploit the poorest of the poor. Twenty thousand children die every day as a result of grinding poverty, preventable disease and starvation. That is about a hundred million deaths since 9/11, more people know about the three thousand deaths of 9/11 than the hundred million child deaths.

If America spent its war budget on fighting poverty, there would be more justice in the world.

In the spirit of praying for justice for all people, despite our differences.

Eric

 

[eesa the kiwi]

Ever heard of Cyrus? the Persian? See, this universal declaration is nothing new.... go back 2,600 years and you find it.



This is what I would have you know:

The Prophet Muhammad's Final Sermon:

After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said "O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Al-Abbas ibn Abd’el Muttalib shall henceforth be waived.

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under a trust from God and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat. Perform Hajj if you have the means.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; [none have superiority over another] except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before God and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people."

Thus the beloved Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down:

"…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…" (Quran 5:3)

Even today the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad is passed to every Muslim in every corner of the world through all possible means of communication. Muslims are reminded about it in mosques and in lectures. Indeed the meanings found in this sermon are indeed astounding, touching upon some of the most important rights God has over humanity, and humanity has over each other. Though the Prophet’s soul has left this world, his words are still living in our hearts.

Would you, as a Christian find it hard to agree with this Universal Declaration of Faith, Rights and Equity?

I do not believe you would disagree with it - we do not need a Euro version of already well established ideas and concepts, we don't need a Middle Eastern rehash which butchers the very intent of the Prophet pbuh,

what we want is for the world to see our truth, because they will agree with it - but the media... heck with the media and their poli-tricking.

What say thee? Would you, as a Christian find it hard to agree with this Universal Declaration of Faith, Rights and Equity? Can we stand united in this? or apart? Those who believe in nothing will fall for anything...

Scimi

subhannallah when i saw this thread i was going to post the farewell sermon and say that we have our own definition of human rights but you beat me to it
barak Allah fiq

 

[noraina]

The Farewell Sermon is just breath-taking, it so comprehensively lists pretty much every fundamental human right. And mind you, this was over 1400 years ago when human rights elsewhere was non-existent.

I accept that fact that many Muslim nations are in really bad conditions today - and this has nothing to do with Islam because it is these government's failure to practise the guidelines within our religion, and also maybe if Muslim nations weren't being bombed to pieces they'd actually have a chance to develop. But people forget that most nations in Europe, the Americas, whatever, who pride themselves on their human rights' records, actually have also disastrously failed.

The thing with the UN is that it isn't fair like we'd all like it to be, it selectively ignores violations in the more 'powerful' countries, turning a blind eye when it suits it.

I would say internationally, in Muslim nations or not, we have a very uneven response to human rights. I don't see any place in the world having perfect justice, it's all become very selfish and enforcers only see what they want to see.

 

[*charisma*]

I will also point out that Israel, although far from perfect, is miles better than its neighbors in terms of the way it treats minorities in its land- and that is the true measure of what sort of person you are, not just the measure of how you treat people who belong to your own religion and adequately agree with you within that sphere.

Right cuz you've been to it's neighboring countries and you're not fed propaganda through a screen. I've visited nearly every single Middle eastern country, and lone and behold there are nonMuslims who've been living there for years HAPPILY and with preference over their own nations. I think you live under a rock cowering in fear with only lies to entertain you.

Israel has been long known for being racist. The only reason it's in power is because that's the only way the West has access to the middle east. Otherwise, how is it that zionists all of a sudden "belong" in a country surrounded by Arab nations? And how do you justify that their DNA originates in EUROPE and not the Middle East?? And why couldnt the first world nations just give a piece of their own lands to them instead of stealing it from the Palestinians?

 

[Scimitar]

When we speak of human rights in Islam we really mean that these rights have been granted by God; they have not been granted by any king or by any legislative assembly. The rights granted by the kings or the legislative assemblies, can also be withdrawn in the same manner in which they are conferred. The same is the case with the rights accepted and recognized by the dictators. They can confer them when they please and withdraw them when they wish; and they can openly violate them when they like.

An example being how The (so called) Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) failed to factor in the very abuse of such a propagation when Palestinians were denied their very own human rights (in the very same year - 1948) because of an illegal and unwarranted invasion of their home land in order to "return the Jews" to their homeland - which they willingly left in the first place millenia ago. This abuse of such a charter saw the Palestinians displaced and relegated to an area by the same UN and it's cronies had carved out with their imperial scalpel; this hypocrisy is warranted to be mentioned here in this very thread. The questions is - what human rights have been afforded to the Palestinians since that time? we're now in 2016 - and the Palestinians are still demanding their human rights...

...In Islam human rights have been conferred by God, no legislative assembly in the world, or any government on earth has the right or authority to make any amendment or change in the rights conferred by God. No one has the right to abrogate them or withdraw them. Nor are they the basic human rights which are conferred on paper for the sake of show and exhibition and denied in actual life when the show is over. Nor are they like philosophical concepts which have no sanctions behind them.

Scimi

 

[Scimitar]

My question is, how far does this "universal declaration of human rights" stretch to when Burma is also an ignored issue in the world today:

Just another example - I can go on and on.

Scimi