Few rights of minorities in an Islamic state
Minorities have fundamental rights to safeguard their well-being in an Islamic state. These rights include the capacity to exercise their religion without hindrance, the protection of their places of worship, parity with others in legal matters, the right to own property, representation in the political process, the preservation of their cultural legacy, and immunity from discrimination. With the protection of these rights, minorities can live in harmony, preserve their distinctive identities, and actively participate in society without fear of discrimination or retaliation because of their beliefs or ethnicity.
In an Islamic government, leaders are strongly encouraged to follow Islamic values like kindness, fairness, and justice when dealing with their citizens. This applies to both Muslims and people of other religions, with no distinction. It teaches that just as Allah is merciful to Muslims, He is also merciful to people of other faiths like Jews, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and more. Everyone has an equal right to the basic necessities of life like food, air, water, and light. No one should be denied these rights.
Similarly, a government that claims to follow divine law should establish a fair system of governance based on the teachings of the Quran and Hadith. This system should provide everyone, regardless of their religion, with basic rights and necessities without discrimination.
If a prejudiced and narrow-minded ruler in an Islamic government favors the rights of Muslims but neglects the rights of non-Muslim minorities, it is a clear violation of Islamic principles. Islam teaches that there should be no discrimination between Muslims and non-Muslims when it comes to basic rights and necessities of life. It is a duty for the ruler to treat all citizens equally, regardless of their religion, following the guidance of the Quran, Hadith, and the example of the rightly guided Caliphs.
It is also essential for Muslim citizens to either advocate for the rights of minorities with such a ruler or distance themselves from such a government. If Muslim citizens remain silent and do not protect the rights of minorities, they share in the wrongdoing of the ruler.
Therefore, the idea that Islam does not consider the rights of minorities or disregards them is not accurate. In today's Friday sermon, we will make an effort to discuss the rights that Islam provides to minorities in an Islamic state.
Equal Rights for Muslims:
There are a few aspects where Allah has equally endowed non-Muslims with rights similar to those of Muslims. Only a few examples are mentioned here:
Human Dignity:
Islam has granted all humans, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, a special status and respect that cannot be found in any other religion or belief system. Regardless of whether a person is a Muslim, a non-Muslim, a subject of the Islamic state, or a combatant, human dignity and respect are preserved. Islam has specified respect and honor for every individual, whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim, free or under protection, alive or deceased. In all circumstances, Islam has emphasized the dignity and respect of humanity, which is not found in any other religion or belief system.
Protection of Life:
Islam provides non-Muslims with the right to life and security. Their lives are inviolable, just as the lives of Muslims are. Islam has made it obligatory for the rulers and Muslims to protect the lives of non-Muslims residing in an Islamic state. Killing a non-Muslim without justification is as grave a sin as killing a Muslim.
Protection of Property:
Just as Muslims have the right to own property, non-Muslims also have the right to own and protect their property under Islamic law. The property of non-Muslims is considered sacred, and no one is allowed to take it unlawfully.
These are just a few examples of how Islam grants rights and protections to non-Muslims living in an Islamic state. Islam emphasizes equality and fairness for all, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Human Dignity: In Islam, one can gauge the respect, honor, and dignity for human life from this blessed verse of the Holy Quran, in which Allah Almighty has explicitly stated that unjustly taking a life is equivalent to killing all of humanity. It is guidance from the Creator Himself:
"And whoever saves one [life] - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely." (Quran, Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:32)
This verse underscores the immense value placed on the sanctity of human life in Islam, emphasizing the prohibition of unjustly taking any life and highlighting the importance of preserving and respecting human lives.
"Whoever kills a person, it is as if he has killed all of humanity; and whoever saves one life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity."
Here, the term "person" is general and applies universally. It means that unjustly taking the life of any human being, regardless of their religion, language, or nationality, is absolutely forbidden and sinful. It is equivalent to taking the lives of all of humanity. Therefore, in a Muslim state, taking the life of a non-Muslim resident in a peaceful and populated area is considered just as grave a sin as taking the life of a Muslim.
Respect for the Deceased:
Islam does not limit the respect, honor, and dignity of human life only while one is alive but extends it even after death. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the sanctity and respect for the deceased to the extent that he equated the mistreatment of a deceased person's body to severing their limbs, cutting their ears and nose, burning their corpse, or desecrating their grave as actions that are strictly prohibited and considered sinful. Abdullah bin Zaid Ansari said, "To disrespect the dead is as sinful as disrespecting the living."
