🛡 Philosophy of Western Human Rights and the Islamic Analysis
In today’s world, the issue of human rights holds significant importance for Islamic movements. The UN Charter of Human Rights is often viewed as a symbol of goodness and welfare, and some Muslims even claim it is derived from the Farewell Sermon of the Prophet ﷺ. However, when this charter is analyzed within the framework of Western philosophy, its reality becomes far more complex.
The Western concept of human rights is based on capitalist individualism, which does not recognize man as a servant of God, but rather as completely autonomous. In Western thought:
Protagoras, a key Western philosopher, stated:
“Man is the measure of all things.”
Humanism lies at the heart of Western ideology, making man the center and axis of the universe.
According to the Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, humanism originated in 14th-century Italy and spread across Europe.
Prominent Western philosophers have elevated man to a divine position:
The UN Charter of Human Rights aims to free the individual from all religious and external constraints, including:
✔ Freedom to change one’s religion
✔ Rebellion against moral and social traditions
✔ Rejection of Islamic penal codes and Ḥudūd
Such liberties alienate man from religion and make him independent of divine authority.
According to the UNDP Human Development Report 2000, international law was given precedence over national law for the implementation of human rights.
The goal: To subjugate developing nations under the global capitalist system.
Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary-General) stated:
“Any state that legislates contrary to human rights should be subjected to military action.”
(UNDP, Human Development Report 2000, p. 31)
The implementation of the Western Human Rights Charter in Muslim societies has led to:
Separation of religion from the social and legal system
Weakening of the family structure
Spread of moral corruption and sexual immorality
The Western human rights model is, in reality:
In Islam, human rights are based on divine revelation—the Qur’ān and Sunnah.
✔ True goodness is only that which Allah declares as good.
✔ Human dignity stems from recognizing man as a servant of Allah.
✔ Only such a framework can produce a balanced and peaceful society.
◈ The Concept of Human Rights in Western and Islamic Perspectives
In today’s world, the issue of human rights holds significant importance for Islamic movements. The UN Charter of Human Rights is often viewed as a symbol of goodness and welfare, and some Muslims even claim it is derived from the Farewell Sermon of the Prophet ﷺ. However, when this charter is analyzed within the framework of Western philosophy, its reality becomes far more complex.
◈ Philosophical Foundations of Western Human Rights
The Western concept of human rights is based on capitalist individualism, which does not recognize man as a servant of God, but rather as completely autonomous. In Western thought:
- Freedom means the pursuit of desires and maximum gratification through wealth.
- Topics like life after death or pre-birth accountability are excluded from discussion.
Protagoras, a key Western philosopher, stated:“Man is the measure of all things.”
◈ Humanism: The Core of Western Thought
Humanism lies at the heart of Western ideology, making man the center and axis of the universe.
According to the Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, humanism originated in 14th-century Italy and spread across Europe.
- Humanism rejects divine revelation and opposes God’s guidance, making man the arbiter of all values.
(Reference: Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, Macmillan Company and Free Press, New York)
◈ Man’s Status in Western Philosophy
Prominent Western philosophers have elevated man to a divine position:
- Descartes: “I think, therefore I am” — implying that existence is based not on God’s creation, but on self-awareness.
- Rousseau: Man is inherently good, and whatever he desires is goodness.
- Kant: Every person is self-governing and can define right and wrong through personal reasoning.
- Hegel: The historical development of societies defines morality; Western civilization is the pinnacle of truth.
◈ Human Rights and Individual Liberty
The UN Charter of Human Rights aims to free the individual from all religious and external constraints, including:
✔ Freedom to change one’s religion
✔ Rebellion against moral and social traditions
✔ Rejection of Islamic penal codes and Ḥudūd
Such liberties alienate man from religion and make him independent of divine authority.
◈ Colonial Domination Through Human Rights
According to the UNDP Human Development Report 2000, international law was given precedence over national law for the implementation of human rights.
The goal: To subjugate developing nations under the global capitalist system. Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary-General) stated:“Any state that legislates contrary to human rights should be subjected to military action.”
(UNDP, Human Development Report 2000, p. 31)
◈ Impacts on Muslim Societies
The implementation of the Western Human Rights Charter in Muslim societies has led to:
Separation of religion from the social and legal system Weakening of the family structure Spread of moral corruption and sexual immorality◈ Summary: The Reality of the Western Human Rights Model
The Western human rights model is, in reality:
- A denial of Allah’s lordship
- A tool to reinforce capitalist dominance
- A framework that deifies man and creates a society that is selfish, greedy, and morally numb
◈ Islamic Perspective on Human Rights
In Islam, human rights are based on divine revelation—the Qur’ān and Sunnah.
✔ True goodness is only that which Allah declares as good.
✔ Human dignity stems from recognizing man as a servant of Allah.
✔ Only such a framework can produce a balanced and peaceful society.
