Dignity of men and women in Islam

Introduction
“And
We have certainly honoured the children of
Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for
them of the good things and preferred them over much of what
We have created, with [definite] preference.” (Surah Al-Isra,
:70)

• The concept of human dignity has long been deemed in Islam as the right
of every person, regardless of who they are. By simply ‘being’, a person
deserves to be respected, dignified, and to be given certain rights.
• However, a lack of awareness and emphasis on this understanding has
led to misperceptions in which people deem themselves better than
others, be it because of their sex, race, religion, wealth, and other
irrelevant factors.
• We need to focus on what makes us the same, not what makes us
different. We're all human, and that's what matters most.
Meaning of dignity
• Dignity is derived from Latin word dignitas, that means honor, authority, and reputation.
• Definition of dignity
• The concept of human dignity is universal as it is emphasized in various religions throughout
history, such as Christianity and Buddhism.
• Dignity refers to the state of being worthy of respect,honour, and esteem. It is a quality that every
individual possess, which reflects their inherent value as a human being.
• Dignity in Islam
• In Islam dignity( known as Karamah or IZZAH in Arabic) is a fundamental concept deeply rooted in the
belief that every human being is created by Allah and therefore possesses inherent worth and honor.
Example : The concept of human dignity in Islam is seen in a treaty that the Prophet participated
before his prophethood, which is the Hilf-Al-Fuhdul¸ which translates to the ‘League of the
Virtuous’.
Human dignity in un charter
• The inherent dignity of man is considered to be the foundation of human rights in
the inter bills of human rights.
• 2) UN Charter (1945) about Human Dignity states:
• "We the peoples of the United Nations determined... to reaffirm faith in
fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the
equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small..
• "This statement underlines the commitment of UN member states to uphold and
protect human dignity as a cornerstone of international peace and security.
• 3) Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) about Human Dignity
• Preamble: The Preamble of the UDHR highlights the inherent dignity of all
members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in
the world.
• Article 1: The first article of the UDHR explicitly mentions human dignity
• "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed
with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of
brotherhood."
The Islamic Declaration of Human Rights

The Islamic Declaration of Human Rights is a document that

outlines the human rights principles based on Islamic teachings. Background :The Islamic Declaration of Human Rights was first
It was developed as an Islamic response to the Universal introduced by the Islamic Council of Europe in 1981 and was
Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and reflects the followed by the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam,
perspectives and values rooted in the Quran and Sunnah . which was adopted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) in 1990.
In Islam ,human dignity is considered a fundamental
right and is characterized by the following :
• Honours
• In Islam, men and women are granted a unique status and a
variety of hounours by Allah.
• 1) Creation in best form
• Creation in the Best Form Allah created human beings in the best
form and with the best stature, giving them an honored status
among His creations. "We have certainly created man in the best
of stature." (Surah At-Tin:4)
2) Bestowed with Knowledge
• Allah honored human beings by granting them knowledge, which
distinguishes them from other creatures. The story of Adam (the first human)
being taught the names of all things is a prime example.
• "And He taught Adam the names-all of them”
(Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:31 )
• 3) Khilafah (Stewardship) on Earth
• Allah appointed human beings as His vicegerents (Khalifah) on Earth,
entrusting them with the responsibility to manage and take care of the world.
• "And [mention, O Muhammad), when your Lord said to the angels,
'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority (Khalifah)"

(Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:30)

4) Free Will and Moral Responsibility
• Human beings are granted free will and the ability to choose between right
and wrong, which makes them morally responsible for their actions.
• Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful."
(Quran, Surah Al-Insan 76:3)
• 5) Spiritual Honor and Dignity
• Allah dignified human beings by granting them a special spiritual status,
making them superior to many of His creations.
• "And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them
on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things"
(Surah Bani Isra'il), 17:70)
• 6) Guidance Through Revelation Allah has provided guidance to human
beings through revelations (books) and prophets, ensuring that they have the
knowledge needed to fulfill their purpose.
• Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light...“
(Quran, Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:44)
• 7) Spirit of Allah
• Allah breathed into him something of His Spirit, which is understood as a divine command that gives life and
consciousness.
• "Then He proportioned him and breathed into him of His Spirit and made for you hearing and vision and hearts; little
are you grateful.“
( Surah As-Sajdah, 32:98)
• 8) Mastery
• Emphasizes the blessings and favors Allah has granted humanity, including the subjugation of the natural world for
human benefit. It points out that some people, despite all these signs and favors, still argue about the existence or
nature of Allah without knowledge, guidance, or a divine revelation.
• "Do you not see that Allah has made subject to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and
amply bestowed upon you His favors,
(Surah Luqman, verse 20 (Quran 31:20).
Currently human dignity is being violated in
many countries of the world
• :1. Palestine: Occupation, displacement, and human rights abuses by Israeli
forces, including restrictions on movement, settlement expansion, and
excessive use of force.
• 2. North Korea: Severe political repression, forced labor camps, torture, and
human rights abuses against political prisoners, dissidents, and ordinary
citizens.
• 3. Syria: Ongoing civil war, displacement, and humanitarian crises, with
widespread human rights abuses, including torture, forced disappearances,
and chemical attacks.
• 4. Myanmar (Burma): Rohingya refugee crisis, ethnic cleansing, and human
rights abuses against minority groups, including forced displacement, rape,
and extrajudicial killings.
• 5. Yemen: Humanitarian crisis, displacement, and human rights abuses due
to ongoing conflict, including airstrikes, torture, and restrictions on aid
delivery, exacerbating poverty, hunger, and disease.
An Antidote for
Certain Poisons
Islam rejects any discrimination among human beings based on
religion, race, language and nationality. Differences in either race
or religion can never be used to validate the mistreatment of
others. This mistaken understanding is against the teachings of
Islam and contradicts what is practised by Prophet Muhammad
s.a.w.

Often overlooked is the verse that is stated in the Quran which

reveals the reason as to why humanity is created into ‘nations and
tribes’, and that is so we may create bonds with each other.
Allah s.w.t mentioned,
َ ‫اس ِإنَّا َخ لَقْ نَا كُم ِ ِّمن ذَ َك ٍر َوأُنث َ ٰى َو َج َع ْلنَا ُك ْم شُ ُعوبًا َوق َ َبائِ َل ِلت َ َع‬
‫ارفُوا‬ ُ َّ‫َيا أَيُّ َها الن‬
"O humankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a
female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know
each other (not that you may despise each other).”
(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13)
• As mentioned in the Quran,
َ َّ ‫ار ُك ْم أَن تَبَ ُّرو هُ ْم َوتُقْ ِسطُوا ِإلَ ْي ِه ْم ۚ ِإ َّن‬
ُّ ‫َللا يُ ِح‬
‫ب‬ ِ ‫َللا َع ِن الَّ ِذينَ لَ ْم يُقَاتِلُوكُ ْم فِي ال ِ ِّد‬
ِ َ‫ين َولَ ْم ي ُ ْ ْخ ِر ُجو ُكم ِ ِّمن ِدي‬ ُ َّ ‫• ََّل يَ ْن َهاكُ ُم‬
َ ‫ال ُمقْ ِس ِط‬
‫ين‬
• "Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion
and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and
acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly."
(Surah Al-Mumtahanah, 60:8)

• To make the world a better place, everyone first has to start with themselves, by
imbuing themselves with the correct belief and understanding, before showing it
through their words and actions. It is imperative that Muslims treat others with
respect and fairness, following the teachings of their religion and the example set
by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
Conclusion