EXPERIENCING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

However, it would be better to present some references from the Quran, Hadith and Islamic history. This may show us a clearer picture of human rights in the Islamic Shariah, both in theory and in practice. Freedom of religion: Religious freedom is the basic human right whose violation has caused conflicts, wars and bloodshed in both ancient and modern societies. The Quran therefore has declared for the first time in human history, that ‘there shall be no coercion in matters of religion.’ (THE QURAN 2: 256). In view of this prohibition of coercion, all Islamic jurists without any exception hold that forcible conversion is under all circumstances null and void. Any attempt to coerce a non-believer to accept Islam is a grievous sin. According to this principle of ‘non-coercion’, it is not permissible to exploit or manipulate personal weaknesses or calamities (e.g. poverty, sickness, famine, etc.) for religious conversion. That is why old and downtrodden non-Muslims were exempted from taxes and given all monetary support by the Islamic state without ever being asked to embrace Islam just for the advantages it would give them. Protection of a single human life is equivalent to protection of the whole of mankind. Once, a Jewish widow came to the Caliph Umar asking for some financial aid. Umar tried to persuade her to accept Islam. He promised to take care of all her needs if she embraced Islam. But the lady refused. Umar then gave her more than she had asked for. When she departed, Umar raised his hands towards heaven and said: O God, bear witness that I have not exercised any coercion on this lady. Tarikh Umar ibn Khattab, Ibn al-Jawzi Justice and equality before the Law: According to the Quran and Hadith, the establishment of justice is one of the most essential goals in the sending of the prophets and in revealing the divine scriptures. (THE QURAN, 57: 25) The just are loved by God, (THE QURAN, 60: 8); while the unjust will face the fire of Hell. (THE QURAN, 72: 15)