NOTESONRESPECTFORHUMANDIGNITYINISLAM.docx
NOTES ON RESPECT FOR THE WORTH AND DIGNITY OF EVERY PERSON
by Imam Mustapha Elturk, President, Islamic Organization of North America, IONA
The objectives of sharia (Islamic law) highlight the preservation of man’s honor, worth and dignity which translates to the preservation of life, lineage, intellect, property and religion.
“The most explicit affirmation of human dignity (karamah) in Islam is found in the Quranic verse where God Almighty declares: “We have bestowed dignity on the children of Adam… and conferred upon them special favors above the greater part of Our creation.” (17:70).
The Quran commentator, Shihab al-Din al-Alusi (d.1854) thus wrote that, “everyone and all members of the human race, including the pious and the sinner, are endowed with dignity, nobility and honor, which cannot be made exclusive to any particular group or class of people”.
The Qur’an in chapter 49 entitled, al-Hujurat (the Dwellings) emphatically states that all human beings are created equal regardless of their skin color, race, language, ethnic background, etc. and that humanity constitute one brotherhood. The verse deals with equality and fraternity.
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female (Adam and Eve, equality), and made you into nations and tribes (fraternity), that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). (49:13)
The Prophet in his farewell sermon said, “O mankind, your Lord is One and your father is one. You all descended from Adam, and Adam was created from dust. The most honored among you in the sight of God is the most upright. No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, and no non-Arab is superior over an Arab, no white is superior over black nor a black is superior to a white except by Taqwa (piety).” (source: At-Tirmidhi)
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in his farewell pilgrimage addressing a large congregation said, “Verily, your blood, property and honor are sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours (i.e., the day of slaughtering of the animals of sacrifice), in this month of yours (the holy month of Dhul-Hijjah-month of pilgrimage) and in this city of yours (the holy city of Mecca)." (source: Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "All people are equal as the teeth of a comb." Source: At-Tabarani
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