Impact Factor (JCC): 1.1947- This article can be downloaded from www.bestjournals.in
JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN ISLAM
HASSAN KINYUA OMARI
Ph.D., Religious Studies, M. A, Religious Studies, UoN PGD, Islamic Banking and Insurance-IIBI-UK, B. A
Arabic Language and Religious Studies, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
This paper aim at exploring Religion, Justice and Human rights in Islamic perspective. It will evaluate some
challenges facing religion especially Islam in advocating for justice and human rights. The paper also establish the impact
of religion in advocating for justice and human rights in society. In some instances it explore how Islamic teachings can be
implemented to promote Justice and Human rights. The paper will help both the religious and political leaders to promote
Justice and Human rights.
Islam has Five Pillars of religion. These pillars rotate around faith and practice. Analyzing the pillars, one realize
that Justice and human rights are highly emphasized in Islam. Muslims believe that there can be no real justice except as an
aspect of submission to Allah who is the source of justice. Although Allah is beyond comprehension or analysis, the Holy
Qur’an teach about His attributes through what are sometimes called “the 99 attributes of Allah” and one of these is al-
ªAdl, “the Just”. Another of these names is al-Muqsit, “the Dispenser of Justice” or “He who gives to each thing its due”.
the fact remains that no justice can be attained without truth. That is why Qur’an emphasize that truth must always be
adhered to in all undertakings. The Prophet PBUH also compelled Muslims to always speak the truth even when in danger.
This will make justice a reality hence attainment of Human rights
The paper will focus on justice in Islam. It is divided into the following subsections; the introduction ; pillars of
Islam and justice; Qur’an on truth and justice; reality of Islam and conclusion.
KEYWORDS: Challenges Facing Religion Especially Islam in Advocating for Justice and Human Rights
INTRODUCTION
The world is getting smaller day after the other. The migration of peoples, new methods of communication, and
the vast expanse of knowledge about others is making the world seem like a village. This lead to interaction of people of all
sorts of cultures, tribes, religions, races to a point that one being injustice is very easy either intentionally or
unintentionally. It can be intentional if one does that for the main purpose of surprising and oppressing the other. It can be
unintentional if one does it out of ignorance of the rights of the other group. Example is where some cultures like the
Borana in Kenya and also the Pokomos among others take eloping as a pride and way of culture, where if one do it, he gets
the girl with pride and he is taken a hero. But if that is done to Islamic oriented cultures then it is haram and unacceptable.
It can of course lead to death. Therefore there is need to study cultures and religions to be on safer side.
Pillars of Islam and Justice
Islam has five pillars. The first one is shahada,followed by swalaat,then zakat the fourth is swawm and last is Hajj.
Shahada being the first pillar is the key to islam.in it one bear witness that none is worth of worship but Allah and
BEST: International Journal of Humanities, Arts,
Medicine and Sciences (BEST: IJHAMS)
ISSN (P): 2348-0521, ISSN (E): 2454-4728
Vol. 4, Issue 2, Feb 2016, 285- 292
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