A Comparative Study of Freedom from the Perspective of the Holy Quran and International Human Rights Documents

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student in Public International Law, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Imam Baqir University, Tehran, Iran

10.22081/psq.2024.66975.2814

Abstract

The right to freedom in Islamic teachings and international human rights documents is considered one of the fundamental rights of individuals and essential to their social existence. This article presents a comparative analysis of the concept of freedom in international human rights documents and examines its alignment with Islamic discourse to address some of the unwarranted criticisms from Western societies. It seeks to highlight the limitations of human rights documents, which are sometimes used as tools to subjugate humanity. Using an analytical-descriptive and comparative approach, the article explores the broader boundaries of freedom in the Holy Quran and international human rights documents, examining the scope of freedom in each. International human rights documents, most notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), which emerged largely after World War II, center on the ideal of human freedom.  The main point of contention regarding freedom in the Holy Quran and prominent human rights documents lies in the boundaries of this freedom. In Islam, absolute freedom holds no real place or meaning; it is viewed as a form of servitude. Neither individuals nor governments can remain indifferent to beliefs and ideologies, as a misguided ideology could lead a society into corruption and ruin. Thus, the Quran does not condone disregard for religion. Regarding the relationship between freedom’s elements, some believe in divergence and conflict, while others see convergence. However, significant parallels exist between many provisions of human rights documents and Quranic verses on freedom. For example, freedom is seen as a fundamental right, emphasizing equality before the law and intrinsic human dignity. The Holy Quran contains numerous elements reflected in the Declaration of Human Rights and serves as the foremost religious document affirming the various freedoms granted to humanity, even though its foundations and principles may not fully align with those documents.

Keywords

References

* Holy Quran
** Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Abdollahi, J. (2007). A comparative study of the right to freedom of expression from the perspective of Islam and international human rights documents. Tehran: Ehsan. [In Persian]
Al-Ba’albaki, M. (1996). Al-mu’rid al-wasit (1st ed.). Beirut: Dar al-‘Ilm lil-Malyun. [In Arabic]
Aqaee, B. (1997). Dictionary of human rights. n.p. [In Persian]
Asadi, H. (1996). Family and its rights. Mashhad: Astan Qods Razavi. [In Persian]
Bakhshi, A. (1995). Dictionary of political science. Tehran: Elm-e Ruz. [In Persian]
Bostani, B. (1980). Encyclopedia. Beirut: Dar al-Ma’rifah. [In Arabic]
Dashti, M. T. (2011). Human rights in the balance. Tehran: Kanun-e Andishe-ye Javan. [In Persian]
Dehkhoda, A. A. (1998). Dehkhoda dictionary (Vol. 1). Tehran: University of Tehran. [In Persian]
Durant, W. (1999). The story of civilization (Vol. 13, A. Aram, Trans.). Tehran: Iqbal. [In Persian]
Farahidi, A. (n.d.). Al-‘ayn (Vol. 3). Beirut: Dar al-Ihya’ al-Turath al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Ha’eri, A. (1995). Political and social freedoms from the perspective of thinkers: A look at Persian writings in the past two centuries. Mashhad: Jihad Daneshgahi. [In Persian]
Hakki, F. (2010). The discourse of human rights for all. Tehran: Institute for Studies and Research on the Law of Civil Society. [In Persian]
Haqiqat, S. S. (1998). The place of parties in Islamic political thought. Political Science, 3, 150-163. [In Persian]
Ibn Manzur, M. (1993). Lisan al-Arab (3rd ed., Vol. 1). Beirut: Dar al-Sadr. [In Arabic]
Ishaqi, S. H. (2005). Freedom in Islam and the West (1st ed.). Tehran: Center for Research of Radio and Television.  [In Persian]
Karimi Nia, M. M. (n.d.). Human rights and the constitution of the Islamic Republic. n.p. [In Persian]
Katozian, N., et al. (2003). Freedom of thought and expression. Tehran: Faculty of Law. [In Persian]
Kulievr, S. (2000). Freedom, right, and security (A. A. Aqaee, Trans.). Studies in Strategy, 4, 178-191. [In Persian]
Makarem Shirazi, N. (n.d.). The message of the Imam: A new and comprehensive commentary on Nahj al-balaghah (Vol. 3). Qom: Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib. [In Persian]
Mehrpur, H. (1998). The international system of human rights. Tehran: Ettela’at. [In Persian]
Mesbahe Yazdi, M. T. (1997). Religious pluralism. critical book, 4, 323-343. [In Persian]
Mir Mousavi, S. A., & Haqiqat, S. S. (2009). Foundations of human rights from the perspective of Islam and other schools. Tehran: Organization for the Publication of Culture and Islamic Thought. [In Persian]
Mirahmadi, M. (n.d.). Political freedom in the Quran, Collection of articles from the fourth strategic thought conference. [In Persian]
Mo’in, M. (1998). Mo’in Persian dictionary (Vol. 1). Tehran: Amir Kabir. [In Persian]
Mohammadi Rey Shahri, M. (2004). Mizan al-hikmah (Vol. 21). Qom: Dar al-Hadith. [In Arabic]
Moqadaam, A. (1965). Sovereignty and global coexistence of nations (Vol. 2). Tabriz: Ibn Sina. [In Persian]
Motahhari, M. (1982). Concerning the Islamic Revolution. Tehran: Sadra. [In Persian]
Mousavi Ardabili, S. A. (1999). Apostasy, a new look: A picture of the discussions of Ayatollah Mousavi Ardabili. Islamic Government, 13, 9-26. [In Persian]
Mousavian, S. A. (2010). Religion and freedom: A discussion on freedom of belief, initial jihad, and apostasy (1st ed.). Tehran: Sahifeh-ye kherad. [In Persian]
Qari Seyed Fatemi, S. M. (2009). Human rights in the contemporary world: An introduction to theoretical issues: Concepts, foundations, scope, and sources. Tehran: Institute for Studies and Research on the Law of Civil Society. [In Persian]
Qazi Shari’at Panahi, S. A. (1994). Essentials of constitutional law. Tehran: Mizan. [In Persian]
Quentin, A. (1992). Political philosophy (M. Asadim Trans.). Tehran: Hoda International Publications. [In Persian]
Sadaqat, Q. A. (2008). Party formation and its foundations in political jurisprudence. Ma’refat, 17(2), 1-26. [In Persian]
Sayyid Qutb, A. H. (1991). Ma’alim fi al-tarikh . Beirut: Dar al-Shuruq. [In Arabic]
Shiravani, A. (2012). Sharh-e Lumeh (Vol. 5, M. Abbasi, Trans.). Tabriz: Furozsh. [In Arabic]
Soroush, A. (1996). Religion and freedom. Kian, 33. [In Persian]
Tabatabaei Mo’tamani, M. (2003). Public freedoms and human rights. Tehran: University of Tehran. [In Persian]
Tabatabei, S. M. H. (1996). Tafsir al-Mizan (Vol. 2). Qom: Islamic Publications Office, Seminary of Qom. [In Arabic]
Tamushat, K. (n.d.). Human rights (H. Sharif Tarazkoohi, Trans.). n.p. [In Persian]
Tinder, G. (2015). Political thought. Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publications Company. [In Persian]
Velayi, A. (n.d.). Apostasy in Islam. n.p. [In Persian]
Yaqub, A. H. (2008). Hoquq al-insan ‘inda ahl al-bayt al-nubuwah wa al-fikr al-mu’aser. Qom: Dar al-Hoda. [In Arabic]

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics