EVA MILLER, how become a
MUSLIM.
Eva Miller
Georgetown, S.Africa
Dear all, greetings of Islam, Salam and Peace.
Last year in our school library I got hold of something that has changed my
life. It was “Islam as I understand” by Shabbir Ahmed, M.D., 6th edition of
2006, printed in USA.
I read the following on page 41 onwards:
5. Human Rights: Here I suggest that the reader examine three most celebrated
documents on human rights:
- The British Magna Carta
- The American Constitution
- The United Nations Charter of Human Rights.
[I took time to check on all three documents carefully before I went on.]
The intelligently written human documents seem to fade away and pale in
comparison to just one sermon of Muhammad (S)! Please see Robert Briffault’s
quote at the beginning of this chapter.
I read Robert Briffault again:
The ideas that inspired the French Revolution and the Declaration of Rights that
guided the framing of the American Constitution and inflamed the struggle for
independence in the Latin American countries [and elsewhere] were not inventions
of the West. They find their ultimate inspiration and source in the Holy Koran.
- Robert Briffault
Haven’t human rights become a vital issue at the international scene? True, the
world including Muslims have to go a long way. But, Islam is on the march. The
Quran had declared in the 7th century, “Indeed, We have conferred dignity on all
children of Adam (as their birth-right).” (17:70)
The (emancipated) black slave of Ethiopia, Bilal, the poor laborer of Rome,
Suhaib, and the lonely wanderer of Persia, Salman, were equal to, and had the
same rights as, the most powerful man of the time. Umar Farooq the Great, the
second Caliph of Islam, used to address Bilal, “O My master!” ————————.
A brief resume of human rights given in the Quran will now be given. These
points also reflect the Moral Code of Islam.
a. Equal human dignity by birth. (17:70, 95:4)
b. Gender equity. (4:32, 33:35)
c. Superiority by character only. (49:13, 46:19)
d. Rule of law, not of individuals. (3:79)
e. Full compensation of work. (53:39, 53:41, 39:70, 37:39)
f. Provision of basic needs. (20:118-119)
g. Security of faith, life, mind, honor, and property. (6:109, 6:152, 2:269,
17:36, 24:2, 22:40, 6:152, 5:90, 2:195, 5:32, 17:32, 17:35, 17:29, 83:1)
h. Choice of spouse. (4:3, 4:19)
i. Freedom of religion. (22:40, 6:109, 2:256)
j. Freedom of expression. (2:42, 3:71)
k. Redress of grievances. (4:148)
l. Right to privacy. (33:53, 24:27)
m. Care of the handicapped. (4:36, 70:24)
n. Presumption of innocence. (49:6)
o. Sanctity of name and lineage. (49:11, 33:4)
p. Right to residence. (4:100, 2:85, 6:41)
q. Aesthetic choice. (18:31, 76:13-15)
r. Protection of chastity. (17:32, 24:2)
s. Race, color, gender, lineage, profession, wealth - nothing! - nothing but
good conduct, is the criterion of honor. (49:13)
t. Degrees of people according to their deeds. (2:212, 3:163, 6:132)
I recapture Nelson Mandela whispering into my ears, heart and mind from his
prison cells where he was confined for decades. Believe me he said almost all of
the above in his own way at various times.
But most astonishingly, a desert man had said all this and much more centuries
ago and gave reality to his dreams without any kind of international help in
those days! Doesn’t that greatest man Muhammad deserve the Noblest of all
accolades? I am sure he gets them from our dear God and from billions of
grateful people and will continue to get them forever. We rightfully honor
Mandela but can we gauge the greatness of Muhammad? I cannot.
It is noteworthy that the United Nations and the UNESCO Commission subject human
rights to certain conditions and limitations. They further differentiate between
a person owning those rights and application of those rights according to the
local law. Human rights outlined in the Quran are not subject to the whims of
nations or individuals.
45 Days: I remained glued to ourbecaon.com many hours a day as did my children.
This seems to be the most appropriate time to thank God, thank you and say from
the deepest core of our hearts,
“THERE IS NO GOD BUT THE ONE TRUE GOD AND MUHAMMAD IS HIS MESSENGER.”