Human Rights in Islam (book)
Encyclopedia
Human Rights in Islam is a 1976 book written by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, the founder of Jamaat-e-Islami
.
In the book, Maududi argues that respect for human rights has always been enshrined in Sharia
law (indeed that the roots of these rights are to be found in Islamic doctrine) and criticises Western notions that there is an inherent contradiction between the two.
Western scholars have, for the most part, rejected Maududi's analysis. Bielefeldt (2000) characterises Maududi's argument as a "superficial and uncritical 'Islamization
' of human rights" that fails to address tensions between human rights and shariah law. In addition, he criticises Maududi for employing a narrow definition of equality that gives no consideration to what Bielefeldt considers "the two main issues over which traditional shariah and modern human rights collide": gender and religion. Carle (2005) terms the book "influential", but echoes Bielefeldt's criticisms.
Jamaat-e-Islami
This article is about Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. For other organizations of similar name see Jamaat-e-Islami The Jamaat-e-Islami , is a Pro-Muslim political party in Pakistan...
.
In the book, Maududi argues that respect for human rights has always been enshrined in Sharia
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
law (indeed that the roots of these rights are to be found in Islamic doctrine) and criticises Western notions that there is an inherent contradiction between the two.
Western scholars have, for the most part, rejected Maududi's analysis. Bielefeldt (2000) characterises Maududi's argument as a "superficial and uncritical 'Islamization
Islamization
Islamization or Islamification has been used to describe the process of a society's conversion to the religion of Islam...
' of human rights" that fails to address tensions between human rights and shariah law. In addition, he criticises Maududi for employing a narrow definition of equality that gives no consideration to what Bielefeldt considers "the two main issues over which traditional shariah and modern human rights collide": gender and religion. Carle (2005) terms the book "influential", but echoes Bielefeldt's criticisms.