Towards an Islamic Tradition of Human Rights

Abstract

The notion of human rights represents a set of abstract values whose concretization is considered essential for ensuring a life of dignity. The process through which the abstract rights are given a concrete expression is far from being simple or straight forward. At issue is the impact of the historical and moral specificities of a particular culture on the way through which human rights are perceived and interpreted. This article considers the possibility of developing a tradition of human rights rooted in an Islamic worldview, and explores the impact of Islamic beliefs and values on the interpretation and implementation of human rights.