CSS 2023 Special Solved Islamiyat Past Papers | Human Dignity in Quran and Sunnah
The following question of Islamiat is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted on the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner inquired about an appropriate answer to understand how respect for human rights and dignity is demonstrated in Islam, specifically through the examples from the Quran and Sunnah, which are important for establishing a just and peaceful society. The first part is an outline, breaking the question into different parts. Moving further, an Introduction is given, followed by a cursory glance at human dignity and respect for human rights and their importance for society, a reflection on the respect for humanity in the Qur’an, a critical analysis, and a conclusion.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-A cursory glance at human dignity and its importance for society
3-The Reflection of the dignity of humans in the Qur’an
- ✓ Justify human dignity by equality of human beings
- ✓ The respect for human life
- ✓ The Rejection of discriminatory behaviour by humans
- ✓ The Rejection of discriminatory behaviour by humans
4-Examples from the Sunnah marking the vitality of human dignity
- ✓ The last sermon of the Prophet (SAW) as the first charter of human dignity
- ✓ The Prophet (SAW) as an ambassador for human dignity and respect
- ✓ The sympathy and respect towards the non-believers
5-Critical Analysis
6- Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Humans are born with the status of special creatures of Allah, the noblest of all creatures, and humans are bestowed with different characteristics and features. So, the differences among human beings are God-given. However, humans themselves have created a perception of good or bad on the basis of their sex, colour, race, religion, and cast, eroding humanity and dividing humans into different classes and groups. This core social problem has been a hot topic of discussion among different scholars and the teachings of different religions. Therefore, Islam significantly abandoned this illicit practice of disrespecting humanity by giving humans significant respect regardless of who they are. Qur’an says:
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَم
(Al Isra:70)
And We have certainly honoured the children of Adam
Allah has given humans the honour and dignity that have been seen in the life of the Prophet(SAW) as he showed respect to his companions and even the non-believers.
A Cursory Glance at Human Dignity and Respect for Human Rights and Its Importance for Society
Human dignity is defined as the respectful treatment of humans regardless of their superiority under customary human labels. It is the universal concept that makes humans equal in rights and to be respected equally. Therefore, all humans are worthy of being respected simply because they are humans. Moreover, humans have the instinct to be free and respectable, and no society can nourish itself without paying special attention to its citizens’ dignity and rights. So, to make a healthy society, Islam gives humans all the rights they are born with and have an appetite for. The Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW are flooded with the teachings of human dignity and rights.
The Reflection of Human Dignity in the Qur’an
- Justify human dignity by the equality of human beings
The Qur’an, the holy book, has given clear indications about human equality. Islam rejects discrimination among humans on the basis of race, colour, or region. Neither race nor religion can be used to validate disrespect for human dignity or rights. As mentioned in the Qur’an :
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ
(Surah Hujarat:13)
“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Surely, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.”
In this Ayah, after mentioning mankind, Allah has cleared the misconception of discrimination by saying that all humans are of the same origin and are equal in dignity and rights.
- The respect for human life
Islam also gives equal rights of living to all humans and contradicts the quarrels, particularly those in which humans suffer or face life losses. Even though Islam has declared the killing of a single human to be as if the killing of the whole of humanity. As Allah said in the Qur’an:
أَنَّهُۥ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًۢا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًۭ
( Al Maidah:32)
Indeed, whoever kills a soul for anything other than manslaughter or corruption on earth, it is as if he had killed all of mankind.
Thus, the Qur’an has given respect to humanity by obliging them not to kill anyone other than those who are committing misconduct or doing any corruption on earth.
- The Rejection of discriminatory behaviour by humans
The indiscriminative behaviour of Islam towards humanity has given rise to an unprecedented respect for the rights of humans. Justice is the basic right of humans that makes others accountable upon preaching human rights and dignity, and Islam has set a glorious example of giving the fundamental right of justice to all humans. Even Allah has obliged Muslims to act justly with foes, as the Qur’an says:
شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ ٱعْدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ
The hatred of a people because you do not act justly. Act justly; that is nearer to righteousness. So, the Qur’an is the only book on earth that goes beyond discrimination in giving respect to humanity and human dignity.
Examples from the Sunnah Marking the Vitality of Human Dignity
- The last sermon of the Prophet (SAW) as the first charter of human dignity
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) left many prominent examples of devotion and care for humanity. The last sermon of the Prophet (SAW) is the essence of Islam, and he( SAW) highlighted the core issues of human rights and advised Muslims to follow the righteous path by giving others equal rights and respect without considering their colour or creed. So, the Prophet( SAW) said in his last sermon.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve; an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also, a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action.
Thus, the Prophet ( SAW) denied all the man-made discriminations of colour and creed, providing human equality a new significance.
- The Prophet (SAW) as an ambassador for human dignity and respect
The Prophet( SAW) advocated for the rights and dignity of humans from his teachings as well as from his practical life. He was the first to define the rights of women, slaves, minorities, and the subjugated humans of all time. Hurairah reported that the Prophet said:
“One who makes efforts (to help) the widow or a poor person is like a mujahid (warrior) in the path of Allah, or like one who stands up for prayers in the night and fasts in the day“.
(Bukhari)
The importance of human rights is owed to the Prophet (SAW), who protected the rights of humans from abrogation through his teachings and practical life as a human rights ambassador.
- The sympathy and respect towards the non-believers
The Prophet (SAW) set the glorious example of being merciful to all humans through his prestigious practices. He gave respect to humans or any soul present on earth, even the non-believers, who had always been against his preaching. Qays ibn Saad reported,
A funeral passed by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and he stood up. It was said to him, “It is a Jew.” The Prophet said, “Was he not a soul?”
( Bukhari)
Therefore, non-believers, after observing his empathy for his foes, started accepting Islam, and he, within a very short time, became successful in arranging a big Muslim community. This generous and merciful attitude of the Prophet (SAW) does not match on earth, but it is a beautiful message for the rest of the Muslim Ummah to respect humanity.
Critical Analysis
Critically, the primary sources of Islamic doctrine are the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), which provide humans with nobility and respect for their rights that no other religion has provided yet. So, there are several examples in the Qur’an and Sunnah that clearly advocate for human dignity and rights. Islam possesses a special status for having the first human rights charter in the form of the farewell sermon of the Prophet (SAW).
Conclusion
Conclusively, the divine message of the Qur’an and the practical examples of the Sunnah demonstrate human dignity and respect of rights. The aforementioned analysis of the ayahs and Hadiths has clearly manifested the Islamic thoughts about the human rights and values. Therefore, Islamic teachings have set the greatness and promises of Jannah to motivate other human beings to respect all humanity.
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