Human Rights Day celebrated on the 21st March each year is a grim reminder of the horrific killing of 69 people and injury to 180, sixty five years ago. All because of the struggle against an inhumane and unjust apartheid system whose laws discriminated against those of other races who possessed a different skin colour.
When injustice prevails, the violation of Human rights becomes a norm and one of the easiest things to perpetrate. The conflicts that are currently raging in many parts of the world and destroying countless lives are a direct result of injustice which leads to the most heinous and abominable crimes.
The father of our nation, President Nelson Mandela stated, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
The first truly universal charter of Human Rights was declared and executed over 1400 years ago by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is a Divine code rooted in the Qur’aanic principle that, “Allah commands justice, doing good, and generosity towards relatives and He forbids what is shameful, blameworthy, and oppressive. He teaches you, so that you may take heed. (Chapter 16 – Verse 90 )
This Islamic model of human rights in particular is striking in its rigor, its vision and its relevance to modern times and is summarised below:
- Freedom to all; irrespective of caste and colour.
- Sanctity of life, wealth and property
- Equality of all races
- Justice in the eyes of Almighty Allah and the law
- Women´s rights and obligations. They were to be treated as partners and not as subjects.
- No exploitation or monopoly. The rich are not to be richer while the poor poorer.
- Rights of others are to be preserved and to be fulfilled
People are to take this declaration seriously. They are to preach it to others and practice it in their life and behaviour.
“And your body has a right over you…”
The first and foremost right of the body is only consuming that which is acceptable to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) through the guiding principles of Halaal and Haraam. Becoming neglectful of a strictly Halaal diet is violating a fundamental right of our bodies and therefore becomes an act of injustice.
This Human Right’s Day lets begin with being just to ourselves and our bodies by eating only that which is considered Halaal and Tayyib, and the fulfilment of every other right obligated upon us as Muslims will automatically become easier to discharge.
The past is a guidepost, not a hitching post.
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WISHING ONE AND ALL A BLESSED AND JOYOUS EID MUBARAK.
Our offices will remain closed on the day of Eid, either Monday, 31st March or Tuesday, 1st April (depending on moonsighting).
