The notion of human rights in Islam and the West : conflict or congruence?

Abstract

The actions of Muslims are seldom Islamic just as the actions of Jews and Christians are seldom consistent with Jewish and Christian doctrines. Yet Islam continues to exercise considerable influence upon the political development of contemporary Islamic states. Islam, the third largest religion of the world, is not just about following mere rites and rituals. Islamic teaching also prescribes guidelines for followers to conduct their social, economic and political behavior in managing various aspects of everyday life as a human being. However, ‘political Islam’ including Islamic law, i.e. Shari ’a law, and human rights has been largely contested and controversial compared to other features of the youngest Abrahamic faith since its birth in the early seventh century in the Arabian Peninsula. More specifically, human rights in Islam have been increasingly an important topic for debate between the scholars and the human rights practitioners from both the West and the Islamic community.