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The Islamic and Western approaches to human rights reflect differing foundations, influenced by cultural, religious, and philosophical roots. Here are some key distinctions:

  1. Foundational Basis:
    • Islamic Approach: Rooted in divine revelation, particularly the Quran and Hadith, with rights seen as God-given. This foundation often emphasizes duties and obligations as much as rights, highlighting a balanced approach to individual and societal welfare.
    • Western Approach: Predominantly based on secular humanism and Enlightenment values, focusing on individual autonomy and freedom. Rights are often viewed as inherent to human beings by virtue of natural law or human consensus, without direct reference to religious frameworks.
  2. Scope and Nature of Rights:
    • Islamic Approach: Rights come with corresponding responsibilities, reflecting the idea that individual rights should harmonize with community welfare. This balance often emphasizes family and societal obligations.
    • Western Approach: Generally prioritizes individual rights and freedoms as nearly absolute, with limitations primarily where they infringe upon others’ rights. Individual autonomy and self-expression are highly valued.
  3. Source of Authority:
    • Islamic Approach: Human rights principles are guided by Sharia, with scholars interpreting religious texts to adapt to changing contexts. Any rights frameworks must align with these religious principles.
    • Western Approach: Authority tends to derive from secular institutions, including the judiciary and governmental bodies, which legislate and enforce human rights based on democratic principles and human rights declarations.
  4. Gender and Social Roles:
    • Islamic Approach: Gender roles often have religiously defined distinctions, where equality is understood as complementary rather than identical roles for men and women. Some rights are tailored accordingly, though interpretations vary across Islamic schools of thought.
    • Western Approach: Gender equality generally stresses identical rights and roles for men and women, with significant emphasis on gender-neutral legal frameworks and the importance of individual choice in defining roles.
  5. Religious Freedom:
    • Islamic Approach: Islam acknowledges religious diversity but typically prioritizes the values and laws of the Muslim majority in governance. Non-Muslims are often granted rights within certain frameworks, though full religious freedom may vary by country.
    • Western Approach: Often champions freedom of religion as a fundamental right, with secular states protecting religious expression for all equally under the law.

These distinctions, however, are not always absolute; in practice, there are countries and scholars within both spheres advocating for more integrative models that consider both religious and secular perspectives on human rights.

Rafia M Answered question October 31, 2024
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