Human Rights and Democracy in Islamic Perspective: Academic Journal of Islamic Studies
Human Rights and Democracy in Islamic Perspective: Academic Journal of Islamic Studies
Human Rights and Democracy in Islamic Perspective: Academic Journal of Islamic Studies
Introduction
Islamic teachings are often seen by many Western circles as
teachings that do not accommodate human rights. There are at least four
sensitive issues in Islamic teachings that are being questioned by human
rights activists; First, regarding the death penalty. As per human rights
activists, the death penalty is a kind of deprivation of the right to life,
which cannot be taken by anybody. Meanwhile, Islam uses the death
penalty for a variety of crimes, including qishash, robbery, bughat acts,
muhson adultery, hirabah, riddah, and others. Even the Qur'an confirms
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1 Qurays Sihab, Tafsir Al Misbah, Edisi 2021, vol. Jilid I (Ciputat: Lentera Hati,
2021), h. 475; This verse underlines the importance of qishash legal regulations in
ensuring human survival. Because he knows that if he murders unlawfully, he would be
threatened with death, thus he will not commit murder.
2 Article 18 of the DUHAM states that: Everyone has the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion; in this case includes the freedom to change religion or
belief, with freedom to express religion or belief by teaching it, practising it, worshipping
it and observing it, either alone or together with other people, in public or privately.
Busman Edyar et.al: Human Rights and Democracy in Islamic Perspective | 239
3 Abdu al-Rahman Al-Jaziri, Fiqh ala Mazahib al-Arba’ah (Beirut: Dar al-Kutub
al-Ilmiyah, 2003); Sayyid Sabiq, Fiqh al-Sunnah, (Kairo : Maktabah Daar al Turast, Tt),
and other fiqh books when discussing the Riddah Chapter.
4 Mohamad Ikrom, “Syariat Islam dalam Perspektif Gender dan HAM,” Jurnal
Indonesia,” (Jurnal Al Bayan : Jurnal Ilmu Al Quran dan Hadis Vol 2, no. No 2 (Juni 2019).
6 Zulfi Imran, “Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM) Internasional dalam Perspektif Islam,”
domains.
Meanwhile, there are various pieces of literature about
democracy, such as Mohammad Ikram in Syariat Islam dalam Perspektif
Gender dan HAM, which states that several Islamic concepts are seen as in
line with democratic principles, such as; al-musawah (egalitarianism), al-
hurriyah (independence), al-ukhuwwah (brotherhood), al-is (justice), and
al-syura (deliberation).7 Then there's Afifa Rangkuti's Democracy in
Demokrasi dalam Pandangan Islam dan Barat, which explores the notion
of democracy in general and the disagreements among scholars about
democracy; some claim that democracy is illegal and must be abandoned.
However, many people support democracy since it is regarded to be in
keeping with Islamic values. 8
There are also Toha Andiko's writings in Syura dan Demokrasi
Barat: Criticism and Solutions Towards Islamic Democracy, which carries
the concept of Islamic democracy with shura as the backbone of the
Islamic political system and with which binding decisions are made or
produced regarding public affairs, This shura is then supported by the
presidential apparatus, the council of Ahl al-Hall wa al-'Aqd, the shura
council, and the judiciary.9 Even Farida Nur 'Afifah in Demokrasi dalam Al-
Qur’an dan Implementasi Demokrasi di Indonesia, claimed that democracy
is the only approach that is closest to Islam, based on Koranic teachings.
This democracy may reflect Divine ideals in all aspects of life, just as the
Prophet did for the people of Medina in the Medina charter. 10
This research expanded on prior studies that explain the
confluence of Islamic teachings with the concept of universal human
rights and democracy, which is presently being adopted by several
countries. Except for those parts that are incompatible, human rights and
Demokrasi Islam,” Jurnal Al-Imarah: Jurnal Pemerintahan dan Politik Islam Vol. 2, No. 2
(2017).
10 Farida Nur ’Afifah, “Demokrasi dalam Al-Qur’an dan Implementasi Demokrasi
di Indonesia,” Jurnal KACA (Karunia Cahaya Allah) : Jurnal Dialogis Ilmu Ushuluddin Vol.
10, No. 1 (Februari 2020).
Busman Edyar et.al: Human Rights and Democracy in Islamic Perspective | 241
11 Eggi Sudjana, HAM dalam Perspektif Islam (Jakarta: Nuansa Madani, 2002),
h.3
12 Sudjana.
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13
See the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam
14 Sabiq, Fiqh al-Sunnah; Al-Jaziri, Fiqh ala Mazahib al-Arba’ah,dan kitab-kitab
fiqh lainnya
15 Qurays Sihab, Tafsir Al Misbah ..., , h 477
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(Depok: PT RajaGrafindo Persada, 2019).; Sayyid Sabiq, Fiqh al-Sunnah; Abdu al-Rahman
Al-Jaziri, Fiqh ala Mazahib al-Arba’ah, and other fiqh books when discussing the chapter
on marriage.
19 Lih. Juga dalam QS. Mumtahanah (60) ayat 10
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Ulama Indonesia Nomor 287 Tahun 2001 tentang Pornografi dan Pornoaksi,” 22
Agustus 2001.
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first, Qur'anic passages such as a). Surat al-Isra '[17]: 32 forbids anybody
from attempting adultery.21 Surah al-Nur [24]: 30 controls men's social
order and attire. b) Surat al-Nur [24:31], which governs women's
association and attire. d) Surat al-Ahzab [33]: 59, in which the Prophet
Muhammad urges women to spread their headscarves all over their
bodies (fashion) so that they can be identified and not disturbed. 22
Second, the hadiths of the Prophet, such as a). Hadith of the
Prophet narrated by Imam Malik and Imam Ahmad which prohibits
people from wearing see-through, erotic, sensual, and similar clothing
and prohibits women from wearing transparent clothes; b). Hadith
narrated by Ahmad prohibits people from behaving in a certain way,
namely a man who looks like a character and visits the mosque, but his
wife is naked; c) Bukhari's hadith on the prohibition of isolation and
Muslim's hadith on the denizens of hell, especially women who waddle
seductively or alluringly, that they would not reach heaven and will not
be able to smell paradise; d). Abu Daud's hadith about the limitations of
women's private parts and the prohibition on women from wearing thin
(transparent) garments.
Third, the rules of ushul fiqh and the rules of fiqh: a. In the Rules of
Usul Fiqh it is stated: "everything that can cause an unlawful act to occur is
unlawful"; b. Fiqh principles, such as 1) avoiding mafsada is prioritized
over bringing benefits: 2) All harm must be eliminated; 3) looking at
something that is born from something that is haram is haram; 4)
Everything that is born from something haraam is illegitimate. 23
As for the issue of freedom of religion, there is also a difference
regarding a Muslim who has apostatized (moved to another religion). If
you look at the Prophet's hadith, which says that anyone who changes
religion should be killed, it means that the apostate was sentenced to death
21
The translation of the verse is: “And do not approach adultery; In fact, adultery is an
abominable act. and a bad way”
22 The translation of the verse is: "O Prophet: Say to your wives, your daughters
and the wives of the believers: "Let them extend their headscarves all over their bodies.
That is so that they are easier to recognize, therefore they are not disturb. and Allah is
Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
23 Majelis Ulama Indonesia Pusat, “Keputusan Fatwa Komisi Fatwa Majelis
Ulama Indonesia Nomor 287 Tahun 2001 tentang Pornografi dan Pornoaksi.”
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Beragama Menurut Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM),” Jurnal El-Mashlahah Vol. 11, no. 1 (Juni
2002), h. 47.
26 Abdillah, Masykuri, Demokrasi di Persimpangan Makna Respon Intelektual
authority.29
Muhammad Dhiya'uddin al-Ra'is similarly responded to the
rejection of democracy. He proposed three principles: 1), that the term
country or people in contemporary democracy refers to what is already
common in the Western world, namely a geographically constrained
nation. As a result, democracy is inextricably linked to nationalism. Not
the case with Islam. People are not confined by area, region, or language,
according to Islam. Faith is the true bond. As a result, it is exceedingly
cosmopolitan and universal; 2) that democracy's aims are worldly or
material goals. As a result, democracy exists solely to benefit the people
(the people). Unlike democracy, Islam has spiritual purposes that are
more vital than addressing worldly or material necessities. 3) According
to democracy, the authority of the people is absolute, but it is limited by
the norms of religious law.30
That's why in Islamic society, there are strong indications that
some of the clergy and political rulers are of the view that in Islam there
is no proper place for the notion of democracy. Democracy (demos-
Kratos) means that power is in the hands of the people. Meanwhile,
according to Islamic belief, only God has power. More than that, some
academics argue that Islam is a comprehensive religion that governs all
elements of life. According to these followers, there are no standards of
life for a Muslim other than those declared by God in the holy book Al-
Quran and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. So complete and
detailed are the teachings of Islam that a Muslim just has to surrender to
following the instructions of the Koran and Hadith in all his pursuits.
Therefore, democracy which argues that the legitimacy of power comes
from the majority of the people cannot be enforced. Precisely history
shows that God's Apostles have always been an enlightened minority
force because most people in general tend to be corrupt and misguided. 31
38-39.
31 Khamami Zada & Arif R Arafah.
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34 Teuku May Rudy, Politik Islam dalam Pemerintahan Demokrasi dalam Abu
Zahra (ed), politik Demi Tuhan: Nasionalisme Religius di Indonesia (Bandung: Pustaka
Hidayah, t.t.).
35 Javid Iqbal, Democracy and The Modern State, dalam John L Esposito (ed)
Vioces of Resurgent Islam (New York: Oxford University Press, 1984), h. 257.
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Hak Asasi Manusia dalam Islam (Jakarta: Pustaka Firdaus dan Yayasan Obor Indonesia,
1987), h. ix-x.
Busman Edyar et.al: Human Rights and Democracy in Islamic Perspective | 253
social background.38
Second, consider the importance of fairness. Along with the idea of
equality (al-musawah), there is also the principle of justice (al-is), which
cannot be separated. In connection with this, Allah highlighted in QS.
4:135: " O you who believe! Be upholders of justice, witnesses for Allah, even
against yourselves or against your parents and relatives. If he (the
defendant) is rich or poor, then Allah knows better his benefits (goodness)”.
So, if you wish to depart from the truth, do not even follow your impulses.
Then in (QS. 5: 8), it says: "O you who believe, always be those who support
(the truth) for Allah, and bear witness fairly. Do not let your animosity for
a people motivate you to behave unjustly. Be just since it is closer to piety."
Justice is the moral underpinning that has aided the advancement
of human civilisation throughout history. In contrast, the absence of
justice is viewed as a threat to the existence of nations and people. Madjid
advocates not only for procedural justice, but also for social justice (al' is
al-iftima'iyah). This is done per the need to pay zakat and sadaqah, which
are affluent people's moral responsibility to share their riches with their
fellow humans. This is consistent with the definition of justice (al-adl),
which is: 1) balance (mauzun), namely all elements in society in a
balanced and appropriate size or relationship to one another, 2) equality
(musawah), namely no differences between fellow human beings, or
equal treatment for all people who have equal rights, and 3) giving rights
to someone (I'tha' kulli dzi haq haqqah).39
Third, freedom. In Islam, discourse on free will (ikhtiyar) is the
opposite of predestination (taqdir), but a discussion of independence or
freedom (hurriyah). Islamic doctrine (in this case Sunni), gives a high
position to humans in cosmology. Humans can do anything, even though
their will must be subject to the power of God. Ikhtiyar produces an
obligation to achieve high meaning and value in life, and of course human
rights to be protected by law.40
1992), h. 56.
39 Madjid, h.57-58
40 Abdurrahman Wahid, Muslim di Tengah Pergumulan (Jakarta: Lepanas, 1983),
h. 40.
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"If your Lord had willed, he would have made mankind one nation, but
always differing in opinion."
If Allah had desired, He could have easily produced all humanity in
one monolithic tribe with one faith. But it is not what God desires. God
truly demonstrates to people that humans are fundamentally different.
This is God's plan. People talk about pluralism and diversity on this
basis.43
In practice, the Prophet SAW did this with a concept called the
Medina Charter, which is an important document made by the Prophet
SAW as an agreement between the Muhajirin, Ansar, and Jewish groups,
as well as other allies. The document contains important principles or
regulations that guarantee their rights and stipulate their obligations as
the basis for living together in social and political life. In practise, the
Prophet SAW accomplished this through the Medina Charter, an essential
document created by the Prophet SAW as an agreement between the
Muhajirin, Ansar, and Jewish tribes, as well as other supporters. The text
provides key ideas or norms that safeguard their rights and specify their
responsibilities as the foundation for coexistence in social and political
life.
Therefore, it is acknowledged that with this arrangement, the
Prophet Muhammad succeeded in building a united society from a variety
of religions: Muslims, Jews, and adherents of Paganism. This is none other
than because the Prophet Muhammad saw when making the charter did
not only pay attention to the benefit of non-Muslim communities. In other
words, the social paradigm used by the Prophet, both in reading reality
and making political decisions, is egalitarian inclusiveness. This is further
supported by the Medina Charter's acknowledgment that the Medina
community's customs (traditions, conventions) are fully acknowledged
as living law. As a result, the Medina Charter's clauses safeguarded the
rights of all socioeconomic groups and legal equality in all public
matters.44
Sururin (ed), Nilai-Nilai Pluralisme dalam Islam : Bingkai Gagasan yang berserak
(Bandung: Nuansa, 2005), h. 16-17
44 Alwi Shihab, Nilai-Nilai pluralism dalam Islam...,h. 19-20
Busman Edyar et.al: Human Rights and Democracy in Islamic Perspective | 257
Conclusion
Human rights advocates are continually pushing for the protection
of human rights in society. The concept of human rights in Islam is defined
in Cairo Declaration of Human Rigth in Islam It comprises assurance on
individual, social, economic, and political rights. These rights include the
freedom to express one's beliefs as long as they do not contradict Shari'ah,
socioeconomic rights, the right to work, the right to possess wealth, the
right to meet one's basic needs, the right to live safely for oneself, religion,
dependents, honour, and others. The fundamental distinction between
the notion of human rights in the current (Western) world and Islam is its
philosophical foundation; if theocentric Islam, God is the primary
reference. While the West is anthropocentric, with the human aspect as
the metric.
In line with democracy, even though it has philosophical
differences, there is a basic intersection between the two. Even when it
comes to the ideals of democracy, Islam is a big supporter. As may be seen
in the ideals of freedom, equality, justice, and pluralism, Islam strongly
supports all of these values. The discrepancies in the foregoing essential
underpinnings have a significant impact on the implementation of
democracy. If Western democracy is typically secular, Islam becomes
theo-democracy. In other words, democratic ideals and values are
permissible in Islam as long as they do not contradict divine instructions.
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