Islam has laid down some universal fundamental
rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be observed and respect under all
circumstances. To achieve these rights Islam provides not only legal safeguards
but also a very effective moral system. Thus whatever leads to the welfare of
the individual or the society is morally good in Islam and whatever is
injurious is morally bad. Islam attaches so much importance to the love of God
and love of man that it warns against too much of formalism. We read in the
Quran:
“It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or
West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the
Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of
love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for
those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and
practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be
firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all
periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing”.
(2:177)