12 Neglected Rights of Minorities in Islam

We may live in a modern world, but in some aspects we seemed to be left behind. It is proved by how we don’t know well how to treat the minorities. Just because we win by number, we discriminate them without fully knowing the rights of minorities in Islam. It is not right to treat others unequally because they are only a little part of the society.

As Islam is a humane religion, we must know how should we treat the minorities. Here are some rights of minorities in Islam that us Muslims should never neglected.

1. Equality Rights

Discrimination and equality is a concept that created by human. We were all born equally, with the same rights to live and other thing. Allah SWT taught us to respect other believer and to give them their rights to worship their God. Muslims should not treat others differently. Also read Rights of Inheritance in Islam for Women

2. Freedom to Choose the Religion

As we know Islam is the rightest religion among all, minorities believer also think of their religion as we do. However, we have give them their freedom to choose their religion and not to intimidate them due to their choice.

“There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejects false deities and believes in Allah has grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.” (2:256)

3. To be Protected

In a country, there are always minorities by religion or by tribe. No matter how small their numbers are, they have the same rights to be protected. Their life and safety must be guaranteed, as well as their freedom. Also read Rights of Husband upon Wife in Islam 

“(O Glorious Messenger!) Invite towards the path of your Lord with strategic wisdom and refined exhortation and (also) argue with them in a most decent manner. Surely your Lord knows him well who strayed away from His path and He also knows well the rightly guided.” (16:125)

4. Having a Proper Education

There are many case in this world that show how minorities are discriminated in every aspect in lives. They often lost their chance for proper education due to illogical reasons that related to their status as minorities. It is violating the rights of minorities because as a human, they have the rights for proper education and to be given the equal opportunity.

5. Rights for Justice

The status of every people is equal in the eye of the law. So that even minorities should have their own justice and not to be discriminated by the law. Also read Rights Of Parents in Islam

As reported by Safwan ibn Sulaim: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “No doubt, if anyone wrongs a person protected by a covenant, violates his rights, burdens him with more work than he is able to do, or takes something from him without his consent, then I will be his advocate on the Day of Resurrection.” – Abu Dawud

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6. Rights for Respect

Respecting each other is the basic thing to treat one another with manner. We should show our respect to anyone, including the minorities. Don’t feel superior before them and disrespect them because they are minorities. They have their rights to be respected by others. Disrespecting the minorities is violating the human rights itself.

7. Rights to be Sympathized

Minorities are human being, just like the rest of us. When something unfortunate happen to them, they have rights to be sympathized. For example when their family member passed away, we should pay our condolence and when they need our help we have to help them within our capability. That is how human should live with each other. Also read Rights of a Younger Brother in Islam

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8. Rights to Give Donation

We can’t deny that minorities often treated unfairly, including when they want to do some good in life. For example, their donation are rejected because they are only a smaller part of the society. We have to accept their good intention to donate, as giving donation is the rights of every people who wants to do good things in life.

9. Privacy Rights

In Islam, everyone have rights to protect their privacy and to be respected for their choice. Minorities also have that rights. Islam do not recognize any discrimination towards non Muslims or other minorities. We must respect their privacy like how we want our privacy to be respected. Also read Rights of Siblings in Islam

10. Not to be Discriminated

This is the most crucial rights of minorities in Islam. They must not be discriminated in every aspects of life. They have the same rights to live, speak their mind, and choose their religion freely. They should not exiled and discriminated and being treated unequally.

11. Their Basic Necessities to be Fulfilled

There are three basic necessities for a human that must be fulfilled in any condition, regardless of their status in society: food, house, and clothing. Minorities have the rights to get those three fulfilled. It means they can work and earn money just like others in the society or to receive donation when they are unable to work.

12. To be Treated with Kindness

Treating people with kindness is a must. In everyday live, we should make friends with as many people as possible, doing good deeds, and treating them with kindness. It’s how humanity works. But we often see how minorities are treated harshly and even violated in the public eye. What make it worse that no one seemed to defend them.

So those are all the rights of minorities in Islam for all Muslim to know. More than that, as a good Muslim we should not discriminate others. We should treat fellow human being as good as how we would like to be treated by others.