Customer Reviews

The Dignity of Man: An Islamic Perspective (Fundamental Rights and Liberties in Islam Series)

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Dr. Kamali has yet produced another masterpiece on a subject that is so comprehensive yet essential to the understanding of Islam and Muslims. The author starts with a historical background on the human rights and dignity, especially the rapid changes leading to massive human rights abuses during the two world wars in the twentieth century. He then expounds the Western concept of human rights and immediately jumps into the topic of human dignity and rights from an Islamic perspective. He expounds on the topics of the intimate process of creation of human beings (thus reflecting God's adoration for humankind), the universal quality of human fraternity, the pre-eminence of human beings above others, and the rights God conferred upon humankind including (not limited to): right to personal privacy, right to safety, equality, compassion and tolerance, protection from abuse, etc. He provides an excellent elaboration on all of these topics from an Islamic perspective supporting it with classical and contemporary references including the Quran, Hadith (statements and actions of Prophet Muhammad), scholarly works of old and new, and other academic references. This book is a definite must read for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to understand better the favors and rights God conferred upon human beings 1350 years before UN's Declaration of Human Rights. Reader should also take caution because Kamali drifts into a couple of controversial areas where he appears to prefer more contemporary thoughts at the expense of classical and well established exegesis (e.g. creation of Adam vs. Eve). Overall, I rate this book very high due to its literacy quality as well proof value.