Human Rights and Islamic Law: A Comparative Juridical Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative juridical analysis of human rights as articulated in modern international law and classical Islamic jurisprudence. While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) emphasizes individual autonomy and equality, Islamic law frames rights within divine sovereignty and communal responsibility. The study explores the convergences and divergences between these paradigms by analyzing foundational texts such as the Qur’an, Sunnah, and international human rights treaties. It further highlights how Shariah principles such as Adl (justice), Hurriyah (freedom), and Karāmah al-Insān (human dignity) align with universal human rights norms. Through qualitative textual analysis, this study argues that both systems, despite differing epistemological foundations, share the objective of ensuring justice, human welfare, and dignity. The paper concludes that dialogue between Islamic jurisprudence and international human rights law can strengthen global frameworks for human equality and ethical governance.