Description
We, the moderate Muslims, believe that the Quran contains the first and foremost universal declaration of human rights in the history of mankind.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stands as a milestone towards the goal of freedom, justice and equality. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1948. It contains the broadest consensus of contemporary civilization on the subject of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights contains all the important traditional political and civil rights, such as equality before
the law; the right to a fair trial; the right to own property; freedom of opinion and expression;
and freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The UDHR Article 18 states:
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. The broad values and standards laid down by Islam clearly endorse the spirit and purpose of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as explained in the book, islam and Human Rights, by Hadhrat Zafrullah Khan, President of the International Court of Justice.
Islam upholds freedom of conscience and thought and it teaches respect and tolerance for all religions, for the Quran majestically proclaims that "There must not be any coercion in matters of faith." [2:257] That is, there should be absolutely no compulsion or constraints in the matters of belief or disbelief.
Nonetheless, a common Muslim view is that the apostate, who held the faith of islam and then abandons it, commits an unforgivable crime. And according to a significant majority of Muslim jurists, the apostate must simply be put to death.
Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmed, Khalifatul-Masih TV, In his book Murder in the Name of Allah, forcefully argues that apostasy is not considered a crime in the Holy Quran, and that it deserves no punishment. ISBN:WHATREALLYISS
