John Locke argues that natural rights—life, liberty, and property—are inherent to humans and exist before any society or government. These rights cannot be taken away.

From an Islamic perspective, while some of Locke’s conclusions align with our values, his framework is problematic. Locke assumes that humans are born without any inherent understanding of what is good or true, and that knowledge is built through experience. This doesn’t provide a solid foundation for rights, as it overlooks objective moral truths. While some of Locke’s conclusions may be valid, his reasoning is incomplete from an Islamic viewpoint.

Islamic political thought, on the other hand, is rooted in principles derived from the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These principles focus on preserving five core values:

1. Deen (Religion): Protecting faith and religious practices.

2. Nafs (Life): Protecting human life.

3. Aql (Intellect): Protecting intellect and mental faculties.

4. Mal (Property): Protecting property.

5. Nasl (Lineage): Protecting family and dignity.

A key principle in Islam is la darar wa la dirar, meaning “do not harm and do not reciprocate harm.” This principle guides both personal actions and the role of the state, which is limited to preserving these essential values and preventing harm.

While both classical liberalism and Islam advocate for limited government and the protection of individual rights, their foundations differ. Liberalism often grounds rights in human autonomy and experience, while Islam bases rights on divine guidance and the will of God. The principles may overlap in practice, but they are rooted in different moral frameworks.

Shaykh Hasan Spiker