What do we mean by the right to liberty:
The right to liberty is a fundamental human right recognized and protected by laws and institutions in many countries. This right ensures that individuals have the freedom to live their lives as they see fit, as long as they do not harm others. It is often considered one of the most important human rights. The right to liberty is closely related to the concept of individual autonomy of the individual. That is, individuals have the freedom to make their own decisions and choices about how to live their lives.
The right to liberty has many aspects and covers a wide range of rights. These may include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of choice, freedom of association, freedom of movement, etc. In many countries, including the Western world, these rights are often protected by laws and institutions and are seen as essential for the development of individuals and societies.
The right to liberty is essential for the well-being and development of individuals and societies and is the cornerstone of the state system and various institutions. This right is often seen as inalienable, meaning it cannot be taken away or violated by any government or other authority. It is also often seen as universal, meaning it applies to all people regardless of caste, religion, or caste. Overall, the right to liberty is a fundamental human right that is essential for the well-being and development of individuals and societies. This right is part of political thought and the cornerstone of state institutions. It is the responsibility of governments and other authorities to protect this right and ensure that individuals can live their lives independently.
John Locke (1632 – 1704), an influential Enlightenment thinker, argued for natural rights, including the rights to life, liberty, and property, in his seminal work “Two Treatises of Government” (1690). He argues that these rights of individuals are their inherent or natural rights and that governments should act and create institutions to protect them.
John Stuart Mill (1806 – 1873): A utilitarian philosopher, contributed to the concept of liberty in his work “On Liberty” (1859). He advocated the principle of individual liberty, stating that individuals should be free to act as they wish as long as their actions do not harm others.
Right to guidance and direction:
We will discuss the concept of guidance or guidance and how it relates to the right to freedom and individual autonomy of the individual. Guidance is a concept that guides individuals to make their own decisions and choices about how to live their lives.
Guidance, in a general sense, refers to the provision of individuals or organizations to navigate a path. Guidance refers to guidance, advice, and support to help individuals make informed decisions or achieve specific objectives. It involves the process of providing guidance or assistance to move someone or something toward a desired outcome or toward a morally just course of action.
In the Quranic verse (20:50): “Our Lord is He who gave each thing its creation, then guided [it].” God, Who is the Supreme, created and guided everything in the universe. In this context, guidance or “Hedayat” refers to the divine direction or guidance given by God to every created thing in the universe. This indicates that after giving each thing its existence, God continues to provide the purpose, direction, and guidance for the functioning of that creation. This “guidance” is not a one-time thing but is ongoing and forever. This intuitive “guidance” is not limited to humans but pervades all elements of the universe’s creation.
Therefore, all creations have the right to be guided. The right to guidance is a “Haqq” or right that God has given to all creation. The right to guidance allows individuals to make their own decisions and choices about how to live their lives. It is not a one-time thing but it is an ongoing process that a person always has this right in his life.
It is a “right” that entitles us to guidance. But at the same time, it creates duties or responsibilities for us when we enjoy them, creating a duality between rights and duties. With this ‘Haqq’ comes two levels of duty – one duty to the Creator and the second duty to the creation. Thus, the duties of the right to Guidance are-
A: Duty to the Creator: To seek divine knowledge
The right to be guided comes with a duty; that is to acknowledge that God is the guide of all things, the source of wisdom and knowledge; and to seek guidance from Him. Thus, this “right” creates a moral obligation upon us to perform a duty and that is to seek guidance from God. The right to guidance imposes a moral obligation to seek guidance from God, the ultimate source of knowledge and guidance. This responsibility indicates a reciprocal relationship between the individual and the divine. Moral responsibility is to seek guidance from the Creator who is the guide of all. We can fulfill the duty of seeking guidance through prayer, supplication, remembering God, or creating awareness within ourselves about God. By fulfilling this responsibility, individuals not only respect their right to guidance but also recognize their inherent dependence on divine wisdom. Such work is not only admirable; they are a manifestation of justice to acknowledge fair dues, the ultimate guide. Acknowledging God as the source of all wisdom and knowledge and seeking guidance from Him is part of justice.
B. Duty to Creation:
The right to guidance creates a duty to other creations. When we encounter other people, we know that the right to be guided is also the right or “Haqq” of that person. Thus, that human “right” creates a moral obligation to fulfill our duty, and that fundamental duty is to respect other people’s decisions and lifestyle choices, as long as they do not harm or violate others.
Thus, the right to guidance creates a duty for individuals to respect the beliefs and expressions of others. Along with this duty is a sense of moral responsibility to remind others that God is the ultimate guide for all. This includes not imposing one’s beliefs on others and allowing them the freedom to find guidance in their own way. Additionally, it is recognizing that guidance comes only from God and being open to learning from others and considering different perspectives or ways of understanding. In this way, individuals can fulfill a duty to respect and support the guidance rights of others. Respect others’ own procedures and responsibilities for seeking guidance.
Surah al-Baqarah (2:256): “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.”
This verse unequivocally asserts the principle of religious freedom and rejects the coercive imposition of faith. The phrase “shall be under no compulsion” refers to the idea that individuals should not be forced or compelled to adopt a particular religion. The decision to adopt a religious belief is voluntary and based on personal conviction.
The verse emphasizes freedom of choice in matters of religion. It suggests that individuals have the right to choose their beliefs without being forced or pressured by others. This aligns with the responsibility to respect the autonomy of individuals in their religious decisions. This verse makes clear the difference between right and wrong, along with the responsibility to respect the beliefs and expressions of others. Here are hints about staying on the right path of faith and religion.
Surah Al-Isra (17:70): “We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things.”
In this verse, the Qur’an emphasizes the inherent honor accorded to all mankind descended from Adam. The phrase “honored to the children of Adam” highlights the high status given to mankind by Allah. This respect extends to many aspects of human existence, including guidance. The reference to carrying on land and sea symbolizes the extensive support and care given by Allah to mankind throughout the world and their life journey. The provision of “good things” includes not only material sustenance but also spiritual guidance and wisdom.
In the context of the right to guidance, this verse reinforces the idea that guidance is an integral part of the divine honor bestowed upon mankind. It implies that just as God provides for physical needs, He also provides means of spiritual guidance, emphasizing the interrelationship of the material and spiritual aspects of human life.
Ethical Responsibilities in the Light of Guidance:
Duties are specific obligations attached to the right to direct. The moral responsibility is to create an environment for upholding and expanding the basic human rights of people. These responsibilities, consistent with the concept of personal individual autonomy, include:
A. To create awareness about the rights given by God:
“Our Lord is He who gave everything its creation, then guided it.” God, the Almighty, has given everything and direction in the creation of the universe. The right to guidance imposes a moral obligation to seek guidance from the Creator, who is the ultimate source of knowledge and guidance. The duty of receiving guidance can be fulfilled through prayer, supplication, remembering God, or creating awareness about God. The moral responsibility of individuals, social institutions, and the state is to convey this message to all people. By fulfilling this responsibility, individuals not only honor their right to guidance but also communicate their inherent dependence on divine wisdom.
B. Enhancing Individual Autonomy:
Individual autonomy, an aspect of freedom; allows individuals to make choices about their own lives, including decisions about their education, career, relationships, and lifestyle, without undue interference. Encouraging individual autonomy aligns with the moral responsibility to respect diverse ways of seeking guidance. People should create spaces where different faiths have their place, maintaining an atmosphere of mutual coexistence and respect. There is also a moral responsibility to protest where individual freedoms are violated.
Creating an environment that upholds freedom of speech while respecting others’ right to guidance. People are morally responsible for fostering spaces where diverse opinions and expressions are acknowledged and respected. Individuals must create inclusive environments where people are free to explore their spiritual paths without coercion. It is the responsibility of society and the state to regard the right to freedom as essential for the well-being and development of individuals and society and to protect it.
We can conclude that the central concept of Haqq in Ibn al-Arabi’s teaching is that God is the ultimate guide, creator and provider of all things. The verses we have quoted from the Qur’an further emphasize the fact that God created everything in the world and He is the One who plans and directs everything. In this context, the right to freedom would be regarded as a natural right, stemming from the fact that Allah created us and gave us the freedom to use and enjoy all of His creation by providing us with knowledge and guidance. Thus, from this perspective, the right to freedom is a right granted by God, and a reflection of God’s generosity. As a result of having this right, the moral obligation to respect the freedom of others is an extension of our duty. Furthermore, it implies that the moral duty to respect the freedom of others is a way of showing gratitude for the blessings and rights bestowed by God.
