The Qur’anic Framework for Minority Rights: Upholding Justice, Dignity, and Religious Freedom

Abstract

This article examines the Qur’anic ethics of minority protection through an integrated analysis of justice (ʿadl and qisṭ), human dignity (karāmat al-insān), and freedom of belief. Using a thematic, textual, and analytical approach, the study argues that the Qur’an articulates a universal moral framework recognizing the religious autonomy of all individuals, irrespective of communal affiliation. Drawing on key Qur’anic texts, classical tafsir traditions, and early Islamic political practices—including the Constitution of Medina and covenants with non-Muslim communities—the analysis demonstrates that pluralism and non-coercion constitute core Qur’anic values grounded in divine intent. Historical examples, such as the Andalusian convivencia and the Ottoman millet system, further illustrate how these principles were operationalized to create sustainable institutions of coexistence. A comparative examination with contemporary human rights instruments, notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), highlights areas of convergence, while the framework of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah is proposed as a constructive means to address present-day challenges. The study concludes that the Qur’anic moral vision provides a robust and versatile foundation for protecting minority communities and fostering just, dignified, and pluralistic societies in modern contexts.