Islam and Human Rights — Page 111
Articles 13-15 111 those who possess knowledge may draw lessons (30:23), does not treat this or any other diversity as creating a division among mankind. It addresses itself to the whole of mankind and the form of address is “O mankind” or “O people”, the Arabic expression in both cases being the same i. e. annas. ‘Specific commandments and directions are addressed to those who have pledged allegiance to Islam. They are addressed as “O ye who believe”. The attitude of a Muslim is, there fore, that of a true universalist, or vis-a-vis today’s political pattern, that of an internationalist, rather than that of a narrow nationalist. It is realized, however, that progress towards Internationaism and an International Community is in today’s conditions, which are a legacy of the immediate past, possible only from the starting-point of national sover eignty and independence. A people must be in possession and enjoyment of national independence and sovereignty before, even from the juridical point of view, it can pool any portion thereof for common purposes, whether regional or International. It is against this background that we may attempt a useful and profitable appraisal and appreciation of these articles of the Declaration. Islam does not contemplate any restriction on freedom of movement and residence, whether within a