Islam and Human Rights — Page 207
Future Relationship between Islam and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 207 is discrimination in reverse but has, no doubt, been considered necessary as a temporary safe guard to enable the newly framed constitution to work smoothly. The steady extension of the franchise is a healthy and welcome indication of movement in the right direction. With the spread of education and a rise in the standard of living, the common man is coming into his own once more. As the decline had affected women more adversely even than men, the reverse process is proving even more beneficial for women than for men, though there is still a certain amount of leeway to be made up. A note of caution must, however, be sounded. It is a homely but wise adage that all that glitters is not gold. In the social sphere, particularly, all that shines may not be beneficent. Islam aims at a joyous, cheerful, happy, but sober, restrained and responsible society. For this purpose it has devised a set of norms, adherence to the observance of which would safeguard society, as well as individuals, against all harm. Experience has proved their beneficence, it has also demonstrated the harm that follows upon their neglect. It would be wise to take both types of lesson to heart. In the preceding section some comment has been offered on the deterioration of values in Muslim society