Islam and Human Rights — Page 131
Article 16 131 Men and women are equally entitled to protection against calumny and persecution. “Those who malign be lieving men and believing women for what they have not earned shall bear the guilt of calumny and a manifest sin” (33:59), and “Those who persecute the believing men and the believing women and then repent not, for them is surely the chastisement of the Fire, and for them is the punish ment of burning” (85:11). The mercy and forgiveness of Allah are extended equally to men and women: “Allah turns in mercy to believing men and believing women, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful” (33:74). The Prophet is exhorted to pray for both men and women: “Know, therefore, that there is no god other than Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy frailties, and for the believing men and the believing women. Allah knows the place wherein you move about and the place wherein you abide” (47:20). In the Hereafter both men and women will be accorded the light of God’s pleasure: “Think of the day when thou wilt see the believing men and the believing women, their light running before them and on their right hands, and it will be said of them, ‘Glad tidings for you this day! Gardens through which streams flow, wherein you will abide. That is the supreme triumph’”