Islam and Human Rights — Page 170
Isl am and Hum an R ights 170 together in private, confer not for the commission of sin and trans gression and disobedience to the Messenger, but confer for the promotion of virtue and beneficence, and be mindful of your duty to Allah unto Whom you shall be gathered. The holding of secret counsels for evil purposes proceeds from Satan, that he may cause sorrow to those who believe; but it cannot harm them in the least, except by Allah’s leave. In Allah should the believers put their trust” (58:10-11). Three types of associations and conferences are en - couraged as desirable and beneficent, namely, “those that are charitable, promote welfare and strengthen peace. Who so does that, seeking the pleasure of Allah, We shall soon bestow on him a great reward” (4:115). Article 21 This article seeks to secure everyone’s right to parti - cipate in the government of his country and to have equal access to public service in his country, and that the freely expressed will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government. In this context the basic Islamic concept is that sover eignty over the universe belongs to God, but that man, as God’s vicegerent, is invested with authority in