Human dignity and humanitarian law in Islam

Human dignity is a foundational principle of Islamic thought and provides a normative framework for humanitarian principles during armed conflicts. Although international humanitarian law has received extensive scholarly attention, the relationship between human dignity and humanitarian norms within the Islamic intellectual tradition has not yet been systematically examined. This study investigates the conceptual foundations of human dignity, identifies the principal humanitarian norms found in Islamic sources, and analyzes the relationship between these two domains. Employing qualitative content analysis and historical analysis, the study draws upon the Qur'an, Prophetic Sunnah, Nahj al-Balāghah, and authenticated historical sources to examine both the normative and historical dimensions of humanitarian conduct. The concepts and analytical categories were inductively derived from these texts and used to explain broader conceptual relationships. The findings demonstrate that human dignity in Islam is an inherent and universal attribute shared by all human beings, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. This conception serves as the normative foundation for humanitarian principles governing armed conflicts. Accordingly, prioritizing peaceful settlement, refraining from initiating hostilities, protecting civilians, respecting the wounded, prisoners of war, and those hors de combat, prohibiting treachery and mutilation, and maintaining negotiations throughout hostilities are not merely ethical recommendations but practical manifestations of human dignity. The study further argues that these principles apply equally to domestic and international armed conflicts and are not limited to relations among Muslims. It concludes that human dignity functions as the philosophical and normative foundation of humanitarian law in Islam and provides a valuable basis for constructive dialogue with contemporary international humanitarian law.

کلیدواژه ها:

Menschenw&uuml ، rde ، internationales humanit&auml ، res V&ouml ، lkerrecht ، Islam ، Koran ، prophetische Sunna ، Imam Ali