Fitrah

There is no doubt that there are tendencies within the human that do not exist within animals, such as. compassion, creativity. love, worship, etc. From the viewpoint of all monotheistic religions, these characteristics stem from his nature. Due to his divine essence, a person will seek truth and justice, will love beauty and fear evil.

In fact, all of our values are encapsulated within our nature and is one of the distinguishing features of humans and gives them superiority over animals.These innate qualities arc holy and not from the realm of the mundane nor natural instincts. For some reason, they are not always manifest within individual and social ethics.

The measure of the humanity of a person is according to the development of his innate values and the criterion for virtue and excellence, is the condition of these human values within him. The reason for their existence is to allow man to attain human perfection.

These divine characteristics, which exist within the human, are in fact beyond the limits of time and place and particularity. Human nature seeks perfection and infinity and desires to attain all perfections in every time and place. Among other features of human nature, is the desire for beauty and love, which lays the ground for altruism and the helping of other humans, animals and plants. In other words, since animals do not understand the desires of humans and do not desire them, the human nature can be regarded as one of the most important distinction between humans and animals.

The Value of Human Beings

(…Whoever saves a life is as (though he saved all mankind. (5:32) ) 
The below sentences are found within the opening sentences of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

“Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people.

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith In fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.

Now, therefore the General Assembly proclaims This Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, lo the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education lo promote respect for these rights and freedoms...”

The failure of the First and Second World Wars in the twentieth century showed how important the issue of human rights is. more than at any other time in history. The preamble of the United Nations Charter and thirty different articles lay emphasis on human rights, the dignity and worth of the human, equality of rights between men and women, equality of large and small nations, and so on. Human value is great and these rights should be considered. All humans should declare with the loudest voice that the value and respect of the human is so great that no person or thing should cause him her to be humiliated or treated like an animal/ sub-human.

Indeed, what is the meaning of human dignity? Why does the Charter of Human Rights state: “Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world?” What is this dignity of the human that is introduced as his first integral right? It is apparent from looking at the world today that the value of these sentences has not been given due regard and they have remained only words.

The content of the United Nations Charter is simply a confirmation that all people possess human dignity and demand justice and respect for their rights and others. However, a noteworthy point is that the main cause for the many faults and shortcomings which exist in the implementation of the provisions of this charter lies in how to define and identify the rights of humans, animals, trees and other beings and this has also led to many sharp divisions, conflicts and wars (even after the drafting of this charter). According to the provisions of this charter, no one denies that justice is good, but that which is causing problems in the world is the lack of proper foundations that determine the rights and position of each individual in society: the separation from divine teachings and principles, which have explained the rights of all animals separately and in different situations, has been the main cause of the major problems in societies.