On the Place of Human Rights in Imam Reza’s Behavior and Attitudes

Human rights are a collection of rights and freedoms that any human being can benefit from duringhis individual and sociallife in order to maintain his inherent dignity. This concept is suchnotable when looking at Imam Reza (A.S)’s wordsand conduct that by referring to it, one might gain an appropriate understanding of the relationship between Islam and human rights.Along with explaining Religious Laws and orders of perspicuous religion of Islam,Imam Reza would describe principles and basics of human rights in order to create a pious and faithful-to-people society, and finally manifest ways of guidance and bliss to everyone. The present study aims to consider, carefully and systematically, the key principles of human rights as assumed by Imam Reza, by gathering library documents and resources, with the approach of content and document analysis. It is attempted to depict the behavior and attitudes of Imam Reza towards the concept of human rights and its position in Islam. According to Imam Reza’s trainings,Human dignityis the base of everything, and all human rights’ principles are shaped based on this principle, as well as equity and freedom. Imam Reza’s efforts on human rights are not restricted to financial, judicial and social rights. Rather, rights related to human thoughts are more important for him, some clear examples of which are non-imposition of religion and freedom of scientific discussions.