Jornal of Eslamic Human Rights

The Human Rights of Refugees: The Convergence of Islamic Teachings and International Law

Document Type : Original Article

Author

fateme Ashabi

Assistant Professor of Law, Faculty of Humanities, Damghan University Damghan. Iran

Abstract
The concept of asylum and refugee rights exemplifies a prominent focus on fundamental human rights in the contemporary world. Within the framework of international human rights law, instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1951 Geneva Convention, and the 1967 Protocol emphasize the necessity of protecting refugee rights. Nevertheless, refugees in many countries encounter inhumane treatment, placing them in a paradoxical position between "right" and "rightlessness." Employing a descriptive-analytical method and a comparative approach, this study examines the question of how convergence between Islamic teachings and international law can lead to the formulation of a hybrid transnational legal protocol for safeguarding refugee rights. The findings indicate that convergence between Islamic principles, such as hifz al-nafs (preservation of life, as an instance of maqasid al-shari'ah), and international norms, such as the principle of non-refoulement (Article 33 of the 1951 Convention), can strengthen transnational legal mechanisms. Establishing hybrid legal models—such as integrating Islamic jurisprudential fatwas into UNHCR protocols for Islamic countries—and developing transnational citizenship to mitigate statelessness can improve refugees' conditions in host states and reduce forced returns. This convergence not only highlights the strengths of each system but also provides a foundation for transitioning from practical challenges to sustainable protection.

Keywords

Refugees
Right to Have Rights
Human Rights
State Sovereignty
Islam
Subjects
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