Asylum: A Moral and Legal Right in Islam

The ethical teachings and juridical principles of Islam – especially with regard to the dignity of humans and the need to protect it under all circumstances – coupled with the personal example and directives of Prophet Muhammad concerning asylum and the treatment of refugees, led to the development in Islamic civilization of a comprehensive and highly sophisticated system of ethical values and legal rules in the context of which the granting of asylum and the protection of both migrants and refugees have been universally and unequivocally regarded as moral and legal obligations, not only by states and governments, but also by individuals and civil society. In this article, it is hoped that the nature and structure of these teachings and principles are clearly, if briefly, explained. Aspects of the practical application of these norms and principles in history are also highlighted.