In Islam, all should have access to:
Freedom of thinking and opinion. The Holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, required his companions to tell the truth and express their views fearing no blame when he peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “He who holds back from telling the truth is dumb devil.” The Prophet’s Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, put this principle into effect. One man addressed Omar Ibn Al-Khattab saying: “Fear Allah, Prince of the Believers!” One man protested saying: “You say this to the Prince of the Believers!” Omar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Let him say it. You are useless if you do not say it, and we are useless if we do not accept it from you.” On another occasion, when Omar was asked why he did not repute or reject Ali’s judgement, as it was in conflict with Omar’s, he answered: “had the matter been stated in the Qur’aan and Hadith I would have rejected it. But it is a matter of opinion and opinion is common and nobody is sure which of the two views is more right in the sight of Allah.”

Everyone is free to own property and earn his living as stated in the Qur’an: “…Unto men a fortune from that which they have earned, and unto women a fortune from that which they have earned…” (The Qur’aan, Chapter An-Nisa’a, 4:32)

Everyone should be given the chance to be educated, as stated by the Holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: “Seeking knowledge is every Muslim's duty.” (Baihaqi) Islam requires scholars to disseminate knowledge and not to hide it so that everyone may benefit by it. This is stated by the Holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: “whoso-ever is asked about some (religious) information, yet he conceals it will be bridled on the Day of Judgement with a bridle of fire.” (Abu Dawood and Thirmidhi)

Everyone has the right to utilize the resources deposited in this universe by its Creator. The Qur’an says: “He it is Who has made the earth subservient unto you, so walk in the path thereof and eat of His providence. And unto Him will be the resurrection (of the dead).” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al-Mulk, 67:15)

Everyone may have access to leadership in society if he is worthy and capable of it. Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “If a person is placed in authority over Muslims and he appoints a man over them out of prejudice (in favor of him), Allah’s curse be upon him, and Allah will not accept any good deeds from him, until He throws him into hell-fire.” (Al-Hakim)

All this should be within the framework of Islam, and no aspect of freedom should be in conflict with others’ freedom. Philosopher and Historian, A. J. Toynbee, in his book, “Civilization on Trial”, states that, “putting an end to racial discrimination and tribalism has been one of the greatest feats and prides of Islam. It is in fact the biggest need of this age. Undoubtedly, English speaking nations have achieved a certain degree of success in inter-linking of peoples and have given mankind good and mercy, but it should be admitted that they failed to get rid of racial and national sentiments.”

Islam has no independent spiritual powers like those given to the clergy in other religions. That is because, when it came, it eliminated all intermediaries that are placed or installed between God (Allah) and His servants. It criticized idolaters for their adoption of intermediaries in worship, as appears from the Qur’anic verse that relates their false argument: “We worship them only that they may bring us near unto Allah.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Sad, 38:3) Then Allah, Glory to Him, makes clear to them the true nature of these intermediaries: “Lo! Those whom you call besides Allah are slaves like you. So call on them now and let them answer you, if you are truthful.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al-A’raf, 7:194) Thus Islam has established and stabilized the concept of direct God-man relationship on the basis of absolute belief in Allah and His revealed ordinances and way of life. Forgiveness must be sought directly from Him with no intermediator. Whoever commits a sin should raise his hands and prays humbly to Allah for forgiveness. This is clear from the following words: “Who so does evil or wrongs his own soul, then seeks pardon of Allah, will find Allah Forgiving, Merciful.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter An-Nisa’a, 4:110) Islam, unlike other religions, has no clergymen who permit and prohibit as if they were - and they actually consider themselves as- responsible on behalf of Allah for His servants. Consequently, they legislate for them, control their beliefs and admit into paradise whom they will and prevent whom they will. Allah, Glory to Him says about them: “They have taken as Rabbs besides Allah their rabbis and their monks...”(The Qur’aan, Chapter At-Tawbah, 9:31) Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, explained: “that they did not worship them; only they obeyed them when they made something lawful or unlawful for them (i.e., legislated for them).” (Tirmidhi)
Islam gives the individual rights due to him/her with society and rights due in the interest of all. The individual works in the interest of society and vice versa. The Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:“The bonds of brotherhood between two Muslims are like parts of a building, one part strengthens and holds the other. And he crossed the fingers of one hand between those of the other (to illustrate the point).”(Bukhari) However, in case of conflict between individual and collective interests, the latter are to have priority over the former, as in the case of demolishing a house about to fall or taking out part of it to be added to the street in the public interest (of course after compensating the owner of the house) For example, a man from the Ansar (Muslims immigrants) had a fruit garden. In that garden there were a number of palm trees owned by a man called Samura Ibn Jundub, who used to go into the garden for his palm trees, but he caused harm to the garden and its owner. The owner complained about that to the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to Samura: “Sell him the palm trees.” Samura refused. The Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Pull them out.” He refused. Therefore, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to him: “You are hurtful.” Then he addressed the garden owner saying: “Go and pluck out his palm trees.”
Islam is the religion of mercy, pity and sympathy. It called to giving up severity and rudeness and following Islam’s Prophet’s example as described in the Qur’an: “It was by the mercy of Allah that you were lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if you had been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from about you…” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al-Imran, 3:159) The Holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said in this connection: “Merciful people are worthy of Allah’s Mercy. Show mercy to those living on earth and you will receive mercy from the One Who is in Heaven (Allah).” (Tirmidhi) Islam has established kind and merciful treatment for all people, even with enemies. This is clear in the Prophet’s peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, commandment: “Treat prisoners of war kindly.” If this is the Holy Prophet’s direction about prisoners of war who fight against Muslims, what would you expect his directions will be about peaceful people?
Islam extended its mercy and sympathy even to animals, as seen from the following tradition: “A woman was thrown into Hell-fire because she shut up a cat till it died. She neither gave it something to eat and drink nor let it pick up its food from the insects and other similar creatures of the earth.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, once saw a donkey which had been marked on its face (with fire), upon which he said: “Allah’s curse be on him who has tattooed it.” (Muslim) Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, once passed by some Qurayshi boys who had made a bird a target and were shooting arrows at it. Ibn Umar asked: “Who has done this? May Allah’s curse be upon the person who did this? Allah’s Messenger peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has cursed the man who makes a living thing a target for shooting. (Bukhari and Muslim) Once the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, passed by a camel whose belly was sticking to his back (due to hunger). On this he remarked: “Fear Allah and observe your duty to Him as regards these inarticulate animals. Ride on them while they are healthy and similarly eat their meat when they are in good health.” (Abu Dawood) If such is Islam’s mercy towards animals, how then would be its mercy towards man, whom Allah has favored more than all other creatures and honored. Allah, glory to Him, says: “Verily We have honored the children of Adam. We carry them on the land and the sea, and have made provision of good things for them, and have preferred them above many of those whom We created with a marked preferment.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter 17:70)
Islam has not only required mercy for animals; it has also made it a way to forgiveness to sins and to Paradise. This is clear from the following tradition: “A man walking along a path felt very much thirsty, reaching a well he descended into it, drank water to his fill and came out, when he saw a dog with its tongue bulging out and trying to lick up mud to quench his thirst. The man said to himself that the dog was feeling the same extreme thirst as he had felt a little while before. So he descended once more into the well, filled his leather Hoosier with water and came up holding it by his teeth and gave the dog a drink. Allah appreciated this act of this man and forgave his sins. The Holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was asked: Messenger of Allah, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals as well? He said: There is recompense for kindness to every living things.” (Bukhari)

Islam is not a religion of monasticism, celibacy, devotion of life for the sake of the Hereafter, and abstention from enjoyment of good things created by Allah for man. The Holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “He also said: Allah, glory to him, is pleased to see the effect of his favors on his servant.” (Tirmidhi) It is not a religion that allows uncontrolled indulgence in this worldly life; it is a religion of moderation that embraces both religious and secular affairs and considers them as complementary to each other; no one aspect should prevail at the expense of another. Allah, glory to him, points this out: “But seek, (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the abode of the hereafter, and neglect not your portion of the world, and be kind even as Allah has been kind to you.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al-Qasas, 28:77) The Glorious Qur’aan has enjoined, in several verses, balancing the spirit and the body, so it instructed man to remember his physical needs pertaining to earning his living while being busy with worship: “And when the prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah’s bounty…” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al-Jumu’a, 62:10) It also called man, while preoccupied with worldly matters and concerns, to remember his spiritual needs by performing the devotions prescribed by Allah, He said: “Men whom neither merchandise nor sale beguiles from remembrance of Allah and constancy in prayer and paying to the poor their due; who fear a day when hearts and eyeballs will be overturned.” (The Qur’aan, An-Nur, 24:37)
Islam has introduced a way of life that preserves the rights of spirit, body and mind in accordance with a divine Law which keeps people away from going to extremes. As a Muslim is required to control his soul and bring it to account for its acts Allah said: “And whose does good an atom’s weight will see it then. And whose does ill an atom’s weight will see it then.” (The Qur’aan, Al-Zalzalah, 99:7-8) “A wise person is one who keeps a watch over himself and calls it to account and does good deeds in preparation for the Hereafter; whereas, a helpless person is one who pursues his desires blindly and yet expects from Allah the fulfillment of his futile desires.” (A Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad) Man is also required not to fail to enjoy the good things made lawful for him by Allah, including food, drink, clothing and marriage, as stated in the Holy Qur’an: “Say: 'Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has brought forth for His bondmen and the good things of His provisions…'” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al-A’raf, 7:32)
Islam has forbidden only what is harmful for man, in his body, wealth or society. The human soul has been created by Allah and made viceroy in the earth so as to abide by His Law Allah said: “He it is who has placed you as viceroys of the earth and has exalted some of you in rank above others, that He may try you by (the test of) that which He has given you...” (The Qur’aan, Al-An’am, 6:165) Allah has created for this soul or spirit a harmonious and integrated body. He says: “Surely We created man of the best stature.” (The Qur’aan, At-Tin, 95:4) That is in order that the soul should perform, by means of the body; devotions, rights, duties, construction and population of the earth as enjoined by Allah. Therefore, Allah has ordered that the body should be maintained and cared for:
By purification and cleanness, Allah said: “…Truly Allah Loves those who turn unto Him in repentance, and loves those who purify themselves.” (The Qur’aan, Al-Baqarah, 2:222) He has required ablution (wudu’) as a prerequisite to the integrity of prayer performed by Muslims five times a day the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “No prayer is valid without performing ablutions (wudu’).” (Abu Dawud) It has also urged performing a ritual bath (ghusul) for Friday Prayer. The Holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Friday ghusul is a duty recommended for every adult (Muslim), along with miswak (natural toothbrush) and whatever amount of perfume possible.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Ritual bath is obligatory in case of major ritual impurity (janaba) Allah said: “…And if you are unclean (after sexual discharge or intercourse), purify yourselves (i.e. bath your whole body)..” (The Qur’aan, Al-Maidah, 5:6)

By cleanness; i.e. by cleaning both hands before and after meals, in compliance with the Hadith of the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: “The blessing of food is (realized) by ablutions prior to it and ablutions following it.” (Imam Ahmad) And also by cleaning the mouth, as recommended by the Holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: “Whoever eats is recommended to pick his teeth: whatever he picks he should expels it from his mouth and whatever he chews he should swallow it.”(Al-Darimi) And taking care of his teeth, the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Had I not feared that it would cause inconvenience to my people, then I would have ordered them to brush their teeth with a miswak before every prayer.” (Bukhari and Muslim) As well as removing what can be a breeding ground for germs and dirt, in accordance with the Holy Prophets’ peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, saying: “There are five practices of pure nature: removal of hair from private parts, circumcision, pulling out hair from the armpit, trimming of the moustache and clipping of nails.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

By instructing man to eat and drink only lawful things, as evidenced by the Holy Qur’an: “O you who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He whom you worship.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al-Baqarah, 2:172) Such eating and drinking of lawful things are conditional upon avoidance of extravagance where the bad effects of which are quite evident; Allah said:“… And eat and drink, but be not prodigal. Lo! He love not the prodigals.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al-A’raf, 7:31) Prophet Mohammed peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Man never has filled a worse pot than his stomach. However, if he insists on doing it (i.e., eating), a third (of his stomach) should be apportioned to his food, a third to his drink and a third to his breath.” (Imam Ahmad)

By forbidding him to eat or drink what is bad or unlawful (such as carrion (dead meat), blood, swine-flesh, wine, drugs and smoking) for securing the safety of the body. The Qur’aan says: “He has forbidden you only carrion, and blood, and swine-flesh, and that which has been immolated to (the name of) any other than Allah. But he who is driven by necessity, neither craving nor transgressing, it is no sin for him. Lo! Allah is All-Forgiving, All- Merciful.” (The Qur’aan, Chapter Al-Baqarah, 2:173)

By encouraging the practice of sports, such as wrestling (without exposing privet parts or hurting the others), swimming, shooting, horse riding and racing (body racing) According to Ayesha, the Holy Prophet’s wife, may Allah be pleased with her: “Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, raced with me and I won. That was before I grew fat. Later he raced with me when I was a little fat and he won.” He said: “tit for tat.” (Imam Ahmad) “Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, wrestled with Rukana and won.” (Abu Dawud) The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, also said: “Teach your children shooting, swimming and horse-riding.” (Muslim)

By treatment of the body in case of sickness. According to the Holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, saying: “Take medicine, for Allah has never sent down a disease without sending down a cure for it, some people know it and others do not know it.” (Imam Ahmad)