Rights and Responsibilities

Suggested Duration: 60 minutes

Learning Objectives

To understand the difference between 'rights' and 'responsibilities'
To highlight the different ways Muslims can enjoy their rights and fulfil their responsibilities
To learn that the government has constitutional rights over, and responsibilities towards, its citizens

Key Words

Rights, responsibilities, kindness, sharing, community, individual, government policy, protest, constitutional right

Islamic Values

Islam teaches us to fulfil our responsibilities and to protect our rights. It also teaches us to treat others the way we want to be treated.

Citizenship Values

A good citizen would claim their rights and also carry out their responsibilities.

A responsible government looks after its citizens and their well-being.

Resources

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1701: Lesson Objectives

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1702: Understanding Rights and Responsibilities

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1702(a): Rights and Responsibilities in School and Madrasah

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1703: Government's Rights and Responsibilities

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1704: Islamic Guidance

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1705: Feedback

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1706: Follow-up Worksheet

Activities

Ask some quick questions to recap the last lesson.

Share the lesson objectives.

A Starter Activity

Ask pupils what the terms 'rights' and 'responsibilities' mean. Give them a few minutes to talk to each other and then take quick feedback.

Explain that 'rights' are the things that you are entitled to, those things which you should have without having to ask for them, for example, education, health and a safe environment. Explain that the United Nations has a charter (a set of rules) that lists the rights of children and young people. Share with the class that in some parts of the world children have to work long hours without sufficient food or decent wages. They have no right to these entitlements.

B Development

Activity 1: Understanding Rights and Responsibilities

Ask pupils to list five rights (on Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1702) they think that they have in the UK. These rights could be at home, at school, in the madrasah or in the community. Tell them to use only column 1 of the activity sheet. Give them a few minutes to complete the list of their rights.

Now explain that 'responsibilities' are those things that you must do, the things you are responsible for - for example, you have a responsibility to do your homework, to respect your parents, and to pray five times a day. Stress that you must fulfil your responsibilities in order to claim your rights.

Now ask pupils to complete the second column of Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1702 by writing down their responsibilities against each of the rights they have already recorded. Take feedback by asking a few pupils to share their worksheets with the whole class.

Explain that all individuals have rights and also have responsibilities. You cannot have one without the other. Give out Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1702(a) and ask pupils to discuss their rights and responsibilities in school and the madrasah.

Activity 2: Government's Rights and Responsibilities

Explain that the activity they have just completed was about an individual's rights and responsibilities and now they are going to explore the rights of the government over them and the government's responsibilities towards them.

Split the class into small groups and hand out Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1703. Ask pupils to list five rights and responsibilities they think the government has over them. Take feedback and sum up the answers. Some suggestions might include:

It is the government's right to:

collect and spend taxes
make and enforce the law
make difficult decisions
make foreign policy
imprison criminals.

It is the government's responsibility to:

provide education
provide security - make sure we are all safe
provide health care
make sure the law is upheld justly, that is justice
allow peaceful protests
be held accountable to the electorate.

Activity 3: Islamic Guidance

Ask a pupil to recite the following verses. Explain the meaning.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاء بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلا تَعْدِلُوا اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

'O believers! Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others prevent you from being just. Be just, that is nearer to piety. And observe your duty to God; indeed God is well aware of what you do.' (Surat al-Ma'idah 5:8)

Question: What are the messages in this verse?

Suggested answer: When dealing with other people we should deal fairly and justly. We should not be unfair with others because of our differences. If we have a responsibility towards another human being, we should be fair in fulfilling this responsibility. We should be honest and fair when claiming our rights. God knows and is aware of everything we do.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاء لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَى أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَاللَّهُ أَوْلَى بِهِمَا فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوَى أَن تَعْدِلُوا وَإِن تَلْوُوا أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

‘O believers, be upholders of justice – witnesses for God, even against yourselves or parents and relatives. One may be rich or poor, God is a better caretaker of both. So do not follow desires in case you do not do justice. And if you twist or avoid, then God is All-aware of what you do.' (Surat al-Nisa' 4:135)

'For your brother, offer your blood and your wealth, for your enemy your justice and your fairness and for people in general your joy and good favour.' (Bihar al-Anwar)

'Each one of you is a shepherd and each one of you is responsible for those in your care. ' (Bukhari, Muslim)

Question: What does a shepherd do and why did Prophet Muhammad say we are all shepherds?

Suggested answer: A shepherd looks after his flock. He is responsible for the well-being of his flock and if he does not fulfil his responsibility of taking care of his flock, then he will lose his right to the milk, wool, skin and meat from his flock.

Activity 4: Debate

Split the class into two groups and read the following scenario:

You are shopping for your 'Id clothes with your mum and two younger brothers. You have seen a pair of trainers that your friend wears. However, they cost twice as much as your mum has set aside for you.

Remembering that your brothers also need new footwear, do you:

Insist that your mum buys you the trainers because it is your right.
Try to convince your mum that your brothers don't need new shoes or to buy cheaper shoes for them.
Accept happily that your mum cannot afford to buy you the trainers you want for the time being.

Ask pupils in the above scenario about what is their right and what is their responsibility.

Ask pupils to discuss which of the two is more important - the right or the responsibility.

C Plenary

Ask some quick questions - ask pupils to stand if they think each of the following statements is a right, and stay seated if they think it is a responsibility.

To receive medical treatment at the hospital (Right)
To respect public property (Responsibility)
To share your computer/games with your sister/brother (Responsibility)
To be taught how to pray properly (Right)
To be educated (Right)
To vote (when 18) (Right/Responsibility)
To respect the law of the country (Responsibility)
Not to harm others (Responsibility).

Sum up and stress that rights go hand in hand with responsibilities.

Ask pupils to complete Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1705.

Suggested Follow-up Work

Give instructions for follow-up work:

Ask your parents what they think your rights and responsibilities are.
Speak to your family members and identify the rights and responsibilities of your local city council.
List five rights and five responsibilities using Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1706.