ABSTRACT
It is often suggested that the language of rights, which will not be explored in detail in this paper, fits uncomfortably in any discussion of the position of the child in Islamic law. Thus, any attempt to develop a universal approach to children’s rights is doomed to failure, and theorists and practitioners alike would best be advised to stick to their own patch. Others, alarmed perhaps by the negative and perhaps even damaging result which would be achieved if this view were to prevail, argue strongly that we should at least try to develop universal norms; and point to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as a good beginning.
