The Islamic theory of dignity is a theory about dignity in the sense of respect, derived from the three primary sources of understanding Islamic knowledge: reason, the Book of God (Qur’an), and the Tradition. From the perspective of reason, dignity is one of the intrinsic consequences of existence. Therefore, not only humans but all beings possess dignity because they all exist. Dignity, or in other words, respect, is a reality that arises from the inherent value of each being. The measure of value is the existential perfections of each being. Thus, since existence is always accompanied by goodness, meaning accompanied by perfection, and every perfect thing is valuable, and every valuable thing possesses dignity, it follows that every existing entity has dignity. Consequently, all beings possess dignity. Based on this, and because dignity is concomitant with existence, all the attributes of existence, such as gradation, originality, and pervasiveness, are also attributes of dignity.
Dignity, in a broad classification, is divided into two categories: voluntary dignity and involuntary (ontological) dignity. Involuntary (ontological) dignity is an intrinsic attribute of every being and always accompanies that being. Voluntary dignity pertains to the voluntary actions of beings with free will. The benefit of discussing the dignity of beings lies in respecting the charter of their rights.
In addition to reason, the Qur’an also does not limit dignity solely to humans. From the Qur’an's perspective, God Almighty, angels, humans, jinn, animals, plants, and even inanimate objects possess dignity.
Islamic narrations, particularly the traditions of Imam Reza (A.S.), have also attributed dignity to various types of beings. According to him, dignity has diverse types and various degrees. In philosophical terms, dignity is a graded concept. The scale for measuring the dignity of individuals and the ways of receiving dignity from others are among the topics of the Islamic theory of dignity. The research method in this discussion is an intellectual-textual approach derived from library resources.