Is there a basis for actions that violate human dignity if the act is not religiously forbidden?

The questioner : Do you know what is meant by actions that violate human dignity?

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : Does this matter have a basis if the act is not religiously forbidden? Is there a piece of evidence we can rely on to consider certain non-forbidden and repugnant matters in certain places or times to be among the actions that violate human dignity?

The Shaykh : This is the independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) of the scholars, and there is no explicit text regarding it. First, there is no text. Second, it varies from one era to another and from one country to another. The matter involves extreme precision.

The questioner : Is it acceptable from a Shari'ah perspective?

The Shaykh : It is acceptable.

The questioner : Is it acceptable that there are matters that violate human dignity, even if no text has come down forbidding them or declaring them disliked?

The Shaykh : Yes, yes, yes.

The questioner : What is the evidence that we accept this?

The Shaykh : May Allah guide you. I told you beforehand: there is no text regarding it; rather, it is a derivation by the scholars of knowledge. First: there is no text. Second: it is a derivation by the scholars of knowledge. Third—and finally—I told you: the matter involves extreme precision. Fourth: it varies from one country to another.