FREEDOM OF BELIEF IS ONE OF THE BASICS OF ISLAM

Freedom of belief is one of the basics of Islam

In a clear and basic rule about the religious freedom and the freedom of expression in Islam, God Almighty Allah says in Al Qur’an: 

In the Name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful. “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.” [Al Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqara: 256].

The Prophet Muhammad PBUH and the Muslims after him did not order anyone to compulsorily embrace Islam. Neither did they force people to look like Muslims to escape death or torture. How can they do this and they well know that if someone accepts Islam under duress, his Islam becomes valueless in the Doomsday, which every Muslim seeks to realize.

It was mentioned in the reasons behind the revelation of the aforementioned verse: Ibn Abbas said: “The women of the Helpers whose boys always died in infancy used to vow to bring up their boys as Jews if they were to live. When the Banu'l-Nadir were driven out, they had among them children of the Helpers. The Helpers said: 'We will not leave our children!' Upon which Allah, exalted is He, revealed: “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error.” 

 In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. “Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not.” - Al Qur’an, Surah Al-‘Alaq, Verse 1-5.

In this Surah Al-‘Alaq, Al Qur’an emphasizes the important of reading and learning in Islam. This includes learning a religion before converting. That is why Islam prohibits forcing (by way of forceful persuasion or giving food or money in exchange for converting) someone to convert into Islam. Converting to Islam must be based on his or her own free choice as a result of his or her full understanding of Islam.

Issue of faith, will of man

Islam has made the issue of faith or non-faith one of the issues that are dependant on man’s own will and his inner convictions.

God Almighty says in Al Qur’an: “Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it).” [Al-Kahf: 29] The Quran also has attracted the Prophet Muhammad PBUH’s attention to this truth and told him that he is only responsible for calling people to Allah and he has no authority to convert them to Islam. He says: “Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!” [Yunus: 99] and said: “Thou art not one to manage (men's) affairs” [Al-Ghashiyya: 22] and said: “If then they run away, we have not sent thee as a guard over them.” [Ash-Shura: 48].

Consequently, it becomes clear that the constitution of Muslims stipulates freedom of belief and categorically rejects compelling anybody to accept Islam.

Religious pluralism in Islam

Endorsement of religious freedom means admission of religious pluralism. This was a practical exercise when the Prophet (PBUH) admitted religious freedom in the first constitution of Medina, when he admitted that the Jews together Muslims form a one community. Also during the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet (PBUH) did not force Quraysh to accept Islam despite he was empowered and victorious. He told them: “Go you are free men”. Following his footsteps, Caliph Umar Ibn Al-Khattab offered Christian residents of Jerusalem protection for their lives, churches and crucifixes and that none of them should be harmed or forced to change his religion.

 Islam even enshrined freedom of religious debating on objective bases away from altercations or mocking the other. In this regard, God Almighty says: “Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.” [Al-Nahl: 125] On these gracious principles, dialogue should be built between Muslims and non-Muslims. Islam has also called for dialogue with the people of the book.

The Quran says: “Say: "O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah. That we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah. If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s Will).” [Al’Imran: 64] This means that if dialogue renders no result, everybody then has his own religion that he convinced of and that was also expressed in the last verse of Al-Kafirun, which concluded with the Prophet (PBUH) saying: “To you be your Way, and to me mine.” [Al-Kafirun: 6]

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Say: (O Muhammad PBUH to these Mushrikûn and Kâfirûn ): "O Al-Kafirûn (disbelievers in Allah, in His Oneness, in His Angels, in His Holy Books (Taurat, Injil, Zabur and Al Qur’an), in His Messengers, in the Day of Resurrection, and in Al-Qadar )! I worship not that which you worship, Nor will you worship that which I worship.And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping. Nor will you worship that which I worship.TO YOU BE YOUR RELIGION, and TO ME MY RELIGION (Islamic Monotheism)." - Al Qur’an, Surah Al Kafirun.

Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).

Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.

Allah is the protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the Evil Ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be Companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (forever). (Al Qur’an, Al-Baqarah Surah, Verse : 255 - 257)