Islam has ensured several rights for man and enjoined the rulers to observe and maintain them. Islam ensured rights and duties for man in a manner secures justice without discrimination between color, race, or language,
I will review, in this article, two rights; freedom and equality
First right: Freedom
Islam gave man the freedom of choice in the greatest things and the most dangerous in his life, the choice of religion and his conversion, Allah Almighty says: ” And say, “The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve.” ” (Kahf: 29), and ” There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion” (Al-Baqarah: 256). These verses and the like found the basis to freedom of doctrine, and the prohibition of coercion to convert to Islam.
If Islam recognizes freedom of belief, it has acknowledged, with greater reason, the freedom of expression, and the Prophet, peace be upon him, inured his companions to it, `Ubadah ibn As-Samit related as saying: (We pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, to be obedient in easy and difficult matters, and do not dispute with the righteous people, and to do or say the right wherever we were not afraid from whomsoever.) related by Bukhari and Muslim.
Freedom of expression is manifested in many ways; objection to the ruler, debate with him, and advising him, diligence in the legal rulings, and so on.
Islam does not let the freedom of expression unrestricted so as not to man hurt others or spread corruption everywhere arguing that he practice his legitimate right, rather it restricted it to not contradict a verdict, consensus, or hurt others.
To be continued……….
Translated by Ammar
