The Difference Between Islamic and Western Freedom
Freedom is considered one of the most fundamental values of humanity and constitutes the essence of humanity, to such an extent that everyone praises and appreciates it. However, the specific meaning of this word (its idiomatic and common understanding in today’s culture) has not been widely recognized until the last few centuries, with its emergence seemingly linked to the social revolution in Europe in the last century.
Islam also brought with it the message of freedom and emphasized it. This affirmation and emphasis were well articulated by Rabi’ ibn Amir to Rustam, when he bravely declared: “Allah has inspired us to turn those whom He wills from being slaves to others into being slaves to Allah, and to guide us from the hardships of the world to its openness, and to invite the followers of other religions to Islamic justice.”
In some societies, there are people who have not properly understood the concept of freedom and cannot distinguish between Islamic freedom and Western freedom; this leads to unrealistic expectations from their governments.
Islamic freedom and Western freedom differ fundamentally in both their origins and their results:
1. Source of Freedom: Freedom in the West arises from the desires and selfish tendencies of humans. Their philosophy posits the originality of man and his desires as paramount, so much so that in this atheistic view, man should be free to do whatever he wishes. In this framework, freedom minus Allah and religion resembles an idol created from humanism and humanity’s delinquencies toward Allah. Here, human freedom and desire take precedence over religion, which is regarded as valuable only when it does not interfere with individual desires. In this view, government and law are based on the will of the people; individuals choose whatever laws and government they wish, and the role of the government and legislators is to ensure and preserve this type of freedom as much as possible.
Conversely, in Islam, the foundation of freedom lies in a monotheistic worldview. The essence of Islamic freedom is rooted in monotheism and exclusive servitude to Allah. Islam attributes inherent personality and value to humans, asserting that they are not slaves to anyone other than Allah. Anyone who accepts Islam and its principles acknowledges that a human being is free—a freedom manifested in both its moral and legal dimensions. Religious freedom in Islam is based on duty; individuals must obey Allah alone, follow His commands, and accept a government and system whose laws and rulers are determined by Allah. Absolute social and political freedom, in the sense that individuals may act as they please or enact any laws, does not exist. Evasion of duty and irresponsibility are indicators of barbarism and ignorance. In Islam, civilization and civility mean accepting duty, responsibility, and law-abidingness, whereas religious freedom signifies liberation from the bondage of slavery and rule by any other than Allah. The essence of Islamic freedom is liberation from the bondage of the self and servitude, while Western freedom equates to servitude to Satan.
2. The Nature of Man: In the Islamic worldview, man is endowed with numerous talents and has the potential for infinite spiritual and moral progression. By serving and obeying Allah, he gains dignity and value, opening all paths to perfection. Divine duties are, in fact, to guide man to his original right—the attainment of eternal perfection and happiness. On the other hand, the rejection of duty and freedom from servitude to Allah traps man in the confines of his ego, rendering him a follower of Satan. This confines him to his natural instincts and obstructs his path toward transcendence. Thus, the essence of Islamic freedom is liberation from the fetters of the ego and the captivity of servitude, while Western freedom equates to the captivity and servitude of Satan.
3. Path to Happiness: Freedom in Islam is a gift that enables man to choose his own path to happiness. Islam is a herald of freedom, liberating humans to pursue their happiness and perfection by removing obstacles and creating conducive environments. The Islamic ethos seeks to eliminate both internal obstacles (such as greed and following desires) and external obstacles (such as unjust governments and oppressive powers). Nothing enslaves a man more than lust. If a man becomes a captive of his desires, he is unable to do good or avoid actions that cause harm; this is the worst kind of captivity. Conversely, someone who achieves inner freedom through the light of religiosity will find it easier to perform good deeds and refrains from evil actions, with this inner freedom facilitating outer freedom. Western thought primarily focuses on external factors, such as the denial of dictatorial governments, to remove obstacles to freedom, yet it inadvertently nurtures human captivity by indulging desires and passions, paving the way for misery. This inner obstacle ultimately leads humans to humiliation in the face of tyrannical superpowers.
4. Sacrifice for Freedom: Since Western social freedom lacks a logical basis, few are willing to sacrifice for it. In contrast, Islamic freedom is a divine command; thus, every person feels compelled to accept it as willed by Allah. Additionally, they consider defending and fighting to protect this divine trust a religious duty.
5. Laws and Limits of Freedom: Another fundamental difference lies in the scope of laws and the limits of freedom. In practice, no society enjoys absolute freedom, and the existence of laws is essential for managing human interactions. Indeed, every law, by its nature, limits a certain type of freedom. In the West, laws primarily govern social issues, regulating society to allow individuals to pursue their maximum desires without conflict or interference. If someone succumbs to their desires and endangers their own or others’ happiness or interests in this world and the hereafter, there is no obstacle. Laws are not enacted to constrain this type of freedom, and legislators do not possess the right to do so. A society that views idolatry and following Satan as freedom is not aligned with Islamic teachings, which consider this servitude and the source of cruelty—not true freedom. Since Islam aims for the happiness and salvation of humanity, it seeks to prevent cruelty through legislation. Individuals do not have the right to jeopardize their own or others’ worldly or eternal interests. Therefore, Islamic laws are established to limit and direct human behavior in alignment with both worldly and hereafter interests and broadly encompass social and individual behaviors. Violating these laws—just like disregarding moral and individual laws—will lead to accountability in the hereafter.
Da’wah (Calling) to Implement Laws Is Not Against Freedom!
In relation to fellow humans, a person is free only when they are not coerced into fulfilling another’s desires. However, they are not free when it comes to what their essential interests demand. Any call to implement traditions, whether from a legal perspective or from an individual responsible for enforcing the law, does not equate to a deprivation of freedom.
Conclusion: Islamic freedom, in contrast to Western freedom, is a divine gift established on the principles of monotheism and servitude to Allah, alongside duty and responsibility. It removes external and internal obstacles, blocks the path to cruelty, and opens the doors to perfection and all human potentials. In Islam, there is a close connection between worldly life and the hereafter, where all actions and behaviors influence true happiness. The freedoms permitted or approved by Sharia, as well as the principles and rules that do not conflict with their application, are regarded as among the Objectives of Sharia. Prohibiting and preventing these freedoms not only causes embarrassment and hindrance to the general public but can also disrupt necessities.
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