The issue of freedom has always been among the most important concerns of human social and political life throughout history. Freedom is regarded as one of the fundamental aspirations and natural needs of human beings. However, throughout history, this right has been taken away from people in various ways through different internal and external obstacles.
In Islam, individual and social freedom occupies a special position. Likewise, in the Islamic political system, one of the fundamental principles is freedom within the framework of Sharia.
Some Orientalists, and following them, some uninformed individuals who do not have a proper understanding of Islam, have accused this religion of being full of prohibitions, restrictions, and limitations. The response to this claim is that the reality is quite the opposite, because, according to this view, the freedom found in Islam is not available to such an extent in any other religion or system.
For example, countries such as France and the United States claim to provide broad freedoms. However, if the laws of these countries are examined, there are numerous restrictions and limitations in areas such as travel, immigration, raising children, and family affairs. Such restrictions exist in all countries, whereas Islam does not impose such restrictions. Islam never tells you:
Where to live
Where to go
How to travel
When to travel
Rather, Islam explicitly states that Allah (SWT) created you and granted you intellect, knowledge, and the ability to think; therefore, do not become a slave to others. Islam does not require you to obtain government permission for movement, residence, or matters related to imports and exports. However, goods that are exported or imported must not be among those things that Allah (SWT) has prohibited.
In other words, Islam provides us with guidelines and instructions, which, when followed, lead a person to happiness and success. If they are disregarded, they result in loss in this world and the Hereafter.
Islam and Freedom of Expression
Does Islam accept freedom of expression? If so, to what extent?
There is no doubt that Islam supports freedom of thought and opinion and has consistently demanded evidence and proof from its opponents: «قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ» [Al-Naml: 64] Translation: “Say, ‘Produce your proof, if you are truthful.’”
Allah (SWT) also commanded the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) to invite his opponents toward the truth through reason, argument, and gentle speech: «ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ» [Al-Nahl: 125] Translation: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and debate with them in the best manner.”
Allah also asks people to listen to what is said and follow the best of it: «فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ * الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ» [Al-Zumar: 17–18] Translation: “So give good news to my servants, those who listen to what is said and follow the best of it.”
In general, freedom of expression contributes to the development of ideas and the expansion of thought. Therefore, freedom of thought is also of fundamental importance. A person should be able to think in a genuinely free environment, because freedom of expression has no meaning without freedom of thought.
Since the concept of freedom is an authentic Islamic concept, the idea that it was adopted from the West is considered incorrect. Of course, absolute and unrestricted freedom is not accepted in any religion or school of thought. Even those who claim to support such freedom, in practice, impose certain restrictions on human freedom. For example, in some countries there are even restrictions on freedom of expression concerning events such as the Holocaust.
In Islam, freedom of expression is accepted only to the extent that it remains within the framework of reason, morality, and the interests of society.
First: The Difference Between Freedom of Expression and the Freedom to Mislead Others
Whether a statement is misleading or not depends on the circumstances of society, including:
The level of public awareness and knowledge
The environment in which different opinions are presented
Therefore, the circumstances in which a false statement is made are different from its actual influence. Some false statements are not necessarily misleading in every circumstance; however, if a statement causes people to become misguided, Islam regards it as impermissible and seeks to prevent its dissemination.
If a speaker, under particular circumstances, makes a statement that causes a group of people to become misguided, this is also prohibited in Islam, because freedom in Islam is intended for the development of thought, guidance, and the advancement of society, not for misguidance. Freedom that results in intellectual deviation will ultimately lead to stagnation and backwardness in society.
In other words, Islam provides us with guidelines and instructions, which, when put into practice, lead a person to happiness and success; if they are ignored, they result in loss in this world and the Hereafter.
The Difference Between Islamic and Western Freedom
Freedom is regarded as one of the fundamental values of human beings. However, this concept has acquired a particular meaning in contemporary culture, and it appears that its modern form has largely emerged from the social developments of Europe over the past several centuries.
Islam also brought a message of freedom and emphasized it. This concept is beautifully expressed in the statement of Ribiy ibn Amir (RA) addressed to Rustam: “Allah (SWT) has sent us to bring whoever He wills from the worship of servants to the worship of Allah (SWT), from the narrowness of this world to its vastness, and from the oppression of religions to the justice of Islam.” [1]
In some societies, there are people who have not properly understood the concept of freedom and cannot distinguish between Islamic and Western freedom. As a result, they have incorrect expectations of government.
Islamic freedom and Western freedom are presented here as fundamentally different in their basis and consequences:
Western Freedom
In the West, freedom is presented as arising from human desires and inclinations. According to this view, human desires are the fundamental basis, and a person should be completely free to do whatever he wishes. In this perspective, human-centered values replace religion and God, and freedom becomes an absolute value.
Islamic Freedom
In Islam, freedom is based on Tawhid and servitude to Allah. Islam honors human beings and considers them servants of Allah (SWT) alone, not servants of other people.
In an Islamic society, freedom means liberation from servitude to human beings and submission to divine law. Therefore, absolute freedom without responsibility or law is not accepted in Islam, because such freedom would lead to disorder and ignorance.
