GOD GIVES HUMAN FREEDOM OF BELIEF
Faith is confidence, or trust in a person or thing [1]. The essence of religion is faith in God, and the basis of faith is the approval of the heart. No one can be made to have confidence or trust in something through coercion because the heart must willingly accept it. The heart is the inner realm where individuals are fully free. Even the most authoritative regimes cannot force someone to believe or trust in something if their heart is unwilling. Coercion only leads to hypocrisy, which the Qur’an strongly criticizes. The 256th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah emphasizes that there is no room for coercion in religion:
“There can not be any type of coercion in religion. Facts are made distinct from fiction. Whoever rejects the transgressors and trusts in God, certainly has held onto the firmest handle, which never breaks. God is all-listening, all-knowing.” (al-Baqarah 2:256)
This verse underscores a fundamental principle in an Islamic society: No coercion in religion!
GOD PROHIBITS COMPELLING OTHERS TO BELIEVE
No one is allowed to force anyone to follow God’s commands, and neither was Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In the Quran, God decrees Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to communicate His verses to people and then let them decide on their own:
“We know well what they say. You are not a dictator over them. So, inform those who fear My promise of the Quran (that the Day of Judgment and Hereafter are the truth).” (Qaf 50:45)
FORCING RELIGIOUS RITUALS ON OTHERS IS NOT ALLOWED
Accordingly, no one can force a person to practice religious rituals. The only duty is to communicate the Qur’an’s message in a way people can understand, allowing them to make their own choices. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never forced people to fast, pray, cover their hair, or perform any other religious practice. Indeed he said: “Actions are (judged) by motives (niyyah), so each person will have what they intended” [2].
So, a true Islamic law has no place for enforcing beliefs or practices. Trying to impose religious practices on people would only end up creating hypocrites, which is more harmful to believers than having honest non-Muslim groups in a society.
LEAVING ISLAMIC FAITH IS NOT A CRIME TO BE PUNISHED IN THE WORLD
Belief, denial, or apostasy are people’s choices. People live in this world according to their choices and they die someday. Their case is ruled on the Day of Reckoning.
Although some traditional resources claim that the punishment for apostasy is the death penalty, the verse below refutes this claim. This is sound evidence that due to apostasy, nobody would be killed during Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) lifetime. Otherwise, these people would not even dare act as stated in the verse:
“A group of the Experts in the Book says: “At the beginning of the day (say that you) believe in what has been sent down to those who believe, and at the end of the day reject it (become kafir). Perhaps they also return (from their belief).” (Al-e Imran 3:72)
The freedom to announce one’s disbelief would be the pinnacle of the freedom of expression that God could give humans, and obviously, He has given it.
COMPULSION IS NOT NATURAL, RECOMMENDATION IS.
The upright religion is the combination of natural law and the laws of nature:
“So set your face duly and steadily to that religion, the natural order (fitra) set by God. He has created humankind in compliance with it. There is nothing to substitute for what God creates. That is the upright religion, but most people do not know.” (Ar-Rum 30:30)
If God sets people free to believe or not, then compelling others to attain the faith is not a natural behavior. Yet, everyone needs God’s verses to live a happy life and has the right to learn the wisdom in God’s Books. So, informing people of God’s verses and recommending good manners is a natural part of life. That is why God commanded Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to keep on telling people about God’s verses:
“Likewise, no messenger came to those before them, but they said, “A magician, or a madman.” Did they pass it down among themselves? In fact, they have been a transgressing people. So, distance yourself from them; you are not to blame. Yet continue to remind (the verses), for the reminder benefits the believers.” (adh-Dhariyat 51:52-55)
God describes believers as people who encourage good deeds, and discourage bad deeds:
“The believing men and women are allies of one another. They enjoin righteousness, forbid evil, establish prayer, give zakat, and obey God and His Messenger. These—God will have mercy on them. God is Mighty and Wise.” (Al-e Imran 3:104)
So, encouraging good deeds and discouraging evil deeds is natural. Otherwise, people, even those with authority could cause corruption on the earth, which God dislikes:
“Whenever they hold a position of authority, they endeavor to disturb the order of earth and to destroy resources and to exterminate nations (progenies). God does not like corruption.” (al-Baqarah 2:205)
For this reason, we are responsible for recommending the good, but we cannot force people to behave accordingly.
CONCLUSION
Everyone is free to believe or deny God’s verses and to practice or skip the duties God has assigned them. People adopt their lifestyle according to these choices. As long as their choices do not harm others or disrupt the balance in nature or society, we have no right to compel others to believe or exercise their religious duties.
[1] http://www.wordreference.com/definition/faith
[2] 40 Hadith Nawawi, 1
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