Key Qur'anic Verses


2. Choice, not coercion

"Let there be no compulsion in religion;
Truth stands out clear from Error;
whoever rejects Taghut (evil) and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks;
and, God hears and knows all things." [2/al-Baqarah/256]

Note: The edifice of Islam is based on free choice, not coercion. If Islam is to become relevant once again, we have to recognize the foundation of free choice as we embrace Islam . Coercion may gain cursory compliance, but can never win the hearts of people who will disavow such cursory compliance at the very first opportunity.

a. All aspects of Islam are essentially applicable to the adults who are free to choose. Thus, our effort to culturalize Islam, that is, expecting our children and younger generation to automatically be Muslims, is preposterous and inconsistent with Islam. If I believe in Islam, I will try to practice and follow it the best I can. I will try to be an example for others and my own children; I will help my children understand Islam as they grow up, and I will help them understand why making choices are important, and the consequences of our choices. But it would not be appropriate for them to either dogmatically or blindly accept faith. They must affirm their own identity. That is why the first pillar of Islam is Shahadat, which we have rendered irrelevant and, as a consequence, Islam as a way of life is no longer dynamic for us.

When the children grow up and make choice not to our liking we must respect it, try to improve our guidance of them, and have faith for them. But every adult person of either gender must make his/her own choice. If such a choice is made freely and spontaneously, then the true message of Islam will be manifest and Islam may once again revolutionize the world. Also, instead of showing antagonism and rejection if one of our children makes a wrong choice, we need to show them greater love and empathy. That might be the only pathway for them to make amends; antagonism and rejection, on the other hand, would seal the door to such pathway for good.

b. Another topic where the issue of coercion has special relevance is the case of women in general and marriage in particular.

Women must be regarded and treated as full humans. They would stand before Allah and be accountable as full humans. This also requires a better understanding of gender relationship in Islam. Women are not to be dependent on men. Rather, true dependence should be mutual. Some western models suggest a push for such independence that women don't need men, and vice versa. The prevailing mode of Muslim societies is that women are not treated or allowed to develop as full human beings. Muslim men - and these days the Islamic scholarship is an exclusive domain of men - have become the sole arbiter of the lives of Muslim women. True Islam necessitates that women achieve the qualification of jurisprudents, establish themselves as scholars and policy-makers, and have their due share as part of Shura (consultation) to shape Islamic thought and guidance pertaining to all aspects of life.

To address a specific topic, among many Muslims it has become customary to force a specific bride or groom on their children. This is unIslamic. Yes, Islam prefers family involvement, particularly of parents, in a marriage decision, but that is a matter of consultation. The best marriages are those that come about with mutual consultation and agreement of the bride/groom and their respective parents. However, there is an Islamic limit. The final decision regarding any marriage decisively rests with the bride and groom. Any coercion in this regard is unIslamic and invalid. If parents understand their domain of rights and duties, and so do the children, then much of the related problems and tensions can be avoided. It is imperative, therefore, to educate both parents and children of their respective rights and duties. Adequately clarified pertinent laws need to complement such education.

c. Probably the biggest and broadest areas related to choice and coercion involve the role of the state. In light of the experience with Islamic law and their wrongful application, many Muslims as well as non-Muslims now have tremendous reservation about Islamic laws, or mixing political power with religious authorities. The pertinent issues need to be examined and taken into consideration with empathy and sensitivity. Many Muslims and non-Muslims who are afraid of a "religious" state may have good reasons to fear; not necessarily that they harbor an ill or prejudiced attitude toward Islam (admittedly, some may have ill or prejudiced attitude). Without properly addressing those issues, it would be impossible to persuade them in favor of Islam (before an Islamic society is established) and maintain the bond between Islam and people at a dynamic level (after such a society is established).

The experience of Iran and Afghanistan in the twentieth century plays very important role in shaping the attitude of a lot of people toward Islam. I must admit that personally, from observing some aspects of contemporary experience I am very uncomfortable, and observing some other aspects, especially, in case of Afghanistan under the former Taliban regime, appalled. Islam is NOT a police state and, as such, NOT to be pushed down anyone's throat: that stands patently against Islam. In some cases, particularly in the context of Talibani Afghanistan, even enemies of Islam could not do any better in alienating Muslims from Islam, let alone non-Muslims.

Islam envisions authority or government that is constitutional, participatory and accountable to people. Under normal and mature condition, an Islamic government would use the least power, authority and coercion. An Islamic authority does have executive power, but must use it judiciously. Islam has already limited such authority in a balanced manner. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be adequate appreciation of this among Muslims, let alone non-Muslims. The government in an Islamic society does not pry into people's lives: no "religious police" in Islam! It does not fill up jails with those who do not pray or fast, does not beat a lady who does not wear a scarf or some strands of whose hair are exposed. If the government makes people do these because of the power and authority of government, then how much is the persuasive value and attraction of Islam? How is it then that the "Truth stands out clear from Error"? Sooner or later, such coercive actions would be undone by those who are coerced.

Yes, in a nascent society based on Islam, like in any society in its formative stage, some authoritative power to shape the values and norms of the society is indispensable. For example, in a drug-infested society, there might be sterner action or exercise of power against the drug-traders. But such power cannot be abusive, for example, to suppress the political opposition; otherwise, it would simply be counter-productive.

d. People should be allowed to choose their faith. If someone wants to choose another faith, Islam should not get in the way. It is a gross misunderstanding and distortion of Islam that a person giving up the faith in Islam needs to be punished.

Also, there needs to be fresh articulation of the rights of non-Muslims in an Islamic society. Both at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (s) as well as after him, there were many non-Muslims who desired to migrate and live in that society. We have to understand why. An Islamic society is a pluralistic society. Traditional viewpoints on issues such as Jizya, political participation and right to hold office, need to be re-examined. Please read Islam and Freedom, a Jumuah Khutba, where I mentioned:

"... if we value freedom, it can't be just for us. We have to value freedom for others too, even though sometime we may find certain ideology, religion or philosophy utterly disagreeable. At the very first sign of someone criticizing or vilifying Islam, we can't demand such person's head or try to drive him or her out of our neighborhood or of this planet.

As Muslims need to recognize the importance of freedom, and struggle for it at all levels, they also need to recognize the challenge of conceiving a model of a society where not merely the freedom of Muslims becomes an exclusive concern, but also the freedom of others."  

The bottom line is that Islam is based on the paradigm of choice, not coercion or autocracy. Those who understand, advocate or push for their version that is not consistent with this fundamental value of Islam are contradicted by this key verse in the Qur'an. Furthermore, Muslims have a major challenge (as I articulated in Fundamental Challenges facing the Muslims: a concept paper) to reshape their society that meets this value of freedom and choice in accordance with Islam. 

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