United Nations General Assembly in the 18th article of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.”

Also in the 19th article of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights freedom of expression is defined as follows: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” [1]

In this text, I would like to explore this article and find out to what extent it is right or wrong according to the Islamic viewpoint toward freedom of thought and freedom of expression.

The Mistake of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights puts freedom of thought and freedom of belief alongside each other. While there is a major difference between these two.

Murtaza Mutahhari emphasizes the difference between “thought” and “belief”. He argues that “thought is a potential caused by having intellect” and because every human being has intellect, and the potential to think about different issues, thus they think and “discover some truths about universe according to their talent”. [2] While he states that “belief might be based on human’s interest towards something” or “it might be based on following other people’s opinion”. But the true belief is “based on thinking”. He believes that most of the people shape their belief based on worldly interests. And there should be thoughtful people among them to guide them in their way of thinking and choices [3].

So, in his definition of thought and belief, he points out the mistake of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He concludes that people should have freedom of thought. Yet, about freedom of belief, unlike liberalism, Mutahhari states that “freedom is not the ultimate political goal to be respected under any condition”.

The main goal of freedom as he declares is to “reach perfection”. And if one’s belief is against his path towards perfection, then his belief needs an evolution, and should not be left alone to carry on his path towards adversity. [4]

Freedom of Thought in The Quran

There are more than 300 verses in the Quran that encourage people to think, such as: “Indeed We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may exercise your reason.” (12: 2), “[This is] a blessed Book that We have sent down to you, so that they may contemplate its signs, and that those who possess intellect may take admonition.” (38: 29), “Do they not contemplate the Quran, or are there locks on the hearts?” (47: 24).

Freedom of thought is also mentioned in the Quran in choosing the path of life where Allah says: “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.” (2: 256)

This verse clearly shows the importance of freedom of thought in the eyes of God, and the freedom to choose a religion. It is noteworthy that the Quran gives specific guidelines for finding the truth and recognizing wrong and right. As it is stated in the same verse; “So whoever disbelieves in idolatrous and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it.” (2: 256)

Also, Allah introduces His best servants in the Quran as those who listen to different types of opinions without any prejudice, and then follow the opinion that is closest to the righteous way: “…So give good news to My servants, who listen to the word [of Allah] and follow the best [interpretation] of it. They are the ones whom Allah has guided, and it is they who possess intellect.” (39: 17-18)

When Allah encourages people to find their religion based on intellectual thinking, he keeps reminding them at different points about what is beneficial and what is harmful to human growth.

Does Islam Limit Freedom of Thought and Freedom of Expression?

As stated above freedom of thought is encouraged in Islam as long as it does not lead people and society toward diversity. “The objective of speech and expression according to Islam is to build up love, tolerance, social harmony, and understanding among members in order to ensure a peaceful coexistence.” [5]

So, freedom of thought is permitted in Islam as long as it does not harm the society. There is a fundamental rule in Islam, to which other rulings must not be contrary. A Muslim should neither be harmed nor should he harm anyone else. When thoughts are harmful to people in the society, Islam limits freedom of expressing the thoughts that may create social disorder.

Conclusion

So far we discussed that The Quran invites people to think and choose their religion and belief accordingly freely. There is no force in choosing religion. Yet, freedom of belief and expression is not completely allowed according to that fundamental rule of Islam.

That is, a Muslim should not be harmed and nor harm others. Sometimes, one may not have enough information about a particular issue and as a result is not able to form an educated opinion or belief. Hence, if someone wants to express his/ her opinions that have no scientific or logical foundations, and may bring about doubt in ordinary people’s beliefs, Islam would stand against it and will not allow its expansion. [6]

Reference:

1. Human rights
2. Mutahhari, Murtaza, About Islamic republic, p. 92-3
3. Mutahhari, Murtaza, About Islamic republic, p. 97
4. Rostami, Mohammad. Andisheh Sadegh, vol. 6
5. Bhat AM (2014) Freedom Of Expression From Islamic Perspective. Journal of Media and Communication Studies 6: 69-77.
6. Kassem AS (2012) The Concept of Freedom in the Quran. American International Journal of Contemporary Research 2, p. 165-173.

1. The World in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s View

This world is a bridge, pass it and don't get attached. 

Sheikh al-Mufid, Al-Amali, p.43.

2. You Reap What You Sow

Everyone is after the reward [that comes at the end], and no one will get it except through hard work. 

Mizan al-Hikma, hadith no. 22083.

3. The Lasting Lights

Good for the ones who pray at the heart of the night; those are the ones who will inherit a lasting light. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.510.

4. Faithfulness in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s View

A tree is perfected only through giving fruit, as faithfulness is only accomplished through avoiding what is forbidden (Haram). 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.511.

5. Beware of Your Eyes

Be careful about what you are looking at since the mere act of looking [at something inappropriate] will put the seed of desire in your heart, which would later turn into a disaster. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.502. 

6. Most Cherished Ones

Good for the ones who make amends among people; those are the most cherished on the Day of Judgement.

 Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.501. 

7. Servants of This World

O' servants of the world! You are like a lamp that gives light to people and burns itself instead. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500324.

8. Modesty in Private and Public

As you present modesty and humbleness among people in public, be modest and humble with regard to God in private.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500325.

9. A Fruitful Heart in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s View

Verily, planting is only possible on arable land, not a barren one. Similarly, wisdom only grows in a humble and ready heart, not an arrogant and prejudiced one. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500332.

10. Practice Makes Perfect

Everyone looks upon the stars, but none finds his/her way using them, except the one who knows their places and how they work. Similarly, you will learn wisdom, but only the one who practices wisdom will be guided.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500336.

11. Inappropriate Words' Echoes 

Any offensive and inappropriate word that you say today will be responded later on the Day of Judgement.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500341.

12. Patience in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s Words

Water puts the fire out, just as patience calms anger down.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500347.

13. Perfect Faith as Jesus Christ (PBUH) Describes 

Water and soil are the determining factors for a good harvest, just as knowledge and manner are the keys to perfect faith. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500350.

14. Don't Be Just After this World 

The one who is only after this world is like a person drinking seawater; the more he drinks, the more he gets thirsty and finally will bring him death. 

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.149.

15. This World and The World that Is to Come

Jesus Christ (PBUH) said to the apostles: "As much as you get tired in this world, you will rest in the other world, and as much as you rest in this world, you'll get exhausted on the world that is to come."

Ismaiil Jawuhari Farabi, Al-Sahah, vol.1, p.225.

16. The Root of All Evil

Beware that the root of all evil lies in loving this world extremely. 

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.129.

17. Water and Fire

Loving this world and striving for the other world cannot come together in a believer's heart, as water and fire cannot be put together on a plate. 

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.131.

18. God's Friends 

If you want to be among God's friends and chosen ones, be kind to the one who does you wrong, and forgive the one who has done you an injustice, and greet the one who turns his face from you.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.503.

19. A Magnificent Person 

Whoever knows and brings what he knows into practice and teaches others, is considered a magnificent person in Allah's regard.

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.82.

20. The Most Wretched One

The most wretched among you is the one who is only known by his/her knowledge, not his/her deeds. 

Bihar al-Anvar, vol.2, p.52.