Freedom of Thought and Expression

FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION Islam provides for complete intellectual freedom for human beings. In fact, it was Islam that, for the first time in human history, brought about a revolution in this regard, ensuring that every person should have the freedom of thought. Prior to Islam, a system of coercion prevailed throughout much of the world. People were deprived of intellectual freedom. Freedom of thought and expression—or intellectual freedom—is far from a trivial matter. In fact, the foundation of all human progress lies in this very freedom. The first and foremost benefit of intellectual freedom is that it allows a person to attain that highest form of moral excellence which the Quran refers to as “fear of the unseen God” (5:94). This means recognizing God and living in reverence of Him by one’s own conscious choice, without any external pressure or compulsion. Such a profound spiritual experience—fearing God in the unseen—is only possible in an atmosphere of complete freedom. Without it, this deeply personal and elevated act cannot be truly realized, nor can an individual be credited with such a noble moral achievement. Freedom of thought is what safeguards a person from hypocrisy. Human beings are, by nature, reflective and reasoning creatures—their minds inevitably think, question, and form opinions. When freedom of expression is suppressed, thinking does not cease; rather, it is forced to