THE RELIGION OF HUMANITY: Islam’s Ethical and Spiritual Outlook

FREEDOM OF THOUGHT The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘By God, yes.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 63) This incident involving the Prophet of Islam demonstrates that in an Islamic society, everyone has the right to ask any question, even to the greatest of individuals. One is also free to speak in a stern tone. The person being questioned should not become angry but should answer calmly to every question. UNRESTRICTED FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION There is a verse in the Quran (5: 107) which discusses the matter of inheritance: If it turns out that both prove dishonest, two others should take their place from amongst those whose rights have been usurped and let them swear by God, saying, “Our testimony is indeed truer than the testimony of these two. And we have not been guilty of any misstatement for then indeed we would be transgressors.” There is a difference in the recitation of the word al-awliyan in this verse. Hasan read it as al-awwalan (the two first ones), while Ibn Sirin read it as al-awwalan (the first ones in general). (Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Vol. 6, p. 359) On one occasion, Ubayy ibn Ka’b recited this verse according to his own recitation, which differed from that of the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab. When Umar