Analysis of Freedom of Ideas and Speech from the Perspective of the Verse in Quran “there is no force in religion”

• Main Author: Seyed Hosein Hoseini Karnami
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Allameh Tabataba'i University Press 2014-01-01
• Series: Āfāq-i Dīn
• Subjects: Quran; No force in Islam; freedom of speech; freedom of ideas; Ertedad
• Online Access: http://rjqk.atu.ac.ir/article_2087_2c2d1cb6b0ada11cf8c4b31c6448639c.pdf

The holy verse of “There is no force in religion’’ as a strategic principal in the developed system of Islam was put forward for interaction with other religions. Therefore, research about this verse will solve many problems in executing the verdicts of Islam. This study aims at finding issues raised about this verse and interpretations about it. This paper first discusses definitions and applications of concepts of Ikrah, Deen, Ghai, Roshd, etc,in this holy verse. In another section the paper discusses interpretations existing about this verse and divides them into three categories: it is concluded from the interpretations that religion is the trust and confession from the bottom of heart and will not be accepted by force as it only need logic to be accepted, and it is valueless if it is accepted by force. Regarding the difference between this holy verse which shows freedom of idea and the verdicts about Ertedad (freedom of speech) this paper clarified the difference between freedom in thinking, freedom in idea, and freedom in speech and found a distinction between them. Authors believe freedom in ideas is not limitless and absolute and has limitations and rules such as thinking. Freedom of speech also has limitations. This study found the hanging of an outcast in Islam is in no disharmony with freedom of speech and freedom of idea in Islam, as in an Islamic system an outcast will be treated only if they have propaganda and plot against Islam and this is likened to the treatment of spies in Liberal systems.