IIUM MALAYSIA : islamic Aqidah

1. CONCEPT OF FREEDOM OFCONCEPT OF FREEDOM OF
RELIGIOUS BELIEFRELIGIOUS BELIEF
 According to Islam, every child is born with a goodAccording to Islam, every child is born with a good
nature (fitrah).nature (fitrah).
 Refer to 91: 1-10Refer to 91: 1-10
““And by the soul and He who purified it! Then He inspiredAnd by the soul and He who purified it! Then He inspired
to it (the ability to understand) what is good for it and whatto it (the ability to understand) what is good for it and what
is evil for it. Successful is he who purifies his soul andis evil for it. Successful is he who purifies his soul and
failure is he who corrupts it”.failure is he who corrupts it”.
The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “ every child is born with theThe Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “ every child is born with the
believing nature (fitrah), it is his parents who make himbelieving nature (fitrah), it is his parents who make him
Jew or a Christian”.Jew or a Christian”.
From Islamic point of view, faith in God is ingrained inFrom Islamic point of view, faith in God is ingrained in
human nature. It is only the parents and the society thathuman nature. It is only the parents and the society that
corrupt the soul and divert it from the right path.corrupt the soul and divert it from the right path.

2.  Besides fitrah, Allah has provided us with variousBesides fitrah, Allah has provided us with various
means to know Him and to believe in Him. He sentmeans to know Him and to believe in Him. He sent
prophets, books, and above all He created thousands ofprophets, books, and above all He created thousands of
signs in the universe which reminds us of Him.signs in the universe which reminds us of Him.
 Can we force non-Muslims to believe in Islam???Can we force non-Muslims to believe in Islam???
 Forcing people to believe in our religion or to adopt itsForcing people to believe in our religion or to adopt its
forms of belief is completely contradict to the essenceforms of belief is completely contradict to the essence
and spirit of Islam.and spirit of Islam.
 According to Islam, true faith is only possible withAccording to Islam, true faith is only possible with
freewill, freedom of conscience, and commitment.freewill, freedom of conscience, and commitment.
These would be meaningless if induced by force.These would be meaningless if induced by force.

3.  Muslims can call, invite or perform da’wah withMuslims can call, invite or perform da’wah with
specific manners, not by means of force.specific manners, not by means of force.
 We are living in the multi religious/ cultural world,We are living in the multi religious/ cultural world,
therefore, we need to be tolerant.therefore, we need to be tolerant.
 Islam is a religion which provides and guaranteesIslam is a religion which provides and guarantees
freedom of thought.freedom of thought.
 It forbids tension, disputes, slander, and even negativeIt forbids tension, disputes, slander, and even negative
thinking among people.thinking among people.
 It strongly opposed to terrorism and all acts ofIt strongly opposed to terrorism and all acts of
violence.violence.

4.  In the history of Islam, there was no a single case where aIn the history of Islam, there was no a single case where a
nation or even an individual person was forced to acceptnation or even an individual person was forced to accept
Islam under compulsion.Islam under compulsion.
 Upon migration to Madinah, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) hadUpon migration to Madinah, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) had
encouraged cooperation and solidarity among all habitantsencouraged cooperation and solidarity among all habitants
of Madinah which comprised Muslims, Jews, Christiansof Madinah which comprised Muslims, Jews, Christians
and others.and others.
 The Prophet (p.b.u.h) had done the agreement of MadinahThe Prophet (p.b.u.h) had done the agreement of Madinah
Constitution, which ensured a complete freedomConstitution, which ensured a complete freedom
(including freedom of worship), equality, and justice for(including freedom of worship), equality, and justice for
all.all.
 In another incident, the Christian leaders and learned menIn another incident, the Christian leaders and learned men
from Najran had an instance debate with the Prophetfrom Najran had an instance debate with the Prophet
(p.b.u.h) about Islam’s views towards Christianity during(p.b.u.h) about Islam’s views towards Christianity during
the early Madinah period.the early Madinah period.

5.  When they satisfied with the explanation given by theWhen they satisfied with the explanation given by the
Prophet (p.b.u.h), they concluded a treaty.Prophet (p.b.u.h), they concluded a treaty.
 In the treaty, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) pledged to protectIn the treaty, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) pledged to protect
their religious rights and to preserve their worshiptheir religious rights and to preserve their worship
places provided they too had to respect to Islam andplaces provided they too had to respect to Islam and
Islamic state.Islamic state.
 Since the time of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) until now,Since the time of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) until now,
Muslims always brought a method of freedom andMuslims always brought a method of freedom and
tolerance.tolerance.
 Within multi national/religious society, IslamWithin multi national/religious society, Islam
guarantees that all ethnic and religious groups haveguarantees that all ethnic and religious groups have
been free to live according to their own religions andbeen free to live according to their own religions and
their own rules.their own rules.

6.  The freedom of religious belief is only intended for aThe freedom of religious belief is only intended for a
person or society who is outside the fold of Islam- non-person or society who is outside the fold of Islam- non-
Muslims.Muslims.
 If a person is a Muslim, he is NOT allowed to apostate.If a person is a Muslim, he is NOT allowed to apostate.
 Islam does not allow apostasy or irtidad because it isIslam does not allow apostasy or irtidad because it is
equal to treason.equal to treason.
 In Islam, the concept of treason is not only limited toIn Islam, the concept of treason is not only limited to
political and military affairs, but also has a spiritual andpolitical and military affairs, but also has a spiritual and
cultural dimension to it.cultural dimension to it.
 Open rejection of the fundamental beliefs of Islam by aOpen rejection of the fundamental beliefs of Islam by a
Muslim is an act of treason.Muslim is an act of treason.
 Even the terms used by the shari’ah for apostates giveEven the terms used by the shari’ah for apostates give
the idea of treason.the idea of treason.

7.  Apostate (murtad) can be divided into two types:Apostate (murtad) can be divided into two types:
i)i) Murtad FitriMurtad Fitri
- A person who was born from Muslim parent, and then- A person who was born from Muslim parent, and then
he rejects Islam.he rejects Islam.
- Fitri means nature or natural.Fitri means nature or natural.
- The term murtad fitri implies a person has apostateThe term murtad fitri implies a person has apostate
from his nature, the nature of believing in God.from his nature, the nature of believing in God.
ii) Murtad Milliii) Murtad Milli
- A person who converted to Islam and then later on he- A person who converted to Islam and then later on he
rejects Islam.rejects Islam.
- Milli is from millat which means community.Milli is from millat which means community.
- The term murtad milli implies that the person hasThe term murtad milli implies that the person has
apostate from his Muslim community.apostate from his Muslim community.
 In the first case, the apostasy is like the treason againstIn the first case, the apostasy is like the treason against
God whereas the second case is like the treason againstGod whereas the second case is like the treason against
the Muslim community.the Muslim community.

8.  In conclusion, the concept of freedom of religious beliefIn conclusion, the concept of freedom of religious belief
is only to non-Muslims.is only to non-Muslims.