What is freedom?
After much reading, contemplating and thinking, I chose to define freedom as:
Freedom is to do and say what a person wishes but in a respectful manner and without transgressing the rights of others.
One can say and do as he wishes but with two main conditions. The first condition is not to hurt others. Your freedom ends if the sayings and actions hurt people and transgress their rights as assumed or agreed upon within the society. The second condition is to observe basic manners in discussion and criticism. This definition applies to all aspects of freedom like the freedom to move, freedom to travel, freedom of expression and freedom of thought and ideas.Almost every society, however primitive they may be or were, has rules, regulations, customs and laws that guide societal behavior. These regulations and customs also protect the rights of others. Thus, no individual has the complete freedom to simply do as he wishes while he hurts and transgresses the rights of others in his society. He also must abide by basic manners and moral guidelines as determined by his society.
The closest example of a society which the people claimed to have the right to do whatever they pleased without regard to manners or transgressing the rights of others, was the society of Saddum during the time of Prophet Lut (AS). They used to commit all kinds of evil, particularly sodomy, in open view of others.
(We also sent) Lut (as an apostle): behold, He said to his people, "Do you do what is shameful and you see? (Al-Naml; 27-54)
"Do you indeed approach men, and cut off the highway?- and practice wickedness (even) in your councils (meeting places)?" (Al-Ankabut; 29:29)
They transgressed all boundaries when they all tried to break into the house of Prophet Lut (AS) lusting for his handsome looking guests, who were actually Angels in the guise of men.Now fear Allah, and cover me not with shame about my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?" (Hud; 11-87)
The people of Saddum were without doubt the most evil people on earth. Allah (SWT) attributed all the bad characteristics to these people. In fact, they despised Prophet Lut (AS) and his daughters and wanted to cast them away giving the reason, But his people gave no other answer but this: they said, "Drive out the followers of Lut from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!" (Al-Ankabut; 29:56). For these evil people, Lut (AS) and his daughters were too clean and good to be part of their dirty and evil society. They had no manners, no regard or respect for others. Finally they were completely destroyed in a most severe manner.Thus there cannot be complete freedom for an individual living with others in a society or community. He is free to move, speak and do things provided he observes some manners and respect the rights of others in his society.
Freedom of Religion
When we ponder upon Al-Quran, there are so many verses that overwhelmingly convince us that Allah (SWT) has granted freedom of choice for the most basic issue in religion; to believe in Him (SWT) and His chosen religion. The great scholar of Tafseer, Imam Ibn Katheer, summarizes by saying, It is not part of Allah's decree to compel Belief and collects together the following verses of Al-Quran when providing his commentary on this verse in Surah Yunus.
And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together. So,will you then compel mankind, until they become believers.
It is not for any person to believe, except by the leave of Allah, and He will put the Rijs on those who do not reason. (Yunus; 10:99-100)
Similarly, Allah (SWT) said:
(And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah, but they will not cease to disagree. Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His mercy and for that did He create them.
And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled (His saying): "Surely, I shall fill Hell with Jinn and men all together.'') (Hud; 11:118-119)
He (SWT) also said,(Have not then those who believed yet known that had Allah willed, He could have guided all mankind) (Ra'd; 13:31)
Therefore, Allah (SWT) said: (So, will you then compel mankind and force them to believe? (until they become believers.? ) meaning, it is not for you to do that . You are not commanded to do that either. It is Allah Who (sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills.) (Fatir; 35:8).Your duty is only to convey, and it is up to Us to reckon. (Ra'd;13:40)
So remind, you are only one who reminds. You are not a dictator over them. (Al-Ghashiyah; 88:21-22)
