Perspective: Islam backs free speech | Qasim Rashid

---

The Quran 6:109 states, "And abuse not those whom they call upon beside Allah, lest they, out of spite, abuse Allah in their ignorance."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | USDesk
Source/Credit: USA Today
By Qasim Rashid | January 9, 2015

Islam stands on its own merits, not by the guns and steel of extremists.

Free speech is a fundamental Islamic tenet. So are the tenets of morality, wisdom, and goodly exhortation in speech.

Between the first attack on Charlie Hebdo and the latest hostage taking, I've spent days in media overdrive. Between a New York Times interview, an On Faith opinion editorial, a Fox News television segment, and a HuffPost Live interview, I've categorically condemned the horrific attack in Paris that left 12 innocent people dead.

A friend finally asked me if the cartoons mocking the Prophet offend me. "Yes," I replied, "but while finding something distasteful is one thing, killing over it is beyond unconscionable."

And this is why it is critical to make a distinction between protecting free speech and promoting moral and wise speech. Free speech purists raise the, "nothing is sacred" mantra. To an extent I agree — no idea is above criticism. But as human beings, we would benefit by asking what utility exists in insulting for the sheer sake of insulting?

Does it help build bridges of understanding with an opposing point of view?

Does it help build compassion from an antagonistic enemy?

Does it foster maturity among our youth as they grow up?

Insulting for the sheer sake of it does none of those things, but each of those things are vital to a progressive and peaceful society. This is why the Quran — while championing free speech for all people — prescribes Muslims to hold themselves to a higher standard. The Quranic standard of speech promotes independent thought while encouraging respectful disagreement. For example the Quran 6:109 states, "And abuse not those whom they call upon beside Allah, lest they, out of spite, abuse Allah in their ignorance."

Thus, Muslims are Islamically forbidden from reviling other's sacred religious sentiments. But the Quran yet continues. In 5:9 it adds, "…let not a people's enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just…" Thus, in situations like Charlie Hebdo, if the perpetrators felt the cartoons were unjust, their Islamic obligation was to maintain justice and not respond with insults, let alone violence.

The Quran 4:141 further confirms this principle, "…when you hear the Signs of God being denied and mocked at, sit not with those who indulge in such talk until they engage in a talk other than that…" Thus, the Quran neither permits retaliation with insults, retaliation with violence, nor isolationism. Instead, when discussing complex and sensitive ideas the Quran 16:126 admonishes Muslims to, "Call…with wisdom and goodly exhortation and argue with them in a way that is best."

In a sentence, Islam champions free speech while promoting a moral speech that obliges Muslims to attain a higher standard of wisdom.


Read original post here: Perspective: Islam backs free speech


This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Ahmadiyya Times.