Re: Compulsion
Question:-
The Quran tells us:- "There shall be no compulsion in religion." Quran 2:256
Does this ayah cover all forms of compulsion? What is your opinion?
Comment:-
The verse should be read as a whole. It says:-
"There is no compulsion in religion; the right way is henceforth distinct from the wrong. And whoso rejects Taghut (false deities) and believes in Allah, he has grasped a firm handle which will not break; but Allah is both Hearer and Knower." 2:256
The implication is that people should not be compelled or coerced or brainwashed but ought to follow the Truth, which is distinct from error. It should be an inner understanding and enlightenment. That alone can transform them and save them from suffering and destruction.
Islam requires religious tolerance, not just as a socially beneficial condition but also because it is psychologically beneficial. Islam is concerned with human development, with the creation of enhanced self-aware, self-regulating and responsible persons that can be truly called vicegerents. Oppression of all kinds is, therefore, forbidden and Muslims are required to fight it.
"But fight them until there be no more oppression (persecution or sedition) and that the Din (religion, faith, justice, the attitude and way of life) may be Allah's; but, if they desist, then let there be no hostility save against the unjust oppressors." 2:193
You cannot really convert people by forcing them. They may merely pay lip service to the religion or display outer conformity to it. Their actions are controlled from outside and not from within themselves. They do nothing positive from their own initiative. And if they are brainwashed this does not constitute understanding either.
Obviously, those who accept because they understand, follow the religion voluntarily. They are inwardly transformed and also make a difference to their environment. They do positive good and do not just behave negatively (avoiding some things).
We all have weaknesses and do fall victim to temptations or do things through ignorance, mistake or in a state of unawareness. So self-awareness, repentance, tolerance and forgiveness is also required. But where there is oppression there we find concealment and secrecy and excuses for doing wrong. Intolerance, persecution and compulsion are based on arrogance that destroys the very humility that Islam (surrender to Allah) requires and which makes learning and development possible. The arrogant suffer from the delusion of perfection and cannot learn.
However, laws exist to prevent people from harming others deliberately or setting bad examples to others. Someone, who has accepted Islam, and then flouts it deliberately, is setting a bad example and harming the Muslim community. They are, in fact, hypocrites, if they do not repent.
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