FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND CRITICISM When it comes to freedom of expression and criticism, Islam not only adopts it among its principles, but calls for more than just ‘freedom’, making it an obligation to say, express, and criticize whatever relates to the interest of the community, general morals and public ethics. Within Islam, it is a religious duty to speak the truth, not fear anyone and act for the sake of Allah, and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. It is incumbent on you to call for the good, to encourage the good people, and reproach the wrongdoers. This turns a right into a duty on you when there is nobody else to do it, or when your silence will lead to general damage. In such case, you ought to shoulder your responsibility and speak the truth, heeding nothing in the way and fearing no mishap that might befall you as a result.

“Enjoin (people) for Al-Ma’ruf – (Islamic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allah, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily! These are some of the important commandments ordered by Allah with no exemption .” (Surat Luqman: verse 17).

This is the extent of Islam, since Islam rejects muzzling people so that they may only speak on permission and believe on command. One sees this in the story of Pharaoh when he asked his magicians indignantly: ‘Believe you in him (Moses) before I give you permission?’ ” (Surat Taha: verse 71) Such behavior and mentality is outrageous as he prevented people from holding a particular belief except on his agreement, and gagged everyone unless they had permission from high authorities!

Contrary to this, Islam has come to allow people to think freely, and even ‘orders’ them to do so. It permits people to believe in what they think is right. It makes it incumbent on them not to hold any belief they do not think is the right one. It obliges everyone believing in a certain creed to protect his or her creed, even with arms. It orders Muslims to defend the freedom of belief, and avert the outbreak offitnah ( internal strife) so that all and every kind of worship is for Allah alone. So, if such a situation arises, resorting to the use of arms will only be to protect freedom and preclude persecution so that there will be no coercion by anyone, as far as religion or creed is concerned.

The first Quranic verse on the lawfulness of fighting and Jihad in Islam, Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, says: “Permission to fight is given to those (i.e. believers against disbelievers), who are fighting them, (and) because they (believers) have been wronged...” (Surat Al-Hajj: verse 39). In the verse that follows Allah says: “... For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down... ” (Surat Al-Hajj: verse 40)

If it had not been for Allah giving humanity those believing Muslims who defended religious freedom and all other public freedoms - even with their swords - then no one would have been able to worship Allah on earth. No church, synagogue, mosque or any other kind of temple where the Name of Allah is mentioned would have remained.

This is Islam that has brought forth those liberties. But it must be known that Islam distinguishes between freedom of rights and freedom of disbelief, sinfulness and moral depravity. By no means does it refer to the kind of freedom that some people claim today, calling it “personal or private freedom”.

This is in fact a misrepresentation of things when they describe it in this manner. What they mean is that you are free to commit fornication or adultery, drink alcohol, and indulge in all possible crimes and sins, but when it comes to other things relating to the real interests of society, freedom is categorically denied. Their freedom means you are not allowed to express your beliefs on opinions freely; you cannot criticize; you cannot state the obvious.

On the other hand, you have “personal” freedom, which means that you are free to corrupt yourself, your morals, your ethics, your conscience, your worship, and your family. If this is what they mean by “freedom”, then of course Islam does not approve of it at all, because it is a freedom of sinning and not of exercising lawful rights.

The freedom Islam adopts is the freedom of thought, science and learning, opinion, criticism and free expression, as well as freedom of belief and religion. It is those kinds of freedom that represent the foundation for life. Equally important for people’s daily activities is the freedom of having a contract; dealing in money and taking appropriate action provided it doesn’t harm anyone; and owning anything under lawful conditions and restrictions without any kind of illegality.

There is a golden rule in Islam: there should neither be harm to the self, nor harm to others. So, any kind of freedom that leads to harm ought to be prevented and restricted, as your own freedom ends where others’ freedom begins. For instance, you are free to pass or drive in the street, but on the condition that you adhere to traffic laws. It will then be preposterous for you to run over passersby, crash into other cars or break traffic rules, under the pretext of freedom. Such restrictions such as stopping at a red light or driving on the correct side of the road are purely in the interest of the public.

By the same token, every religion and every system must involve such checks and controls; Islam is no exception. But what Islam has brought, however, has never reached any other civilization. It is the best way of life for humanity.

http://www.onislam.net/english/culture-and-entertainment/books/426020-islam-a-freedom-of-artistic-a-literary-innovation.html

http://300035.dotdothktrade.tech/en/artical/26837/islam-freedom-artistic-literary-innovation