Teachings of Islam

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Teachings of Islam

The principle of non-coercion mentioned in the Quran (2:256) has not been confined to religious freedom alone. Rather, it has been extensively elaborated upon and widely applied to all social, cultural, and political spheres of society. This has led to the development of a new culture in which individuals enjoy freedom of expression, dissent and criticism without any fear or restriction. Two examples may suffice to explain to what extent this essential human right was observed in earlier Muslim societies.

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Teachings of Islam

Religious freedom is the basic human right whose violation has caused conflicts, wars and bloodshed in both ancient and modern societies. The Quran, therefore, has declared for the first time in human history:

“There shall be no coercion in matters of religion.” (2:256)

“O people! Behold, we have created you from a male and a female; and we have made you into tribes and sub-tribes, so that you may recognize one another. The most honourable among you, in the sight of God, is he who is the most righteous among you. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (49:13)

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Teachings of Islam

According to Islam, all human beings have been created by one and the same God, and for this reason belong to one great brotherhood. So far as their earthly origin is concerned, they are all descendants of the first pair of human beings ever created by God — Adam and Eve. In their subsequent spread over different parts of the world, variations in geographical conditions produced a diversity of skin colourings, languages and other racial characteristics.