This article is intended to
show that Islam recognises complete freedom of religion and belief for every
human being, and that, consistently with this principle, it does not prescribe
any punishment whatsoever for a person who leaves the religion of Islam to adopt
some other faith.
No Compulsion in Religion
The Holy Quran altogether excludes compulsion from the sphere of religion. It
lays down in the clearest words:
“There is no compulsion in religion — the right way is indeed clearly distinct
from error.”— 2:256
In fact, the Holy Quran is full of statements showing that belief in this or
that religion is a person’s own concern, and that he is given the choice of
adopting one way or another. If he accepts the truth, it is for his own good,
and that, if he sticks to error, it is to his own detriment. Some quotations to
this effect are given below:
“The Truth is from your Lord; so let him who please believe and let him who
please disbelieve.” — 18:29
“We have truly shown him the way; he may be thankful or unthankful.” — 76:3
“Clear proofs have indeed come to you from your Lord: so whoever sees, it is for
his own good; and whoever is blind, it is to his own harm. And I am not a keeper
over you.” — 6:104
“If you do good, you do good for your own souls. And if you do evil, it is for
them.” — 17:7
The duty of the Messenger of ALLAH, and, following him, the duty of every Muslim
is only to deliver the message of truth and no more. This is indicated in the
Holy Quran in passages of the following kind:
“If they accept Islam, then indeed they follow the right way; and if they turn
back, your duty (O Prophet) is only to deliver the message.” — 3:20
“And obey ALLAH and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away, the duty of Our
Messenger is only to deliver the message clearly.” — 64:12; see also 5:92
“Say (to people): Obey ALLAH and obey the Messenger. But if you turn away, he is
responsible for the duty imposed on him, and you are responsible for the duty
imposed on you. And if you obey him, you go aright. And the Messenger’s duty is
only to deliver (the message) plainly.” — 24:54
“O people, the truth has indeed come to you from your Lord; so whoever goes
aright, goes aright only for the good of his own soul; and whoever errs, errs
only to its detriment. And I am not a custodian over you.” — 10:108
“Surely We have revealed to you (O Prophet) the Book with truth for people. So
whoever follows the right way, it is for his own soul, and whoever errs, he errs
only to its detriment. And you are not a custodian over them.” — 39:41
“We have not appointed you (O Prophet) a keeper over them, and you are not
placed in charge of them.” — 6:107
“Your duty (O Prophet) is only the delivery of the message, and Ours (God’s) is
to call (people) to account.” — 13:40
The Quran tells us that it is in the natural order of things that while some
people believe others do not, and no human being can or should apply compulsion
to others in this regard. The Holy Prophet Muhammad is told:
“And if your Lord had pleased, all those who are in the earth would have
believed, all of them. Will you then force people till they are believers?” —
10:99
All nations are addressed as follows:
“For everyone of you We appointed a law and a way. And if ALLAH had pleased He
would have made you a single people (or one religious community), but that He
might try you in what He gave you. So vie one with another in virtuous deeds. To
ALLAH you will all return, so He will inform you of that wherein you differed.”
— 5:48