FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Fundamental and Sacred
FREEDOM of expression is one of the fundamental rights of human beings. Governmental as well as non-governmental organizations have taken it upon themselves to make sure to cultivate such environment where it is conducive and safe to exercise the right to freedom of expression.
Amnesty International mentions this on its website: You have the right to say what you think, share information and demand a better world. You also have the right to agree or disagree with those in power, and to express these opinions in peaceful protests.
Exercising these rights, without fear or unlawful interference, is central to living in an open and fair society; one in which people can access justice and enjoy their human rights.
In Islam, freedom of expression is allowed in the last degree possible. Only one thing is taboo, and that is physical harm. Otherwise you are free. If you use only words, and you are expressing your differences in harsh terms, it is allowed, unless you use harm. What is forbidden in Islam is physical harm. Freedom of expression is allowed, there is no restriction at all.
In Islam, freedom of expression is allowed in the last degree possible. Only one thing is taboo, and that is physical harm.
There is a very interesting reference in the Quran in this regard. When God Almighty created Man, at that time there were two creatures, jinns and angels. So God Almighty ordered that those two, the jinns and angels, must bow before Adam, before Man. ‘When your Lord said to the angels, ‘I am putting a successor on earth,’ they said, ‘Will You place someone there who will cause corruption on it and shed blood, while we glorify You with Your praise and extol Your holiness?’ (2: 30)
It was clearly a dissent. The angels showed dissent, and God allowed that dissent. God justified his act by showing the basic wisdom behind God’s creating a new creature. He never said that you have no right to differ from my reason. In this way, God Himself has established a precedent that everyone has the right to freedom of expression.