عربي
Home


Articles

Articles

Freedom of Expression and its Limits in Islam
Author : Dr. Mohammad Al-Hunaiti
Date Added : 22-12-2021

Freedom of Expression and its Limits in Islam

 

Islam has allowed a Muslim to speak their mind and the texts of Sharia (Quran and Sunna) are replete with answers to many questions and worries so as to prevent minds from getting lost and thoughts from going astray. In other words, these texts have covered every thought and idea that could cross man`s mind regarding the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, worldly life, and what accompanied its creation and that of man who is entrusted with promoting growth and prosperity on the earth.

Moreover, Sharia has defined the relationship between man and his Creator, his fellow man, and the components of his environment. By doing so, it drew up a road map for man`s limits concerning his freedom of expression. Although Islam has safeguarded this freedom, it is governed with checks and balances to prevent encroaching upon the freedoms and rights of others. The evidence on this is that Allah The Exalted Says (What means): "O ye who believe! Fear God, and (always) say a word directed to the Right." He The Almighty Says (What means): "O ye who believe! Fear God and be with those who are true (in word and deed)."Here, a Muslim is commanded to speak the truth and avoid lying, since it undermines the structure of any society in which it spreads and rumor is a clear example of the latter.

The same applies to backbiting, slandering, and mockery. Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong." He also Says (What means): "O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it...But fear God: For God is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful."

Therefore, it isn`t permissible for a Muslim to mock or backbite others under the pretext of freedom of expression. Asma' Bint Yazid (May Allah Be Pleased with her) reported that the Prophet, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him, said: "Shall I tell you who is the best of you?" "Yes" they replied. He said: "Those who remind you of Allah when you see them." He went on to say, "Shall I tell you who the worst of you is?" "Yes: "they replied. He said: "Those who go about slandering, causing mischief between friends in order to separate them, and desiring to lead the innocent into wrong action."

Freedom of expression doesn`t mean mocking the beliefs of others for it was never reported that the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) or his companions have ever done so. However, they did explain to non-Muslims-using wisdom and fair preaching-that the true religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. Thus, in Islam, a good word is a Sadaqa (Charity) as Allah's Messenger (Blessings and peace be upon him) said:..."……. a good word is also Sadaqa, and every step taken on one's way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque) is also Sadaqa and to remove a harmful thing from the way is also Sadaqa." [Al-Bukhari]. However, a good word can`t be a Sadaqa if it is used to mock or belittle others. Therefore, the freedom of expression is embodied in whatever safeguards the dignity and rights of others and doesn`t negate Allah`s commands and prohibitions. The Messenger of Allah (Blessings and peace be upon him) said: "… and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent. "Moreover, freedom of speech doesn`t mean taunting, cursing, abusing or doing indecent acts. The Messenger of Allah (Blessings and peace be upon him) said: "A true believer is not involved in taunting, or frequently cursing (others) or in indecency or abusing."

Thus, a Muslim is granted a certain space to speak his mind, make constructive criticism, make reconciliation amongst people and give advice. Our role model in this regard is Abu Bakr (May Allah Be Pleased with him) who succeeded the leadership of the Muslim community as the first Rashidun Caliph. In his inaugural speech, he said: "Obey me so long as I obey Allah and His Messenger, so if disobey Allah and His messenger then you owe me no obedience."

However, a Muslim is granted this freedom under the condition that he doesn`t encroach upon the freedoms and rights of others. In the Last Sermon, also known as the Farewell Pilgrimage-after praising and thanking Allah-the Prophet (Blessings and peace be upon him) began with the words: "O People! Just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim a sacred trust. "Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales. Do not look for other's faults. Do not spy one another, and do not practice Najsh (means to offer a high price for something in order to allure another customer who is interested in the thing). 

Do not be jealous of one another and do not nurse enmity against one another. Do not sever ties with one another. Become the slaves of Allah, and be brothers to one another as He commanded. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He should neither oppress him nor humiliate him. The piety is here! The piety is here!" While saying so he pointed towards his chest. "It is enough evil for a Muslim to look down upon his Muslim brother. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in Faith: his blood, his wealth and his honour. Verily, Allah Does not Look to your bodies nor to your faces but He Looks to your hearts and your deeds." And All praise is due to Allah The Lord of The Worlds.

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

Article Number [ Previous | Next ]

Read for Author




Comments


Captcha


Warning: this window is not dedicated to receive religious questions, but to comment on topics published for the benefit of the site administrators—and not for publication. We are pleased to receive religious questions in the section "Send Your Question". So we apologize to readers for not answering any questions through this window of "Comments" for the sake of work organization. Thank you.




Summarized Fatawaa

Is a person who is in a state of Janabah (major ritual impurity due to having a marital intercourse, ejaculation, menstruation, and post-delivery impurities) sinful if he/she goes about his/her daily life activities in that state i.e. without making Ghusl (ritual bath)?

It goes without saying that a Muslim should always be in a state of ritual purity so as to be able to perform prayers and recite Quran. It is from Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) that a Muslim hastens to make Ghusl from Janabah, but he/she is not sinful in case he/she delayed that provided that he/she doesn`t miss prayers. However, it is permissible for him/her to go about their daily activities while in a state of Janabah, but had better bathe in order not to miss any prayer.

What is the waiting period ('Iddah) for a woman whose husband has passed away, and what is the ruling on her wearing gold?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The waiting period ('Iddah) for a woman whose husband has passed away is four months and ten days for one who is not pregnant. As for a pregnant woman, her waiting period lasts until she gives birth. It is obligatory for her to remain in the marital home, only leaving for a necessity. During this time, it is prohibited (Haram) to display any form of adornment on the body or clothing; this includes wearing kohl, gold, all types of perfume, and dyeing the hair. Likewise, it is prohibited to receive a direct marriage proposal or to marry during this period.
 
It was narrated by Umm 'Atiyyah that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'We were forbidden to mourn for a deceased person for more than three days, except for a husband, for whom the mourning period is four months and ten days. During this time, we were not to use kohl, nor wear perfume, nor wear dyed clothing except for garments made of 'Asb (coarsely dyed yarn). We were, however, granted a concession at the time of purification—when one of us bathed following her menses—to use a small amount of Kust (costus) or Azfar (fragrant substances). We were also forbidden from following funeral processions.' (Narrated by Al-Bukhari). And Allah the Exalted knows best."

If a woman becomes pure from menstruation shortly after Fajr in Ramadan, what is required of her?

If a woman becomes pure (from menstrual period) after Fajr, even shortly after, it is recommended (but not obligatory) for her to refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day. However, she must make up for that day after Ramadan.
She will be rewarded for both refraining from eating (imsak) and making up the fast (qada) since she was menstruating for part of the day.

The Jurisprudential Significance of the Ḥadīth: "Whoever says, at the conclusion of the Fajr Prayer, while crossing his legs, before speaking..."
"Whoever says, at the conclusion of the Fajr prayer, while crossing his legs, before speaking: 'Lā ilāha illā Allāh, waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-ḥamdu yuḥyī wa yumītu wa huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr' ten times — ten good deeds will be recorded for him, ten bad deeds will be erased from him, he will be raised ten levels, he will spend that day in protection from everything disliked and guarded from the devil, and no sin will be able to befall him on that day except associating partners with Allah" — does this noble ḥadīth apply to the imam, and what is meant by "extraneous speech"?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is recommended for both the imam and those praying behind him to recite, immediately after the final salām, the specific remembrance reported in the sunnah to be said before turning away from one's place of prayer. The imam then leaves his praying spot, and the act of "turning" is fulfilled when the imam faces the congregation — even without physically leaving his spot — by positioning his right side toward them and his left side toward the qiblah, and this applies even while he is engaged in supplication.
Al-ʿAllāmah Ibn Qāsim al-ʿAbbādī states in his Ḥāshiyah ʿalā al-Tuḥfah (Vol.2/P.105): "It is most virtuous for the imam, once he has given the salām, to rise from his place of prayer immediately afterward." He adds that an exception must be made for the remembrances that are specifically required to be recited before he turns away. He then notes, citing Sharḥ al-ʿUbāb: "Yes, an exception to this rising immediately after the salām applies to the Fajr prayer, due to the authentic report that the Prophet ﷺ, when he prayed Fajr, would remain seated until the sun rose." He further cites, from al-Khādim, the ḥadīth concerning one who recites, at the conclusion of the Fajr prayer while still in the position of crossing his leg to rise: "Lā ilāha illā Allāh, waḥdahu lā sharīka lah..." and the rest of the well-known ḥadīth. He comments that this makes explicit that this particular remembrance is to be recited before the worshipper turns his legs to leave, and the same applies to Maghrib and ʿAṣr, as reported in those contexts as well.
What is meant by "speech" in the relevant ḥadīth is extraneous worldly speech that is not called for after the prayer and for which there is no legitimate excuse. The remembrances reported to be recited upon concluding the prayer, however, do not fall under this category of extraneous speech, since they are themselves required by the sharīʿah.
Al-ʿAllāmah ʿAlī al-Shabrāmalsī states in his Ḥāshiyah ʿalā al-Nihāyah (Vol.1/P.551): "If someone greets a person with salām while he is occupied with reciting this remembrance [i.e., 'Lā ilāha illā Allāh...'], should he return the greeting — without this causing him to forfeit the promised reward, since he is engaged in an obligatory matter — or should he delay returning the greeting until he finishes, this being a legitimate excuse for the delay?" He continues: "I say: the more likely view is the former, and the prohibition on speech is to be understood as applying to extraneous speech for which there is no legitimate excuse. Based on this, should the worshipper give precedence to this remembrance ('Lā ilāha illā Allāh...') or to reciting Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ ('Qul huwa Allāhu aḥad')? This requires consideration, though it is not unlikely that the remembrance takes precedence, given that the Lawgiver urged hastening to it through his words 'while crossing his leg.' This is not considered ordinary speech, since it is not extraneous to what is required after the prayer."
Accordingly, it is recommended for both the imam and those praying behind him to recite this remembrance and to give it precedence over the other remembrances of the prayer, ensuring it is said before they move from their place. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

See More