Free Speech, Inclusiveness And Democracy In The Koran

Its the second last day of the fasting month. Our area is a mess. There is no law and order. He who pays and he who is paid rules the streets. Money talks. 

Anyway just some RUMI-nation  for a Saturday.  There are numerous verses in the Quran that advocate and guarantee freedom of speech, total freedom of faith, inclusiveness and democracy. Here is a short list of three verses :

39:18  ‘They are the ones who listen to all views, then follow the best. These are the ones whom Allah has guided; these are the ones who possess intelligence.’ 

To decide their affairs the Muslims are told to listen to all views and then to follow the best thereof. You cannot listen to all views unless there is freedom of speech. The Muslims must therefore guarantee freedom of speech. 

This has been a Quranic injunction for over 1400 years now. It goes without saying that people can only express their views freely if they are unmolested and given the space to speak. This is reiterated in the following verse :

Surah 58:11  ‘O you who believe, if you are told, "Please make room," you shall make room for each other to sit. Allah will then make room for you. If you are asked to get up and move, get up and move. Allah raises those among you who believe, and those who acquire knowledge to higher ranks. Allah is fully Cognizant of everything you do’.

‘You shall make room for each other to sit, Allah will then make room for you’ ; ‘if you are asked to get up and move, get up and move’. This is not only  social etiquette but there is a higher philosophy here calling the Muslims to be considerate for other people and to be inclusive. 

Far from being the misfits that they have become as a result of mullah indoctrination, these Quranic teachings will make Muslims highly regarded and highly sought after  neighbours and members of society.

Finally in the affairs of governing ourselves the Quran suggests a democratic way of choosing our leaders.

4:59  ‘O you who believe, you shall obey Allah, and you shall obey the messenger, AND THOSE PRECEDING IN AUTHORITY FROM AMONG YOU. If you dispute in any matter, you shall refer it to Allah and the messenger, if you trust in Allah and in the conclusion of all things. This is better for you, and provides you with the best solution’.

AND THOSE PRECEDING IN AUTHORITY FROM AMONG YOU(oolil amri min kum). The words ‘from among you’ indicates an element of volunteerism ie the society has to decide for itself and choose leaders from among its members. 

So all these three verses taken together ie 

i.   the Muslims must listen to all views and then choose the best (39:18)

ii.  the Muslims must be inclusive and create space for other people (58:11) 

iii. and they must choose leaders from among themselves (4:59) 

clearly indicates a democratic, progressive and highly intelligent society. 

The West has latched on to these Quranic teachings for the past few hundred years. The three verses above describe the modern West. They are the most Islamic countries in the world today.

In contrast in Iraq and Syria the Khalifah of the Daulah Islamiyah just blew up a very old historical masjid. He says he did not like that mosque.

In Malaysia some people are collecting money to pay Kiki's fine. Oh well.