This is an important Islamic principle, Allah the Highest stated clearly in the Quran, and is also clear from the example of Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him.  Allah the Highest said in Sorah Al-Baqarah (the cow) “NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION, IT HAS BEEN CLEARLY DISTINGUISHED FROM THE WRONG, HE WHO DISBELIEVES IN EVIL AND BELIEVES IN ALLAH, HE HAS GRASPED THE MOST TRUSTWORTHY HANDHOLD, WHICH NEVER BREAKS AND ALLAH HEARS AND KNOWS ALL THINGS”   (S:2  A:256)

This Aiah gives us a very important principle in Islam which is that no one should be compelled or forced to follow a religion, Islam or otherwise. 

It is reported that this Aiah was sent down upon Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him in response to 2 incidents:

First; when the Jewish tribe of Bano Al Nadeer left Medina, some of the children of the Ansar who were the original Arab inhabitant of Medina adopted the Jewish faith, and wanted to leave with the Jews.  Their families wanted to stop them by force, and they asked Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him about this, and this Aiah was the answer.

Second; it has also been reported that a Muslim from the Ansar called Hassan had two children who were Christians and he was Muslim.  He asked Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him if he can force them to adopt Islam.  In an another narration they were leaving to Sham (Syria, Jordon, Lebanon) and he asked to send after them to get them back, as the Sham was a Christian country then.

All the above enforce each other, and the principle that no one should be compelled to adopt a religion.  In fact no one can in reality be compelled to have any particular faith.  Even if one adopts a faith on the surface, one can not have a real faith under compulsion.

The Muslims spread their state by force, but did not spread Islam by force.  In fact there were long times when in the Muslim state had more non-Muslims than Muslims.  And the Christians and Jews enjoyed freedom of worship and safety during these times under the Muslim rule as Islam instructs and commands the Muslims to do so. 

Dr.Ahmed Saafan

Consultant Psychiatrist, El-Zohour Hospital

31 St. No. 9, Mokatum, Cairo

5084881 – 5084882

aamsaafan@maktoob.com