حرية الاعتقاد في الإسلام بين مفهوم النص والخطاب الديني المعاصر / عبدالله أحمد مبارك باوادي

Abstract

The researcher, through his research and study about (Freedom of Belief in Islam between the Literal Understanding of the Text and the Contemporary Religious Discourse), has addressed three main issues included in the chapters of the study: in the first chapter, he addressed the concept of freedom of belief between the literal understanding of the concept and the contemporary religious discourse, where he discussed the definition of (freedom of belief) in the literal understanding of the concept, and mentioned few important guidelines in defining the concept of freedom of belief in the religious texts (Sharīah). Then, he concluded that freedom of belief, in the religious technical terminology, is not to compel (someone) into Islam. This includes the freedom of non-Muslims to retain his religion and practice his religious rituals in Islam's soil in return of paying taxes to the Islamic state. Then, he proceeded to discuss the concept of (freedom of belief) in the contemporary religious discourse. He mentioned three contemporary trends in this regard which are: the trend of absolute acceptance which calls for absolute freedom of belief for Muslims and non-Muslims; the trend of absolute rejection which outlaws this terminology; and the trend of moderation and reconciliation which calls for accepting the freedom of belief for the non-Muslim, and rejecting it for the Muslim in terms of apostasy. In the second chapter, the researcher addressed freedom of belief for the Muslim in apostasy from the literal understanding of the concept, as well as for some Islamic thinkers who refute the punishment for apostasy and call for freedom of belief for the Muslim in apostasy. Moreover, the researcher has, after discussion and using the legal texts and the consensus of Muslim scholars and Islam's sects, proved the punishment for apostasy which is death. In the third which is the last chapter, the researcher addressed the freedom of belief for the non-Muslim in the Islamic society in terms of clarifying the Islamic ruling in his freedom of choosing and changing religion, freedom of building churches and worship houses on Islam's soil, freedom of opinion and expressing his/her religion and belief and calling people into it, and freedom in religious discussions and teachings. Moreover, the researcher, in the course of his study and research, has followed the approach of induction, analysis and comparison between the literal understanding of the concept and the contemporary religious discourse with regard to the three issues: the concept of freedom of belief, freedom of belief for the Muslim in apostasy, and the freedom of belief for the non-Muslim in the Islamic society. Hence, the researcher has come out with numerous findings and recommendations at the end of the research.