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Title Freedom of Expression in Islamic and Contemporary Western Thought: (A Comparative Study)

Author(s) Riaz Saeed

Abstract Freedom of expression is considered as one of the most throbbing issues of the contemporary sociopolitical and socioeconomic global scenario. Accordingly, all modern constitutions, organizations and charters including, ECHR, UDHR and IDHR promote and give it much importance. However, Islamic and Western thoughts have some swear variances on this significant issue. It is observed that the modern Western thought is the representative and advocate of absolute freedom of expression. Contrary to this, Islamic thought accepts and grants freedom of speech, but binds this important right with some moral, social and religious values. Islam considers freedom of thought and expression as a fundamental human right because it appeals human sociology and nature. From an Islamic perspective, freedom of speech is not only a right but also an absolute duty of a Muslim. According to Islamic standpoint, Allah (God) grants this right of free speech due to human dignity, honor and free thinking. Moreover, Islamic concept about freedom of speech has some limits to save the society from its negative impacts, i.e. harming to others, defamation, chaos and conflict, etc. It is also noticed that the lenient international laws about religious defamation and hate speech are the basic hurdles to eradicate religious blasphemy and hatred speech. For instance, different articles of the ICCPR, UDHR and ECHR advocate maximum liberty of expression without strong limitations and reasonable interference. Therefore, these legal constraints and parameters are insufficient in this regard because the freedom of speech is unlimited and legal restrictions are either partial or nonexistent. Moreover, it is not easy to prove them on local and international forums. In spite of the presence of laws, the so-called racial discrimination and religious blasphemy have become the most dangerous and lethal weapon against minorities in the West, especially, against Islamic values and the Muslim community (Ummāh). Thus, the blasphemy of the Prophet of Islam صلى الله عليه وسلمhas becomes a fashion under the banner of freedom of speech. Lack of international laws about religious defamation is major root cause of this new trend. That is why; majority of Muslim and small number of Western scholars consider it in association with the historical rivalry between Islam and the Western world. This study presents an account of analysis on the issues of freedom of expression and speech from the contemporary Islamic and Western perspectives. This study conveys that the absolute right of freedom of speech has a strong association with religious defamation, Islamophobia and blasphemy. As well as, Modern international laws are inadequate to illuminate these hostile activities up till now. Keywords: Freedom of speech, Contemporary era, Islamic and Western thought, Comparative Study

Type Thesis/Dissertation PhD

Faculty Social Sciences

Department Islamic thought & Culture

Language English

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