(C) Islam & Freedom of Thought
Islamisafirmsupporterofrationalargumentandfreedomofthought.
Impositionofideas orbeliefs, orthe stiflingof voices doesnotexistin
Islam.TheQur'ānsays:Thereisnocompulsioninreligion[because]the
truthhas becomeclearfrom theerror. (2:256)InIslam,investigationof
thefoundationsofbeliefsisadutyforeveryindividual,anditisanob-
ligation for everyonenot to acceptanything without proof. Islam cen-
suresthosewhoblindlyfollowthebeliefsoftheirfathersandancestors,
andcommendsself-investigationanddeepexamination.Itrejectsfeeble-
mindedness and vain speculation, and urges only to the perusal of
knowledge and certainty. The Qur'ān says: And pursue not that you
haveno knowledge of;the hearing, the sight, the heart —all of these
shallbequestionedof.(17:36)Islamgrantsitsopponentstherighttoset
forth their queries in reasonable discussion and to enumerate their
proofsandlistentotheanswers.Say,“Produceyourproof,ifyouspeak
truly.”(2:111)ThiswasthereasonthatmanyJews,Christiansandthose
fromothergroupswhotookastandagainstIslam,cametotheProphet
or the Imams, and sat down and discussed their religious ideas.