Of course, the self does not enjoy absolute and unlimited
freedom. Its freedom is circumscribed by the conditions under
which it lives. The world of fact checks and restrains its activities in
various ways and in various degrees. The self chafes under these
restraints. It flourishes only in an atmosphere of freedom. In a
highly regimented society its sphere of action may be subjected to
increasing shrinkage. Such a society discourages all kinds of self-
expression and curbs liberty of action. Under these conditions, the
self begins to languish. It can regain its vitality only by regaining its
freedom. The self burgeons, blossoms and fructifies in lofty
thoughts and noble actions only in an atmosphere of freedom.
Freedom is in the essence of the self and cannot be extinguished
under external compulsion. The self, however, feels cramped and
frustrated in a regimented and totalitarian society, or an “other-
directed conformism,” or system of religion. The State, whose
power has increased enormously in recent times, poses a serious
threat to the integrity of the self. It has been steadily and relentlessly
encroaching on the domain of the self. The individual’s freedom has
been seriously curtailed by the modern State, armed as it is with
scientific techniques of suggestion, propaganda and brain washing.
The government can now influence the individual’s mind to a
degree which was undreamt of in the past. It can control not only
man’s overt actions but his inner thoughts as well. In these
circumstances, the only citadel in which freedom can take refuge is
deen. It ensures complete freedom for self within the framework of
permanent values. Deen should, therefore, be defended at any cost,
as the region where man can still enjoy freedom and function as a
self and not merely as a cog in a machine.
- Again, the self as viewed by the Qur’an is not static. It
possesses infinite capacity for development. With its own efforts
(of course on the lines demarcated by permanent values), it rises to
higher and higher planes of existence. The Qur’an says, “Verily We
will raise you to higher and higher levels” (84:19). The self fulfils
itself by developing and actualising its potentialities. With death,
man does not cease to exist but passes on to a higher plane of
existence. The Qur’an has prescribed deen, or the way of life, which
fits man for the higher level. When man is elevated to the higher
level, he feels as if the gate of Heaven had been thrown open to him.
Islam: A Challenge to Religion 62