Oppression Is Not Allowed In The Religion

LESSON # 301 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Oppression Is Not Allowed In The Religion

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –256a of  286, Section –34 (Part - 3)

There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error.

Laaa  ‘ikraaha  fid-Diin.  Qatta  bayyanar-Rushdu  minal-Gayy.

Lesson

Laaa  ‘ikraaha – (there is no compulsion), this word has been derived from karhun. The deed which is not done by own will. But there is violence and forcibility in it. That is called ‘with repression and coercion’.

‘ad-Diini – (the religion), this word is used in two meanings:

·       Reward and punishment against goodness and badness, that is to say; exchange.

·       Way of life (manner of conception and action)

Here the word ‘ad-Diini is used in second meaning.

‘ar-Rushdu – (The right direction, guidance, admonition). Subject of this word is Raashid, which means ‘Guided’. In this verse the meaning of ‘ar-Rushdu may also be taken as Self Islam besides its common meaning as ‘the guidance’.

‘al-Gayy – (error), ‘G-W-Y’ is its Substance, ‘agwaa has also been made from it which means ‘to seduce,  to entice, to tempt, to mislead’. Here ‘al-Gayy aims error of infidelity and ascribing plurality to God Almighty.

Religious independence of Islam has been evident from this verse. Islam bestows power of choice regarding religion to each person. It doesn’t compel anybody to embrace Islam. Islam is the duty of believers to preach, but the fact that it doesn’t allow anybody to force someone into Islam and force to convert to Islam.

Complete history of Islam is witness on this fact that the Muslims never compelled their neighbours as well as subordinate public to embrace Islam. If it would be so then there would not be the temples and pagodas along with the mosques in sub-continent Indo-Pak. There would not be temples, churches, synagogues and non-Muslims’ places of worships under the shades of imperial forts in the capitals of Muslims’ sovereignty.

It should be noted thoroughly that it doesn't aim from it that any person is independent after embracing Islam, that he admits/believes in whatever he wishes and doesn't admit whatever he doesn't want.

While once someone embraced the religion Islam, now he would have to believe in all its orders and instructions. Now there is no question regarding choice of power or independence. The independence is only in embracing or rejecting the religion Islam, not in deeds. If (God forbid) becomes so, then any recognized position of the religion will not remain.

    

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’an published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif)