Freedom of Religion in Qur'anic Perspectives: the Inclusive Interpretations of Contemporary Muslim Scholars

This article discusses the interpretations of Tabataba'i, Sayyid Qutb and Quraish Shihab on the verses of religious freedom in the Qur'an. Freedom of religion is a principle now accepted by almost all religious communities as a universal norm. As stated in the Qur'an, it includes both internal and external freedom. Its guarantee can be categorized from a theological and sociological perspective. Theologically, it is seen basically from the absence of compulsion in accepting a religion, the freedom to choose a religion or belief, the prohibition of faith under a compulsion, and no power which can force ones to accept a religion. Sociologically, it is seen in ethical relations and social interaction among religious followers, tolerance and peaceful living, and the respect for religious plurality. Tabataba'i and Shihab's interpretations of religious freedom show their consistency in upholding the principle of openness and appreciating the reality of diversity as an indisputable socio-theological fact. While Qutb, his interpretation of the internal freedom of religion is inclusive, but his view of the people of the book (ahl al-kitab) is exclusive, since it is limited to the period before Muhammad's prophethood. This seems to reflect the general attitude of Islamic fundamentalist activists, not to mention the Muslim Brotherhood as a prototype of new Islamic fundamentalism in the modern era. The interpretation of three Muslim scholars on religious freedom can serve as a normative basis for building harmony in diversity in the contemporary era. The inclusive interpretations of Tabataba'i, Qutb, and Shihab on the verses dealing with the freedom of religion can serve as a normative basis for building harmony in diversity in the contemporary era