Pandangan Ulama Konservatif dan Ulama Progresif tentang Tafsir Ayat Lâ Ikrâh fî al-Dîn

The verse lâ ikrâh fî al-dîn has been one of the most contested verses with regard to its meaning and definition by the ‘ulama (religious scholars) from the past to the present. Basing on this verse, progressive ‘ulama maintain that the idea of freedom of religion introduced by modern society does not contradict the Qur’ân. For them, freedom of religion includes not only freedom to convert to Islam, but also freedom to convert from Islam. This view is rejected by conservative ‘ulama who argue that the meaning of the verse contains only freedom to convert to Islam, not to convert from Islam. If non-Muslims are free to convert to Islam, Muslims are not allowed to convert from Islam. Moreover, there are many ‘ulama who argue that the verse has been abrogated by other tens of verses which enjoin to fight against infidels and polytheists. After the revelation of ‘verses of war’ in the Qur’ân, the verse lâ ikrâh fî al-dîn becomes no longer legally binding