Echoing the observations of Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, ‘rights’ or huquq in Islam refers to something which is right, true, correct, proper, etc. ‘Freedom’ or ikhtiyar means a choice for the good or better. So it is neither one’s right nor is it freedom to choose something evil, false, wrong, incorrect, imperfect, etc. Religiously, morally and legally, man has no right to do wrong.
Nevertheless, there are feeble confused Muslims around. They may be the result of improper or inadequate education, the lack of exposure to the more comprehensive teachings of Islam. And due to worldly temptations, this weakness causes their religious foundations to become shaky. Certain converts who embrace Islam for practical or utilitarian purposes, like marriages or for certain socio-political privileges, may fall into this situation. Apparently, their common feature is a lack of knowledge and understanding of Islam. So if one insists on adopting the aforementioned wrong conception of ‘rights’ and ‘freedom’, one is actually exposing one’s own shameful ignorance! Sadly, certain people just don’t have any shame anymore!
For a convert, before he/she becomes a Muslim, no matter for what reason(s), it is only reasonable that he/she must have a certain degree of basic knowledge about Islam. He/she must take efforts to study the fundamentals of the religion first. This is actually his/her responsibility and duty. Take note that rights do not come out of vacuum. They are accompanied by certain responsibilities and duties. For example, before one can exercise one’s right or freedom to buy a car of his choice, one must first obtain a driving license. Without that document, he/she will only endanger himself as well as others perhaps with fatal consequences. He/she cannot scream to be given the right or freedom to buy if the requirement of responsibility is not fulfilled beforehand.
Muslims must understand, inter alia, that once they come into the fold of Islam, there is no question of leaving the faith or reverting to one’s earlier belief even if the very reason for one to come to Islam in the first place ceases to exist, or later becomes a burden. One may be a bad or a non-practicing Muslim, but there’s hardly any room available for one to denounce that religion. This is the more accepted position of Islam.
One cannot argue that Islam does not recognize the idea of freedom of worship. First and foremost, the very doctrine of Islam, as reflected in the Holy Qur’an, teaches that there’s no compulsion. Once one is a Muslim, there’s no excuse for one not to abide by its teachings. Another reading of the verse suggests that for those already born Muslims, they must understand that they too must practice the religion sincerely without any element of force or coercion. Otherwise, all their actions become meaningless.
Freedom of worship, therefore, is to be understood not only in the sense of making a choice for the better, but also in the sense of freedom to practice a particular religion. Once one accepts Islam or decides to become a Muslim, he/she is subjected to all the rules and regulations prescribed by the religion. If Islam forbids apostasy, not only the Muslims must observe it, but the followers of other religions that do not have such provisions, must appreciate and respect this position as well. Islam must be allowed to apply and enforce its teachings without unnecessary interference. This is actually the freedom of worship that must be perceived by all. This explains the importance of having correct knowledge or understanding before ones makes any vital decisions or evaluations in one’s life.
