Therefore...

Therefore, it must be noted that although the Lord has created man free in choosing a religion, he has explained to him the path of growth. “Indeed truth has been made manifest distinct from error.” (7) In view of the Islamic world vision, every belief of man in the Resurrection Day and purgatory is manifested in a special way. And man is a creature who is constantly travelling from the world to purgatory and from purgatory to the Hereafter.

In the meantime, apostasy and atheism are manifested in the shape of a snake and a scorpion. This shows that ill thoughts are equal to venomous poison. And it is obvious that the Lord does not allow a man to choose the poison and perish himself. In Qur’anic terms; such a person flames his soul as the devourer of unlawful things fill their souls with fire.

(8) In this regard, the Holy Qur’an states: “They eat nothing but fire into their bellies.” (9) It is clear that the Lord does not allow a man to have freedom in the choice of flower and fire or honey and poison. Religious freedom is never accepted in the Qur’an or by the Islamic culture. The Relationship between Life and Freedom In the Qur’anic view, freedom is the prelude to life. All the freedoms allowed to man are meant to induce man to lead a worthy life.

In order for man to achieve a worthy material and spiritual life, he should be free and in order to achieve freedom he should relieve himself from the bond of lust. All people are the hostages of their own conduct. Only those who are ranked among the upright and the believers shall be free from this bond. “Every soul for what it earned is held in pledge save the people of the Right hand.” (10) Now we should see how the upright people have relieved themselves of this bond.

The answer to this question can be found in the words of the holy Prophet which he delivered on the last Friday of the month of Sha’ban. “O people! Your lives are imprisoned by your conducts; so save your lives by repenting your deeds.” (11) So the genuine freedom of man lies in relieving himself of his sins by repenting and they may be ranked among the upright people by virtuous acts. This is freedom, which can be the prelude to original and sublime life.

NOTES: ________________________________________ 1. Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 96, chapter 7, p.58, tradition no.16 2. The Quran: Surah al-Haj 22:29 3. The Quran:Surah al-Baqarah 2:144 & 150 4. The Quran:Surah al-Baqarah 2:256 5. The Quran:Surah al-Kahf 18:29 6.