In Surah al-Mā’idah (5:48), Allah says: لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ For each [community] among you, We had appointed a code [of law] and a path, and had Allah wished, He would have made you one community, but [His purposes required] that He should test you in respect to what He has given you… This verse beautifully captures Islam’s attitude toward diversity — not as a cause for division, but as a field for cooperation and moral excellence.
While explaining the meaning of the verse, Allamah Ṭabāṭabāī, writes: “The meaning of this verse is then as follows, and Allah knows better: For each nation from among you We have laid down and legislated a different law and distinct way; if Allah had pleased, He would have made you (creatively) a single nation and legislated for you a single set of law. But He has laid down for you different laws in order to test you in what He has given you of various favours.
This difference in favours demanded a difference in test (which in their turn) gives rise to divine laws and legislations. Naturally, there was a difference in various laws [5] .” One of the most direct expressions of this principle is found in Surah al-Baqarah (2:256): لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ There is no compulsion in religion: rectitude has become distinct from error. This verse establishes freedom of belief as a moral and spiritual right.
It underscores that faith must emerge from conviction, not coercion. In this regard, Allamah Ṭabāṭabāī writes: “There is no compulsion in the religion,” negates and disapproves compulsion and coercion in religion. Religion is a set of truths, which are believed in, and some of them are then acted upon. In short, religion is belief and faith; it is a matter of conscience, and such a thing cannot be created by coercion and compulsion.
One may force someone to do a certain physical action against his will, but he cannot be forced to believe against his will. Belief follows reason and understanding, and nothing but reason and understanding can create it. [6] ” Another essential verse comes from Surah Yūnus (10:99): وَلَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّكَ لَآمَنَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا ۚ أَفَأَنتَ تُكْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتَّىٰ يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ Had your Lord wished, all those who are on earth would have believed.
Would you then force people until they become faithful?