Islamic Freedom The Sh:!

Islamic Freedom The Sh:!a believe that freedom is one of the fundamental goals of Islam; for Alla>h sent his noble Prophet Mu9ammad (N) to: ePut off their heavy burdens and the fetters that were upon themf42 The Muslim then has full freedom to express his/her opinion in speech and in writing as well as full freedom in his/her social contracts, to travel, to marry, and to trade.

This wide scale freedom which Islam gives to its people prepares the practical and psychological climate for success in its efforts so that the Islamic society grows and flourishes. For this Islam, firstly, combats the four causes of backwardness which are: Ignorance.

Islam works to make education general by making learning compulsory as in the tradition: ‘The seeking of knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman.’43 Islam also encourages the learning of different sciences as in the tradition: ‘If the people knew the benefits of seeking knowledge they would seek it even by crossing the seas and shedding one’s blood.’44 Also amongst many other traditions it is said that: ‘The Angels lower their wings to the seeker of knowledge [in humility before them].’45 Poverty.

Islam prohibits idleness, prevents unemployment, and encourages those who are able to work to do so and makes the State responsible for those who are incapable of work. Illness. In Islamic Law there are many laws which are there to prevent and cure many diseases. Furthermore Islam actively promotes medicine to be widely available. In the traditions: ‘Knowledge is of two types – knowledge of religion and knowledge of bodies (i.e. medicine).’ Vice.

Islam bases society in a way that no-one is forced to commit vices and puts in place preventative punishments – under stipulated conditions – for those who do. Secondly, Islam works to promote peace and stability so that there is an environment for the flourishing of industry, trade, agriculture, and construction.

Islam also frees up all powers & energies to take part in encouraging growth: it frees up human potential since it makes marriage easy and prohibits adultery, it strengthens the pillars of the family and encourages a high birth rate so that the Islamic nation may be the largest as well as the most powerful.

It also sets free the potentials of land and water for ‘the land belongs to Alla>h and whoever develops it’46, and water belongs to whoever stakes it off and uses it, and any Muslim can develop or plant what land he/she is able to.