❖ Islam vs. Western Ideologies: A Comparative Study of Freedom, Equality, and Tolerance ❖
✍ By: Dr. Zahid Mughal
In Islam, absolute individual freedom is not endorsed. According to Islamic teachings, a human being is essentially a servant ('abd) of Allah.
Freedom is considered merely a means—a resource—that enables a person to choose between good and evil. However, the authority to define good and evil belongs solely to Allah.
✔ Islamic Goal: The ultimate purpose is servitude, not freedom as an independent value.
✦ Western Concept of Freedom:
In contrast, the Western notion of freedom grants the individual the right to define good and evil for themselves. For them, the greatest virtue is for every person to do whatever they desire, according to their own standards.
✔ Islamic Equality:
Islam does not advocate for equal status for all regardless of their character. Instead, it grants superiority based on piety and righteous deeds. Those who live according to Allah’s guidance are held in higher esteem.
✦ Western Equality:
The Western view promotes equal value for all beliefs and lifestyles, regardless of whether they are moral, religious, or secular.
In this system, every decision and viewpoint is considered equally valid.
✦ Western Tolerance:
Tolerance means accepting all actions, even if they are morally objectionable. Criticizing or attempting to stop such actions is viewed as contrary to democratic values.
✔ Islamic Tolerance:
Islam rejects this understanding.
Every Muslim is obligated to stop evil as per the Hadith:
“Whoever among you sees an evil must stop it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; and if not, then with his heart—and that is the weakest level of faith.”
(Muslim)
Verse (Al-Baqarah: 256) is often cited to support absolute freedom of belief, but its true meaning is that no one should be forced to accept Islam, not that religious laws do not apply within an Islamic state.
✦ Misuse:
Modern Muslim thinkers and Western scholars often use this verse—out of context—to promote complete freedom and tolerance.
✔ Islamic View:
Non-Muslims are permitted to practice their personal religious rituals, but are prohibited from spreading disbelief or engaging in political activism against the Islamic system. This is to protect society from the spread of false ideologies.
✦ Western View:
In the Western system, every form of expression or propagation is allowed, even if it contradicts societal morals or religious values.
✔ Islamic Peace:
True peace in Islam is achieved through the implementation of Shari’ah. Real prosperity and salvation come only under the Islamic system.
✦ Western Peace:
In the West, peace means allowing individuals to live as they wish, regardless of the impact on collective morality or spiritual well-being.
✔ Islamic Principle:
Islam does not allow the propagation of any ideology that may lead people toward misguidance or eternal loss.
Its objective is to safeguard the society from all forms of ideological corruption and deviation.
✦ Western Freedom of Expression:
Western liberalism places no restriction on any form of religious or non-religious preaching.
✦ Fallacy of Globalization and Interfaith Cooperation:
Many modern Muslim thinkers believe that in a globalized world, Muslims must collaborate equally with non-Muslims.
However, Islam holds that only Islam is the true path, and all other ideologies lead to misguidance.
✔ Islam as a Complete Way of Life:
Islam is not just a religion—it is a comprehensive system of life, encompassing worship, morality, politics, economy, and social order.
The fundamental difference between Islamic and Western ideologies of freedom, equality, and tolerance is this:
Thus, the Islamic system calls for submission to divine guidance, while the Western system promotes individual autonomy, even at the cost of collective moral and spiritual degradation.
✍ By: Dr. Zahid Mughal
➊ The Concept of Individual Freedom in Islam
In Islam, absolute individual freedom is not endorsed. According to Islamic teachings, a human being is essentially a servant ('abd) of Allah.
Freedom is considered merely a means—a resource—that enables a person to choose between good and evil. However, the authority to define good and evil belongs solely to Allah.
✔ Islamic Goal: The ultimate purpose is servitude, not freedom as an independent value.
✦ Western Concept of Freedom:
In contrast, the Western notion of freedom grants the individual the right to define good and evil for themselves. For them, the greatest virtue is for every person to do whatever they desire, according to their own standards.
➋ The Islamic Concept of Equality
✔ Islamic Equality:
Islam does not advocate for equal status for all regardless of their character. Instead, it grants superiority based on piety and righteous deeds. Those who live according to Allah’s guidance are held in higher esteem.
✦ Western Equality:
The Western view promotes equal value for all beliefs and lifestyles, regardless of whether they are moral, religious, or secular.
In this system, every decision and viewpoint is considered equally valid.
➌ Tolerance: Western Perspective vs. Islam
✦ Western Tolerance:
Tolerance means accepting all actions, even if they are morally objectionable. Criticizing or attempting to stop such actions is viewed as contrary to democratic values.
✔ Islamic Tolerance:
Islam rejects this understanding.
Every Muslim is obligated to stop evil as per the Hadith:
“Whoever among you sees an evil must stop it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; and if not, then with his heart—and that is the weakest level of faith.”
(Muslim)
➍ Misinterpretation of Qur'anic Verse: “No Compulsion in Religion”
Verse (Al-Baqarah: 256) is often cited to support absolute freedom of belief, but its true meaning is that no one should be forced to accept Islam, not that religious laws do not apply within an Islamic state.
✦ Misuse:
Modern Muslim thinkers and Western scholars often use this verse—out of context—to promote complete freedom and tolerance.
➎ Rights of Non-Muslims in an Islamic State
✔ Islamic View:
Non-Muslims are permitted to practice their personal religious rituals, but are prohibited from spreading disbelief or engaging in political activism against the Islamic system. This is to protect society from the spread of false ideologies.
✦ Western View:
In the Western system, every form of expression or propagation is allowed, even if it contradicts societal morals or religious values.
➏ The Meaning of Peace in Islam
✔ Islamic Peace:
True peace in Islam is achieved through the implementation of Shari’ah. Real prosperity and salvation come only under the Islamic system.
✦ Western Peace:
In the West, peace means allowing individuals to live as they wish, regardless of the impact on collective morality or spiritual well-being.
➐ Why Islam Does Not Permit Preaching of Disbelief
✔ Islamic Principle:
Islam does not allow the propagation of any ideology that may lead people toward misguidance or eternal loss.
Its objective is to safeguard the society from all forms of ideological corruption and deviation.
✦ Western Freedom of Expression:
Western liberalism places no restriction on any form of religious or non-religious preaching.
➑ Misconceptions of Modern Muslim Thinkers
✦ Fallacy of Globalization and Interfaith Cooperation:
Many modern Muslim thinkers believe that in a globalized world, Muslims must collaborate equally with non-Muslims.
However, Islam holds that only Islam is the true path, and all other ideologies lead to misguidance.
✔ Islam as a Complete Way of Life:
Islam is not just a religion—it is a comprehensive system of life, encompassing worship, morality, politics, economy, and social order.
Summary
The fundamental difference between Islamic and Western ideologies of freedom, equality, and tolerance is this:
- Islam considers servitude to Allah (‘ubudiyyah) as the ultimate value, and all desires must submit to divine commands.
- Western systems elevate personal freedom and self-determination as the highest ideal, allowing each individual to live by their own desires.
Thus, the Islamic system calls for submission to divine guidance, while the Western system promotes individual autonomy, even at the cost of collective moral and spiritual degradation.
