FREEDOM OF SPEECH

The word “freedom” as understood today is a misnomer in Islam. The Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) has stated:
“The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the non-believer”.

Hence, the conduct, activity and speech of a believer are regulated by Divine Law. He does not enjoy unrestricted liberty in choosing his diet, dress or preferences. His entire life is governed by Islamic teachings. With reference to speech, the Holy Quraan states:

“Not a word does he utter, except by him is a guard ready to record (that which he utters). (50:18)

Hadhrat Sahl bin Sa,ad states that the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said:

“He who guarantees me (the safety) of what is between his jaws (i.e. the tongue) and that which is between his legs (i.e. his private parts), I guarantee Jannah (paradise) for him.” (Bukhari)

FREEDOM
Islam enjoins the freedom of speech in the following instances:

Citizens of the State
Every individual has a right to censure, advise or criticize those who have been appointed on him as rulers or have been appointed as in-charge by the rulers for any particular affair. This is allowed, provided that the criticism is not propagandistic.

The head of the Muslims (even the head of state) always proclaimed with humility:

“Assist me when I act rightly, but if I go wrong, put me on the right path. Obey me as long as I remain loyal to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and His Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam).

The Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) has said:

“The most virtuous word, is a statement of truth uttered before an oppressed ruler."

Collective Moral Obligation
Society is obliged to speak out against all form of vice, promiscuity and immoral behavior. The Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said:

“He, who sees a wrong being perpetrated, should stop it with his hand. If he is unable to (physically stop it), he should speak out against it. If he is unable to do that, then he should (at least) detest it.”

Therefore, to call to enjoin virtue and forbid evil is one of the essential duties of a Muslim.

Collective Interest of the Society
It is the essential task of every citizen to expose the misdemeanors, brutality or abuse of power of those who are made responsible in a Muslim society especially if the behavior is related with the communal affairs. Hadhrat Jaabir states that the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) has said:

“Meetings (or gatherings) are held on the basis of trust (i.e. information is classified) except in three (instances). Gatherings wherein a person declares his intention to murder, commit adultery or usurp wealth. (Abu Dawood)

LIMITATIONS

Inter-faith Relations
The Holy Quraan states:
“Revile not those whom they call unto (worship) besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance.” (8:108).

MuslirrE are coninanded not to undermine, vilify or mock at the beliefs of other faiths, lest they in turn mock lslara

Slander and Gossip
The Holy Quraan states:
“Woe to every scandal-monger and backbiter.” (104:1)

Slander and gossip have gained an aura of respectability, through which suspicion, hatred and fear have become accepted human behavior. In our day and age the written word glorifies the dregs of human conduct and conversation. The visual acts, the films, television and theater thrive on human abnormality and perversity, which is the logical incitement to criminal tendencies.

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah narrates that the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) once asked the Sahaabah:

“Do you know what is ‘Gheebah’ (backbiting).”

They replied:
“Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and His Messenger (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) know best.’

He said:
‘To utter anything (in the absence of your brother) which he regards as offensive.”

It was asked:
“What if (the accusation) is true?”

He replied:
“If what you say (in his absence is true) that is Gheebah (backbiting) and if what you say is not true that is (tantamount) to slander. (Muslim)

Allegations
No one may circulate, broadcast or publish an allegation without conclusive evidence. Neither can the media usurp the function of the process of law, by arrogantly assuming the “right of trial”. The media hyped with untruth or half-truths cannot manipulate information to sensationalize, distort and put for unsubstantiated facts based on n allegations.

The Prophet Mohammad (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) has said: “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the blackest lie. Do not pry into the affairs (of people). Do not spy……. Do not display animosity, nor shun each other. Be slaves of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). Brethren (unto) each other.

The Holy Quraan proscribed those who slandered Hadhrat Aayishah:

“Why did they not produce four witness to prove it (the allegation)? If they do not produce four witness, such men in the sight of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) (stand forth) as liars themselves. (24:15)

Pornography
Islam prescribes preventative legislation which includes a ban on obscene literature, entertainment and promiscuous visual or electronic media. All forms of suggestive behavior and all such medium which advocate, suggest, lure or arouse passion are regarded as illicit and immoral.

The Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) has said:
“The fornication of the legs, is walking (towards obscenity). The adultery of the hands is touching evil. The adultery of the eyes is casting passionate glances.

Lies — Deception
Hadhrat Ubaadah bin Saamit states that the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said, “Guarantee me six things from your side and I will (from my side) guarantee paradise for you:

1. Speak the truth.
2. Fulfill your promise.
3. Discharge your trusts.
4. Protect your private parts.
5. Lower your gaze (from lustful glances).
6. Restrain your hands (from evil and oppression).
(Abmed and Baihaqi)

Blasphemy
It is the unanimous view of all Muslim Jurists that anyone who reviles Hadhrat Aayishah) or any other Sahaabah (companion) of Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) becomes a Kaafir (infidel) and a blasphemer, because he clearly violates the injunction of the Quraan which states:

“Allah admonishes you not to commit the crime of reviling the family of the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) any time if you have a spark of Imaan in your hearts.” (24:17)

Hadhrat Ali reports that the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said:

“Anyone who abuses any of the prophets of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) kill him and he who abuses his companions lash him. (Al-Shifa)

That Which Does Not Concern You
Hadhrat Ali bin Hussein states that the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam) said:

“Part of the beauty (essence) of a person’s faith, is that he shuns that which does not concern him.” (Maalik and Ahmed)

The Conduct of a Believer
Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) states in the Holy Quraan:
“And the slaves of the Most Beneficent (Allah) are those who walk in the earth in humility and when the foolish address them (merely to dispute) they (simply) say:

“Salaam (Peace).” That is, we do not wish to indulge in frivolous talk. (25:63)

Accountability
“And the book (of deeds) will be placed (before them) and you will see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein. They will say, ‘Ah! Woe to us. What a book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!’ They will find all that they did placed before them. And no one will your Lord treat with injustice.
(18:49)

Beware of Thoughtless Speech!

Before you shoot your arrow,
Test the bow,
Is not the string
Too slack for the target?
Your arms too weak?
Words can be shot faster
Than an arrow,
But shame and regret
Will remain forever!

Hadhrat Ali is quoted to have said:
“The tongue of a wise man lies in his heart. Whilst the heart of a fool lies on his tongue.”

Think before you speak and you will find yourself with a lot loss to speak about. Hadhrat Uqbah bin Aamir once inquired of the Prophet (SalAllaho alaihe wa sallam), “What is salvation?”

He replied:
“Control your tongue, stay indoors and cry over your sins.”