JULY 8 — According to some people learned in the religion of Islam, compulsion in Islam is legitimate and can or must be enforced by man-made laws. Other Islamic scholars quote the Quran to show that there is no compulsion in Islam.

Of the two, which is correct? A non-Muslim finds the compulsion version abhorrent while he would readily accept the no-compulsion version which makes sense as there was no compulsion during the Prophet’s days, and neither in the Holy Book. Anyway, no one has quoted from the Holy Book to prove there is compulsion in Islam. 

But why is there no consensus among the Muslims on this issue?

For the sake of discussion let us compare one’s religion to membership of a club. In religious matters one does not have to fill up an application form at birth to take up any religion. One’s religion at birth is determined by the parents’ religion.

To be a club member one has first and foremost to be an adult, for only adults can enter into contracts. One has to apply for membership and pay the necessary dues. Any time after that the member can decide to leave the club for whatever reason and join another club. There is no compulsion; nothing to say that once you have joined a certain club, you cannot leave and join another of your choice.

If “A” believes that only those of his religion will go to heaven after death, does that give him any right to compel others to convert to his religion? He could persuade them, but surely not compel.

So why should “A” make it his business to compel others, if need be through laws, to take up his religion or be prevented from leaving it?

Or has “A” been promised, rightly or wrongly, that if he gets to convert someone to his religion, regardless of how it is done, or to prevent someone leaving it, a great reward is awaiting him in the hereafter? In that case, desirous of ensuring that reward, he becomes overzealous and forgets that his Holy Book says that there is no compulsion in religion.

This scenario would be reminiscent of young people recruited by direct sales companies who approach consumers and market their products through misrepresentations and staged dramas (e.g. in “scratch and win” cases), all for the sake of the reward that awaits them — their commissions.

Personally, I feel that people should “do unto others as you would have others do unto you”. Let each decide his own religion. It is something very personal.

All the time, energy and money being spent on the “conversion” issue would be better spent on improving the moral character of our society so that there is less crime, less corruption, no more dumping of babies born out of wedlock, no more Mat Rempit menace, better school discipline, etc. These are the real problems of the country that need to be tackled, not religion.

It is heartening that the Cabinet has decided to shelve the controversial Bill “for further study”. What further study is needed? The Cabinet should be guided by what is in the Holy Book. If the Book says “no compulsion” then there must be no compulsion and all other similar legislation passed by the states must also be withdrawn to be consistent with the teachings in the Holy Quran. 

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.