Limits of Freedom of Expression from Islamic Perspective and it’s Major Differences from the Western Perspective

Abstract

Definitely, freedom of expression is one of the most important issues in the current sociopolitical scenario but due to its sensitivity it is also creating some conflicts and problems for social and ethical norms of the eastern societies especially for the Muslims. It is observed, Islam keeps balance between freedom and ethical norms. Principally this is one of the major differences between Islamic and the western view. In Islam, freedom of expression is not only a right but sometimes it becomes an absolute duty of a Muslim. It is noticed; Islamic teachings grant all kind of fundamental rights and civil liberties, including freedom of expression and speech to everyone but bind it with some moral and social norms and values. These limits and boundaries are necessary to save the society from any kind of controversy and chaos. Mostly it is observed; the advocates of freedom of speech exceed their limits and violate the other’s basic rights. This thing makes unbalance the social norms and values as compare to rights and liberties. Keeping in view, if liberties are important then norms and values are also important to society. So there is a dire need to keep balance between socio- religious norms and civil liberties especially in case of freedom of expression. This study elaborates the important limits of freedom of speech from Islamic perspective and its crucial differences from Western perspective.