The Arab in his pre-Islamic desert environment could not comprehend life without freedom. For him, freedom was his daily bread, and the only limitations on this freedom were tribal ties, customs, and traditions. Beyond that, there was no written law or traditional authority as known in neighboring states.
Everything changed with the advent of Islam. The transformation in the Arabs' lives was profound, touching every aspect, big and small. It was a psychological transformation, a rebuilding of the rebellious Arab personality, a reconstruction of social relations, and a reorganization of the social system. Islam demolished an old system from its roots and established an entirely new one—a system unfamiliar to the Arab throughout his long history and perhaps unknown to the world at the time. It was not a religion in the mold of the known religions of that era or those that were inherited remnants.
Yes, Islam imposed strict restrictions on much of the freedom the Arab had enjoyed. It prohibited drinking alcohol—an integral part of his life—banned adultery, forbade murder, and many other actions that were integral to his daily life and marked his liberty.
Renouncing these behaviors was not easy. However, as history tells us, when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed away, Islam had spread across the Arabian Peninsula, successfully reforming the Arab and transitioning him to a new stage of life he had never known.
The question arises: Did Islam impose constraints on the Arab's freedom? Yes, it was a restriction on his freedom in the pre-Islamic sense. To be precise, Islam refined his life and prepared him for a new type of existence—not just for the Arab but for the entire world. The Arab, who once indulged in wine and boasted of romantic conquests in poetry, became a conqueror carrying a message. Within a few short years, he spread it to all corners of the world, despite previously venturing beyond his desert only for trade twice a year.
Since we focus on freedom and its relationship with Islam, specifically whether Islam imposes restrictions on freedom and aligns with its concepts, let us delve into this topic. The key question remains: What aspect defines freedom in any society?
The political system is often seen as the clearest indicator of a society's freedom. Socially, do the state's citizens receive equal and fair treatment from the ruling system, without discrimination based on gender, religion, or other factors?
Before addressing these questions, we must consider several factors.
Factors to Consider:
- The Political System in Islam:
The caliphate system holds a unique status. Regardless of differences or grievances against the caliph, Islamic law does not permit rebellion or breaking allegiance. This explains the approach of scholars and opponents toward caliphs, using alternative methods to address deviations without revolting. However, scholars and decision-makers could have devised mechanisms to address such deviations. This neglect contributed to widening the gap between principles and practice, starting after the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) death. Yet, proximity to the Prophetic era often helped address these issues, as seen in the election of the caliph at the Saqifah of Bani Sa’ida and the wars against apostasy.
- Shift from Consultation to Hereditary Rule:
The transformation of the caliphate from a consultative system to hereditary succession was a significant deviation. It was neither prescribed by the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor mentioned in the Qur'an. Despite this deviation, not all rulers from dynasties throughout Islamic history were unjust. Some were righteous, while others caused great harm to Islam and its followers.
- Assassination of Caliphs:
The killings of Caliphs Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and his sons Hasan and Hussain (may Allah be pleased with them all) led to significant consequences. These events, culminating in the Umayyad rule under Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, left impacts still felt today.
- Expansion of the Islamic State:
The vast expansion of the Islamic state in a short period and the inclusion of diverse groups under its umbrella. Not all those who came under this umbrella had pure hearts, sincere faith, or genuine intentions. As a result, the Islamic state faced many conspiracies and political upheavals, which, if not for the nature of this religion, would have caused its collapse long ago.
- External Challenges:
External factors represented by the enemies of the Islamic state, including the Byzantines and others, continuously opposed it. There were fierce campaigns that lasted for decades, sweeping through Muslim lands, including the Mongol invasions, the fall of Baghdad, and the Crusades, which continued through eight successive waves over more than a century.
Other considerations include the scientific and economic isolation Muslims faced after the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope and the New World, leading to the loss of significant resources and control over seas and shores that fell under European domination.
Muslims largely failed to showcase the true essence of the Islamic system throughout their long history, except during the Rashidun Caliphate and shortly after. The degree of deviation determined the extent of societal flaws. However, despite these deviations, Muslims achieved significant accomplishments, though their deviations undermined these achievements.
Many reform attempts were made, with scholars leading movements to address these flaws. However, these efforts were often lost in light of the considerations mentioned earlier. They also lacked continuity and methodology, being individual and unconnected efforts. There are many examples of such attempts.
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