The Holy Quran Does Not Approve Of Forced Religious Conversion

The Stance of the Quran Is In Accordance With Modern International Laws on Conversion Main Points: 1. Quran asks its followers only to spread its message peacefully 2. People have full freedom to profess their religion according to the Quran. 3. Quran says Muslims are not supposed to behave as religious police. ------- New Age Islam Correspondent 25 September 2021 In modern times, religious conversion has become a controversial issue. Religious organizations and religious activists are often accused of forced religious conversions. They are accused of coercing poor or illiterate people into converting to their professed religion. Some extremist organizations forcefully convert people into their professed religion after abducting them. These organizations and individuals do this to expand their religion. This phenomenon of forced or coerced religious conversions has prompted modern governments to bring legislations to prevent such people and organizations from converting people by force or coercion. Citizens are protected under human rights and religious rights and are free to profess any religion or to convert to any religion at the call of their conscience. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Also Read: Resurrect Mutual Religious Respect - Do Not Redefine, Abuse and Find Fault with Other Religions and Sects ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ When we study the Quran and try to find out its stance on religious conversion, we come across clear guidelines and instructions on the issue. Though the Quran is revealed for the guidance of the people and it enjoins on its followers to spread its message, it also strictly instructs them no to force any one to accept their religion. The Quran also asks them not speak ill of the followers of other religions. God sent messengers to guide people with good news of rewards for good deeds and a warner against bad deeds. They are not asked to force people to accept their religion. Therefore, the followers of the prophets are also told to adopt the same policy. And We send not the messengers except as bringers of good tidings and warmers. (Al Kahf: 56) The Quran does not want violence and bloodshed in the name of spreading religious messages. "And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned [i.e., praised]. (Al Hajj: 40) The Quran enjoins the followers of Islam only to struggle in the path of God, to spread the message of God telling people what is good and what is bad. The responsibility of accepting the message is upon the people. God says that there is wisdom behind many religions on Earth and if He wanted, all would follow one religion. So God only wants to see if His followers struggled to spread His message or not. The Quran says: “Your duty is only to deliver ˹the message˺. Judgment is for Us”. (Ar-Ra’d:40) And when they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say, "For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace will be upon you;1 we seek not the ignorant."(Al Qasas: 55) Those who coerce people or force them to convert to a particular religion and commit violence against them if they don’t accept their religion are called transgressors. God hates such people. Allah likes not the transgressors (Al-e-Imran: 140) The onus of accepting the message of the evangelists or missionaries is totally on the people. They are free to convert to any religion. They Quran clearly says: And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve."(Al Kahf: 29) You are not over them a controller. (Al-Ghashiyah: 20) Yet remind them by this ˹Quran˺, so no one should be ruined for their misdeeds. (Al An’am: 70) And if they deny you, [O Muḥammad], then say, "For me are my deeds, and for you are your deeds. You are disassociated from what I do, and I am disassociated from what you do."(Yunus: 41) And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."(Al Ankabut: 46) In modern times, the mission of religious conversion has become inspired by political ambitions of nations. In past, wars were fought on religious grounds and violence and bloodshed was perpetrated in the name of expanding religions. But in modern times, the issue of religion conversion has been brought under human rights and religious rights. No one can force anybody to convert to any religion. In modern times, Freedom of religion or belief is guaranteed by article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Also Read: Forced Conversion is Unethical and Against the Will of Allah ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Article18.2 bars coercion that would impair the right to have or adopt a religion or belief, including the use of threat of physical force or penal sanctions to compete believers or non-believers to adhere to their religious beliefs and congregations, to recant their religion or belief or to convert.” Thus, the stance of the holy Quran on the issue of religious conversions is in accordance with the modern international laws. It does not allow followers of Islam to force or to coerce anybody to convert to Islam and to commit violence in the name of spreading Islam. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-human-rights/forced-religious-conversion-quran/d/125434 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism