Freedom of Expression and Speech: An Exploration of Waḥīduddīn Khān’s Views and Approach

Abstract

In Islam, freedom of expression has a significant value and it is considered a basic human right and obligatory duty of Muslim believers. Therefore, Islam commands all Muslim men and women, rulers and public, inferior and superior to establish and maintain it properly keeping in view certain parameters and boundaries within which it must be practiced. With the rise of the new waves of freedom of expression in the western world, a number of Muslim scholars have attempted to reinterpret these parameters in order to offer a better understanding of the said issue. Employing qualitative research methodology, we analyzed the views of Mawlānā Waḥīduddīn Khān published in his books, papers, interviews and blogs. Providing a critical analysis of the writings of a well-known Islamic scholar, this paper is an attempt to understand his approach towards the subject matter at hand. This study concludes that he evaluated critically the concepts of traditional Islamic scholars and their vantage points towards liberty and freedom of expression and he is more or less near to the western approach towards freedom of expression. One may examine that there are some remarks of Khān contradictory to that of his other views concerning liberty. This study also recommends that we need a deep analysis of his views to understand his opinions regarding freedom of speech and thought.