Freedom of Expression in Islam

 Freedom of Expression in Islam -
[A4-] Paperback - 361 pages,
by Mohammad Hashim Kamali,
Published by Islamic Texts Society, Cambridge, UK.


'Fundamental Rights and Liberties in Islam Series' : Volume 4.


Description :


In recent years the subject of freedom of expression has become a topic of heated debate. Freedom of Expression in Islam offers the first and only detailed presentation in English of freedom of expression from both the legal and moral perspectives of Islam. This work is a pioneering attempt in examining both the evidence on freedom of expression in the sources of the Shari’ah and the limitations, whether moral, legal or theological, that Islam imposes on the valid exercise of this freedom. Freedom of Expression in Islam is informative not only on the subject of the possibilities of freedom of expression within Islam, but also on the cultural tradition of Islam and its guidelines on social behaviour.


Prof Mohammad H. Kamali is Chairman of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was formerly Professor of Law at the International Islamic University Malaysia, where he taught Islamic law and jurisprudence for over twenty years.


           ‘Freedom of Expression in Islam will almost certainly inform all future
            discussion of its theme.’ _{---International Journal of Middle Eastern Studies}.



Extract : '' Since freedom can apply to competing or even conflicting interests, it tends to defy the idea of a comprehensive definition, which is precisely why there is no clear definition for freedom. There are, of course, many attempts by writers and commentators to define freedom, yet they are all open to some level of uncertainty and doubt. Freedom for whom? Freedom from what? And freedom to do what? To the mystic, freedom has often meant the release from egoity and dependence on the material world. The philosopher and theologian would extend the debate to encompass the relationship between God and man, and the extent to which a person can be deemed free. What meaning, if any, can the word ‘freedom’ have in that context? ''





Table of Contents :

---About the Author,
---Acknowledgements,
---Preface to the Revised Edition.


Part [1] : Preliminary,
---I.   Introduction,
---II.  Definition and Scope,
---III. Rights and Fundamental Rights,
------Notes to Part One.
   
Part [2] : Affirmative Evidence,
---I.   Introductory Remarks,
---II. The Qur’anic Principle of Hisbah,
---III. Sincere Advice (Nasihah),
---IV. Consultation (Shura),
---V.  Personal Reasoning (Ijtihad),
---VI. Freedom to Criticise (Hurriyyat al-Mu'aradah),
---VII. Freedom to Express an Opinion (Hurriyat al-Ra'y),
---VIII. Freedom of Association,
---IX.  Freedom of Religion (Al-Hurriyat al-Diniyyah).
---Conclusion,
------Notes to Part Two.
 
Part [3] : Moral Restraints,
---I.  General Themes,
---II.  Special Subjects,
------Notes to Part Three.

Part [4] : Legal Restraints,
---I.   Introductory Remarks,
---II. Public Utterance of Hurtful Speech,
---III. Slanderous Accusation (Qadhf),
---IV. Libel (Iftira),
---V.  Insult (Sabb; Shatm),
---VI. Cursing (La'n),
---VII. Attribution of Disbelief to a Muslim (Takfir al-Muslim),
---VIII. Sedition (Fitnah),
---IX. Blasphemy (Sabb Allah wa Sabb al-Rasul),
------Notes to Part Four.

---Conclusion,

---Appendix I,
---Appendix II,
---Appendix III,
---Appendix IV,
---Appendix V,

---Bibliography,
---Glossary,
---Index.

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