Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 176
Freedom of Conscience in Matters of Faith 171 message is loud and clear that the area of faith lies outside the domain of coercion. With regard to the history of religion as portrayed in the Holy Quran, it has been clearly explained that ever since Allah established the institution of Prophethood for the guidance of man, there has ensued a continuous struggle between two diametrically opposed views. On the one hand are God’s Prophets and Messengers who receive guidance through Divine revelation and invite their respective nations towards the same, whilst giving them a free choice to either accept or reject the message. They proclaim that neither do they have the authority to enforce their teachings upon anybody, nor do they believe in doing so. On the other hand, there are their opponents who always, without fail, not only declare their belief in the use of coercion but also in practice use force to prevent others from propagating their faith. They proclaim if you do not desist from attempting to change our religion through arguments, you will be severely punished. And whosoever from among our people discards our own religion to adopt a new one will be treated with such cruelty as will become a warning to all others. Hence, according to the Holy Quran, every true Prophet proclaimed freedom of conscience, while every false opponent stood for coercion and force to prevent the spread of truth. Out of many examples, the Holy Quran mentions Hadrat Shu‘aib as :