Islam teaches that every human being has the right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion without the threat of coercion or punishment. This understanding stems directly from the Holy Quran, which clearly declares, “There is no compulsion in religion” (2:257).

Therefore, Islam wholeheartedly supports the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—both of which, like Islam, guarantee freedom of conscience, religion, and speech.

The Holy Quran and the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa demonstrate that Islam does not sanction death or any other worldly punishment for changing one’s faith (i.e., apostasy). For example, the Holy Quran declares, “And if Allah had enforced His will, they would not have set up gods with Him. And We have not made [Muhammad] a keeper over them nor art thou over them a guardian” (6:108). This verse demonstrates that no person has any right to compel others in matters of faith. Forced faith is no faith at all. Islam recognizes that Islam only permits capital punishment as a possible consequence of murder or treason.

In response to those who insult or deride Islam, i.e. commit “blasphemy,” Islam advocates complete restraint, just as the Holy Quran prescribes:

And the servants of the Gracious God are those who walk on the earth in a dignified manner, and when the ignorant address them, they say, ‘Peace!’ (25:64).

Moreover, the Holy Quran addresses blasphemy on five separate occasions but never permits any worldly punishment for it. Accordingly, Islam opposes the current anti-blasphemy laws in Muslim-majority countries.

Islam condemn any worldly punishment levied upon an apostate or a blasphemer because it recognizes that only God can judge any act of apostasy or blasphemy. Therefore, Islam advocates freedom of conscience, religion, and speech as a fundamental tenet of Islam.