CHOICE IS OURS

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This verse establishes Islam’s foundational principle of

1. Religious freedom

2. Emphasizing that truth is accessible to those who seek it voluntarily, without coercion.

3. God gave freedom of choice though The right from wrong is made clear

لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ [Al-Baqara : 256]

(2:256) There is no compulsion and coercion in regard to religion.

 *285The right thing has been made distinct from the wrong thing: now whoever rejects taghut *286 and believes in Allah has taken a firm support that never gives way.

*285). Din here signifies the belief about God embodied in the above ‘Verse of the Throne’ and the entire system of life which rests upon it. The verse means that the system of Islam, embracing belief, morals and practical conduct cannot be imposed by compulsion. These are not things to which people can be yoked forcibly. 

*286). Literally taghut means anyone who exceeds his legitimate limits. In the Qur’anic terminology, however, it refers to the creature who exceeds the limits of his creatureliness and arrogates to himself godhead and lordship. 

There are three stages of man’s transgression and rebellion against God. 

The first stage is that one acknowledges in principle that obedience to God is right, but disregards it in practice. This is fisq (transgression). 

The second stage is that one not only disobeys but also rejects obedience in principle, and thus either refuses to become the subject of anyone at all or adopts someone other than God as the object of service and devotion. This is kufr (infidelity). 

The third stage is that one not only rebels against one’s Lord but also imposes one’s own will (in disregard of the Will of God – Ed.)on God’s world and God’s creatures. Anyone who reaches such a point is termed taghut and no one can be a true believer in God unless the authority of such a taghut (evil one) is rejected

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Data compiled by deepseek 

### **Translation (Tafheem-ul-Quran):**  

*”There is no compulsion and coercion in regard to religion. The right thing has been made distinct from the wrong thing: now whoever rejects taghut and believes in Allah has taken a firm support that never gives way.”*   

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### **Explanation (Tafseer) by Maududi:**  

1. **”No Compulsion in Religion” (لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ)**  

   – **Din (religion)** here refers to the entire Islamic system of belief, morality, and conduct, as outlined in the preceding “Verse of the Throne” (Ayat al-Kursi, 2:255).  

   – Islam cannot be imposed by force because faith requires conviction, not coercion. The truth of Islam is self-evident through its clear proofs, making compulsion unnecessary .  

2. **Distinction Between Right and Wrong (قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشۡدُ مِنَ ٱلۡغَيِّ)**  

   – The path of guidance (الرُّشۡدُ) is now clearly separated from misguidance (الۡغَيِّ). This clarity removes any justification for forcing belief, as the truth is accessible to all .  

3. **Rejecting Taghut and Believing in Allah (فَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ وَيُؤۡمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ)**  

   – **Taghut** refers to false deities, idols, or any power that exceeds its legitimate limits and claims lordship (e.g., tyranny, false ideologies).  

   – True faith requires both **rejection of falsehood** and **affirmation of Allah’s sovereignty**. This dual action ensures spiritual and moral integrity .  

4. **The “Firmest Handhold” (ٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ)**  

   – This metaphor describes Islam as an unbreakable rope or support. Whoever grasps it attains stability in faith and life, protected from destruction .  

5. **Allah’s Omniscience (وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ)**  

   – Allah is fully aware of human intentions and actions. The verse underscores that faith must be sincere, not forced, as Allah knows the heart’s true state .  

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### **Contextual Insights:**  

– **Historical Background:** The verse was revealed when some Ansar (Medinan Muslims) tried to compel their children, raised as Jews, to convert. Islam affirmed that faith must be a free choice .  

– **Misconceptions Clarified:** Some argue that jihad contradicts this verse, but Islamic scholars clarify that jihad aims to remove oppression (فساد), not force conversion. Non-Muslims under Islamic rule were protected via treaties (e.g., paying jizyah) .  

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