In a recent interview conducted in Hyderabad, Advocate Nizam Ali Khan, a prominent speaker of Islam, shed light on a commonly misunderstood Islamic concept. He addressed the misconception that some people, including certain politicians and biased media outlets, believe that Islam permits the forceful conversion of individuals—essentially pressuring and coercing them to embrace Islam without a comprehensive understanding of the faith. Khan emphatically clarified this misinterpretation, stating that “the teachings of Islam do not endorse the use of force to convert someone to Islam.” He stressed that even if someone born into the Muslim faith strays from its teachings, other Muslims should not compel them but instead encourage them to return to the faith.

To underscore his point, Khan referenced a crucial verse from the Quran, verse 256, chapter 2, which states: “In religion, there is no compulsion.” This means that Islamic teachings explicitly prohibit the forced practice of Islam or conversion to the religion. Khan acknowledged that Western Orientalists have sometimes presented Islamic teachings in a negative light, contributing to these misconceptions.

Khan also shared historical anecdotes from the time of the Prophet Mohammed to illustrate the non-coercive nature of Islam. For instance, he mentioned the incident when Abu Talib, the uncle of the Prophet Mohammed, was on his deathbed. Despite having the power to force his uncle to accept Islam, the Prophet chose not to and Abu Talib passed away without converting. Khan also recounted the Prophet Mohammed’s visit to Taif, a city 100 kilometers from Mecca, where he invited people to embrace Islam. Despite facing severe abuse and stoning from the residents of Taif, the Prophet did not resort to force but continued to extend his invitation.

Khan highlighted another event involving Sumama, the Governor of Yamama, a city close to Medina, who was held captive in the Prophet’s Mosque. Despite his initial abuse of the Prophet Mohammed, Sumama eventually embraced Islam after witnessing the Prophet’s exemplary behavior. Even when the Prophet and his followers conquered Mecca, they refrained from coercing non-Muslims in the city to convert. Throughout the Prophet’s life, there were numerous situations where he could have compelled people to embrace Islam, but he consistently upheld the non-compulsory nature of Islamic teachings.

Furthermore, Khan referred to the Constitution of India, specifically Article No. 25, which guarantees the freedom to practice, profess, and propagate one’s religion. However, this freedom does not extend to forcing others to adopt one’s own faith. Every Indian citizen has the right to practice their customs, rituals, and religion, as well as the freedom to choose any faith they deem fit. Khan emphasized that any attempt by a Muslim or anyone else to forcibly convert another individual to Islam is not only contrary to Islamic law but also a violation of Indian law.

In conclusion, Advocate Nizam A Khan’s insightful interview clarifies a widely misunderstood concept in Islam and underscores the importance of respecting individuals’ freedom of religious choice. Islam, as he explained, unequivocally opposes the use of force in matters of faith.

Video Link: Watch the full interview on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AlifIndiaorg/videos/198709429734360/