حرية الفكر والتعبيرعند الإمام بديع الزمان سعيد النورسي رحمه الله

The Freedom of Thought and Expression: A Study of Imam Badi-uz Zaman An-Naurasi’s Ideas

Abstract

The freedom of thought and expression has acquired a diversity of meanings and limitations determined by the evolving socio-historical contexts of various civilizations through the history. This piece of research briefly investigates the history of evolution of this concept in Islamic and Western intellectual circles and then intends to focus upon the elaboration of this idea by Imam Badi-uz-Zaman An-Naurasi. Iman Naurasi supports the human right of thinking and expressing ideas freely but at the same time recognizes the need of divine intervention in delimiting its boundaries. Humans, if left entirely unrestricted to make their choices in life, would only bring about disastrous results and thus lead to cessation of a collaborative social life. Therefore, Imam proposes that humanity should abide by some universal principles and high moral values inspired by the divine revelation so that the society could collectively ensure the pursuit of human progress and well-being. Imam proves his point through the instances from the Islamic history that divinely guided freedom of thought and expression provided the world with a vivid model of life which provided people the rights of choosing everything in their life ranging from faith to marital and economic decisions.