Ghazālian Insights on Doctrinal Toleration and Its Implications for Notions of Freedom by Prof. Ebrahim Moosa

Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī (d. 1111) in his Fayṣal al-tafriqa bayna al-Islām wa al-zanadaqa, offers one way as to how one navigates intra-Muslim disagreements on doctrinal issues. The question is whether Ghazālī offers some insight into how we can discuss freedom of speech from within Islamic parameters. Would a Ghazālian reading create some space for how one can hold strong views that are antithetical to the views of other individuals but yet still be part of one faith community. If there is space for legitimate disagreement within a single faith community, what insights does Ghazālī offer for multi-religious and politically plural communities?

The idea of free speech is an essential element of cultures that aspire form of liberty and freedom in some form of liberal, socialist or any kind of democratic formation. Muslims find themselves in Western and in non-Western societies where this element of open and free conversation about difficult topics is a requirement of public discourse. Given the secular nature of liberalism and socialism, all topics including religious claims and beliefs are subject to public debate. Critique of religion or the challenge to religious pieties and symbols are part of such public discourse in democracies that foster free speech. The Muslim tradition (turāth) is embedded in a culture of obligation and duty rather than freedom. The idea of freedom is also different in multiple polities and is always subject to higher norms of duty and obligation. Freedom is not absolute but an aspirational goal, mediated by political and social realities. Often times, Muslim advocates make claims that the historical tradition allows for untrammeled freedom of expression and speech. This is not always accurate. There are certain boundaries and limits of expressing opinion historically such as the reverence for the Prophet of Islam, the sanctity of the Scripture, the sanctity of the imāms in the Shīʿī tradition, the honor of Companions for the Sunnīs, as well as for the founders of the law schools and other personages. Any free speech directed at some of these figures can generate charges of insult and blasphemy. Free speech in Muslim discourse is always trumped by some higher interests and principles. My paper will elucidate and discuss some of the issues drawing on the writings of Ghazālī.