Religious Freedom of Minorities in Muslim Countries: The Principle of La Ikraha fī al-Din as a Constitutional Basis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61455/sicopus.v4i02.527Keywords:
freedom of religion, minority rights, constitution, islamic law, equalityAbstract
Objective: The principle of "Lā ikrāha fī al-dīn" as the constitutional basis of religious freedom of minorities in Muslim-majority countries. The study is directed at the alignment of Islamic normative values with modern constitutionalism. This formulation is aimed at strengthening the guarantee of equal and non-discriminatory religious freedom. Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework of the research integrates normative Islamic theology, maqāṣid al-sharī'ah, human rights theory, and modern constitutionalism. The principle of "Lā ikrāha fī al-dīn" is positioned as the basic norm of religious freedom. This framework is a tool for analyzing the relationship between Islamic values and constitutional law. Literature review: Previous studies of religious freedom in Islam have generally been theological and historical. Constitutional studies emphasize the perspective of universal human rights and are rarely associated with Qur'anic principles. The dominance of classical fiqh heritage still limits the recognition of citizenship equality. Methods: This study uses a qualitative method with normative and conceptual legal approaches. The techniques used include thematic interpretation of the Qur'an, philosophical-legal analysis, and comparative constitutional studies. The data was analyzed interpretively and argumentatively. Results: The analysis shows that the principle of "Lā ikrāha fī al-dīn" is in line with international standards of religious freedom. This principle has the potential to become a constitutional norm limiting the coercive power of the state. The main obstacle is the interpretation of classical jurisprudence and the ambivalent formulation of the constitution. Implications: Theoretically, this article strengthens the development of equality-based constitutional Islamic law. In practical terms, these findings are relevant for the formulation of inclusive constitutional policies and clauses. The principle of non-coercion can increase the protection of the rights of religious minorities. Novelty: The novelty of the research lies in the placement of "Lā ikrāha fī al-dīn" as an operational constitutional norm. This article integrates Islamic theology, maqāṣid al-sharī'ah, and modern constitutionalism. This approach goes beyond tolerance towards the recognition of citizenship equality.
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