A reflection on the right to [exercise] religion in the verses of the Holy Quran with emphasis on the verse of «لا إکراه فی الدین»

The right to practice religion is one of the fundamental issues at the present time. This study seeks to examine how, if a person is free to choose a religion, this right corresponds with the rulings such as apostasy or primary jihad? The interpretation of some verses, especially the verse «لا إِکْراهَ فِی الدِّین‏» "La ikrah fi al-din…" indicates that from the perspective of the Holy Qur'an, the right to practice religion is one of the basic human rights. The present study shows that God the Almighty has not forced human to accept a particular religion rather he has given them the right and freedom to choose a religion. There is no contradiction between the freedom of conscience [and the right to exercise religion] and the ruling of apostasy or Primary Jihad. However, a misunderstanding of the real life, in some cases, may seriously stop one from accessing the right to exercise religion.