Right to Change One’s Religion: Human Rights Norms In Islamic Perspective

Islam claims that it is not a new religion founded by Mohammad (PBUH), but one which reaffirms the core tenets of belief in Oneness of God and individual human accountability in the Hereafter, that all true Messengers of Allah preached among all peoples of the world at all times, though the Shariah differed according to the space-time specific requirements. Mohammad, however, affirmed that he was the last Prophet and that Islam is the religion ordained by Allah for all mankind for all times to come, thus abrogating all previous religious creeds. In spite of such a claim of exclusive truth, the revelations received by Mohammad directed and assured him again and again that there could not be any compulsion in religion, as the Quran had made the right way distinct from the error, and it was for the individual to choose his creed in accordance with his reason and conscience.