Absolute Individual Freedom
By coming to the subject of absolute individual freedom, we have come to where Islam ceases to be a religion in a narrow sense and becomes a way of life which leads every individual to his genuine self, or say his individuality and originality. Indeed, the search for individuality or originality is a world-wide phenomenon. Individuality and originality find their highest expression in absolute individual freedom. But what do we mean by absolute individual freedom? Absolute individual freedom means that a man thinks as he wills, says what he thinks and does what he says with the proviso that the consequences of what he does or says are for the good of all beings, human and otherwise. But the stage of absolute individual freedom is, of course, preceded by the stage of limited freedom within a given society. This freedom in society means that a man thinks as he wills, says what he thinks, and does what he says with the proviso that he should not infringe upon the freedom of others. If he does, he should bear the consequences of his actions, lest freedom degenerates into anarchy. Any infringement upon the freedom of others is dealt with by a constitutional law. The constitutionality of law, according to the Second Message of Islam, means that a law must successfully reconcile the individual’s need for absolute individual freedom with society’s claim of total social justice.
This conception of constitutionality greatly helps in the construction of the good society which rests on the good society which rests on the three pillars of economic, political and social equalities. That kind of society coupled with the individual method of worship is the surest and only way for every one to realize his genuine individuality.
That being said, we can now proceed to discuss the individual method every man must use in his endeavor to attain absolute individual freedom.
