Page 101 - Basic Tenets of Islam

HARUN YAHYA (ADNAN OKTAR)

Consequently, in no realm does the religion of Islam exert
pressure on people; on the contrary, it provides the basis
upon which true freedom of conscience can be established. A

person who adopts the values of the Qur'an can in no way be
bound. Since he lives in compliance with the morality of the
Qur'an which is the requirement of his faith of his own
accord, and through the exercise of his reason, he always
feels contented and at peace.
Those who do not adhere to these religious values, on the
other hand, can never attain the freedom believers enjoy, due
to the countless void norms and traditions that prevail in

society. Societies that fail to live according to the values of
Islam formulate false values and criteria themselves,
embracing taboos, and thereby, of their own doing, merely
limit the freedom endowed to them by Allah. This being the
case, those who are distant from the religion remain
deprived of spiritual freedom, due to inappropriate rules and
sanctions the society has imposed on them, as well as the
many principles they unnecessarily adopt themselves.
The main force binding man, greater than any law of
society, is the corruption of his own soul. Immoderate desires

are a source of continual anxiety to him. They foster in him
feelings of insecurity and fear of the future. Because of these
negative tendencies within himself, he becomes ensnared in
a difficult struggle with his various passions and desires. His
soul relentlessly commands him to accumulate more assets,
to make more money, or to win the admiration of others. Yet,

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