Islam Creator of the Modern Age
4. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
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from 531 to 579. Chosroes I was known as one of the
just rulers of Persia, but even during his reign, a
courtier was once bludgeoned to death in the Court
at the instance of the King simply for having dared
to criticize the royal policy. Such a punishment was
not an exception. Any criticism or difference of
opinion amounted to treason. In fact, the mildest
punishment for this crime was instant execution.
Not only did Islam advocate freedom of thought
and speech with unmistakable earnestness, but it
also wrought such social changes as emboldened
the people to break with ancient practices, thus
enabling them to openly express their differences
with and criticism of their chiefs and rulers.
The Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him,
may have had the status of a political ruler in
Arabia, but still he lived like any other ordinary
man, and everyone was free to express himself in
his presence. One such instance occurred on the
Badr expedition. During the journey, the Prophet
decided to encamp at a particular place. At that
point a man by the name of Khabbab ibn al-
Mundhir approached him and asked; “Have you
