Islam and secularism: historical and textual compatibility

The debate on the place of Islam in France regularly returns to the public space. Some see it as a tension with secularism, even though the latter does not target religions, but the neutral organization of the State. However, when we examine Islamic sources and the history of Muslims, something is obvious: Islam intrinsically possesses the principles allowing it to fully coexist with a secular framework such as that of the French Republic.

Freedom of belief: a Koranic pillar that joins the spirit of secularism

The Koran strongly affirms the free and personal character of faith:“No constraint in religion” (Quran 2:256) This founding verse poses an absolute principle: faith cannot be imposed. Islam joins here the foundation of French secularism: freedom of conscience. The Quran reaffirms this individual choice: “The truth is from your Lord. Whoever wants, let him believe, and whoever wants, let him disbelieve. » (Quran 18:29); The freedom to believe or not to believe is therefore fully recognized by the revealed texts.

Neutrality and protection: a prophetic practice before the letter

In Medina, the Prophet Muhammad (SWAS) led a plural society where Muslims, Jews, Christians and polytheists coexisted. The Charter of Medina is often presented as one of the first pluralist civic pacts. He claimed :“Whoever harms a protected non-Muslim, I will be his adversary on the Day of Judgment. » (Hadith reported by Abu Dawud). This hadith enshrines the protection of minorities, a principle that French secularism also holds at its heart.

A deeply adaptable tradition — and for a long time without codified fiqh

We often forget that for nearly two and a half centuries after the Hegira, Muslims lived without the codified fiqh that we know today. The major legal schools (Hanafi, Malikite, Shafi’ite, Hanbalite) only appeared in the 2nd and 3rd centuries of Islam. Before that, believers organized their religious life based on:

• on the general principles of the Koran,

• on the prophetic example,

• on reason,

• and local customs.

This demonstrates that Islam has never been a rigid legal system, but a living tradition capable of integrating social contexts. This flexibility was theorized by the rule: “al-‘urf mu’tabar” — recognized custom. In other words: what is established in a society can be fully integrated into Muslim practice, as long as it does not contradict an explicit text. Jurists have summed it up with the maxim: “al-‘âda muhakkama” — custom is law. It is precisely this principle that allows Muslims in France today to fit within the secular republican framework. The Prophet said:“The Muslim must respect his commitments” (Hadith reported by al-Tirmidhî). Living in France therefore means respecting the laws of the country — which poses no theological problem.

French secularism: a protective framework

Often misunderstood, the 1905 law is based on three essential principles which structure the republican framework. The first is the neutrality of the State, which neither favors nor discriminates against any religion and guarantees a common political space for all. Then comes freedom of religion, which offers each citizen the right to practice their faith, to change it or to have none at all, without pressure or sanction.
Finally, the non-intervention of politics in religion ensures the autonomy of spiritual institutions and protects their independence from temporal power.

The Quran itself calls for living together:“O men! We created you from a male and a female, and We made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. » (Quran 49:13)

Islamic principles that join secularism

For its part, Islam is based on values ​​that converge with this framework. It first affirms freedom of conscience, based on the absence of religious constraint, since no one can be forced to believe. He also advocates the protection of minorities, as evidenced by many prophetic teachings. Islam also insists on respecting the laws of the country where believers live, as long as they are not asked to renounce their faith. Added to this is the taking into account of local custom (al-‘urf mu’tabar), a legal principle which makes it possible to integrate the uses of a society when they do not contradict the texts. Finally, Islam deeply values ​​living together and human fraternity, at the heart of its ethical and universal message.

Islam can not only adapt to secularism… it can live there peacefully.

Those who claim that Islam is incompatible with secularism ignore the historical and spiritual depth of this religion. The texts, prophetic practice and history of Muslims show on the contrary that Islam carries within it the springs of peaceful coexistence with a secular state. Far from caricatures, Islam can live fully in France, and contribute to society through its values ​​of justice, dignity, freedom of conscience and fraternity.