This article is designed to secure the right of free peaceful association which is, in fact, consequent upon the right to freedom of thought, opinion and expression. The need for its specific formulation has arisen in consequence of certain political and economic developments in recent times. Paragraph 2 of the article has direct reference to political and economic systems in which membership of certain parties, groups or organisations is sought to be secured or promoted through compulsion or coercion.
Islam stands firmly and uncompromisingly on freedom of conscience. It does not seek to secure even belief in God, which is the principal concern of religion, through compulsion or coercion. Much less does it obstruct free association for the achievement of beneficent and lawful purposes through peaceful methods. Indeed, it encourages and even enjoins such association and co-operation, but forbids co-operation in sin and transgression, which obviously cannot be described as “peaceful.”
“Co-operate with one another in the promotion of virtue and beneficence; but co-operate not with one another in fostering sin and transgression. Be mindful of your duty to Allah; surely, Allah is severe in retribution” (5:3).
Conspiracies are severely condemned; all association and conferring together must be for the promotion of beneficence. “O ye who believe, when you confer together in private, confer not for the commission of sin and transgression and disobedience to the Messenger, but confer for the promotion of virtue and beneficence, and be mindful of your duty to Allah unto Whom you shall be gathered. The holding of secret counsels for evil purposes proceeds from Satan, that he may cause sorrow to those who believe; but it cannot harm them in the least, except by Allah’s leave. In Allah should the believers put their trust” (58:10-11).
Three types of associations and conferences are encouraged as desirable and beneficent, namely, “those that are charitable, promote welfare and strengthen peace. Whoso does that, seeking the pleasure of Allah, We shall soon bestow on him a great reward” (4:115).