There was a time when America was under the political rule of the Kingdom of Great Britain. After a violent struggle, America achieved freedom from British rule of 173 years. It was a time of great joy for the American people. It is said that an American citizen went out of his home to celebrate his newly-found freedom. He was walking on the street and swinging his hands in an unruly manner.
Because of this ecstatic movement he hit the nose of a passerby. The passerby asked irritably: “What is this nonsense? Why did you hit my nose?” The American replied: “Today America is free and I am exercising my freedom.” At this the passer-by remarked: “Yes, you are free. But your freedom ends where my nose begins.”
This is an illustrative event. It gives us the right definition of freedom. Freedom is everyone’s right, there is no doubt about it. But, freedom has some limits. Within its limits freedom is good, but without limitations freedom is reduced to anarchy.
The American psychologist B.F Skinner wrote a book in 1971 titled, Beyond Freedom and Dignity. When this book was published, B.F Skinner was featured on the cover of Time magazine’s September 20, 1971 issue. The caption read: B.F Skinner says: “We Can’t Afford Freedom.” What it means is that we cannot afford unlimited freedom. This is because the phenomenon of unlimited freedom creates problems which may jeopardize development.
In the eighteenth century, the movement for freedom started in the United States and France, which then spread to the rest of the world. This movement had risen as a reaction to monarchy. At that time, freedom was regarded as summum bonum. However, this thinking was against the natural laws. Nature gives you freedom, but with certain limitations. Freedom is good but unlimited freedom is bad. The freedom movement had opened up a Pandora’s Box. Now the greatest problem facing the modern age is how to close this Pandora’s Box.
According to Islam, freedom is a God-given right to every human being. However, this right also comes with the responsibility of not abusing freedom. The proper use of freedom is the greatest good, but misuse of freedom is the greatest evil.
