![Suleymaniye Mosque in Eminönü District, Istanbul at sunrise/sunset](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/2025-12/mosque.jpg?itok=9As33EHx) 

# No Compulsion in Religion 

At a Glance 

The Qur’an famously declares, “*There is no compulsion in religion*” (2:256). Yet various forms of religious compulsion exist today across the Muslim world — from apostasy and blasphemy laws to morality police and the subjugation of women. This project explores and elucidates Islamic arguments against these grim “exceptions” to religious freedom. It advocates a faith grounded in free choice, not coercion.

Join the Conversation 

[\#CatoNoCompulsioninReligion](https://x.com/hashtag/CatoNoCompulsioninReligion)

Share This Topic 

![No Compulsion in Religion No Exceptions: Islamic Arguments for Religious Freedom. Book Cover](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block_book_cover_1x/public/2025-10/No%20Compulsion%20in%20Religion%20-%20FC_1.jpg?itok=dpCibpFn) 

### *[No Compulsion in Religion—No Exceptions: Islamic Arguments for Religious Freedom](https://www.cato.org/books/no-compulsion-religion-no-exceptions)*

Edited by Cato Institute Senior Fellow Mustafa Akyol, this book brings together a team of prominent Islamic scholars to elucidate the case for individual liberty in Islam. By highlighting insights from Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic jurisprudence, Muslim history, and contemporary trends in the Muslim world, they make the case for full-fledged religious freedom. They argue that the Qur’anic maxim “No compulsion in religion” should be embraced wholeheartedly, with no exceptions.

[Get the Book](/books/no-compulsion-religion-no-exceptions) 

This project was made possible through the support of a grant from [Templeton Religion Trust](https://templetonreligiontrust.org/).

#### Featured Content 

[![Image of book cover and title](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2021-09/mustafa_book_hp.jpg?itok=inFToeu-)](https://www.cato.org/books/why-muslim-i-defend-liberty) 

books 

### [Why, as a Muslim, I Defend Liberty](/books/why-muslim-i-defend-liberty) 

By [Mustafa Akyol](https://www.cato.org/people/mustafa-akyol) 

With personal stories, historical anecdotes, and theological insights, this is the little big book on the intersection of Islam and liberty.

[![Reopening Muslim Minds book cover](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2022-01/Blurb12-01-min.png?itok=pimuy7NY)](https://www.cato.org/books/reopening-muslim-minds) 

books 

### [Reopening Muslim Minds](/books/reopening-muslim-minds) 

By [Mustafa Akyol](https://www.cato.org/people/mustafa-akyol) 

A fascinating journey into Islam’s diverse history of ideas, making an argument for an “Islamic Enlightenment” today.

[![Taliban-Afghanistan.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2021-08/Taliban-Afghanistan.jpg?itok=5kMsCZlA)](https://www.cato.org/commentary/john-lockes-lesson-taliban) 

Commentary 

### [John Locke’s Lesson for the Taliban](/commentary/john-lockes-lesson-taliban) 

By [Mustafa Akyol](https://www.cato.org/people/mustafa-akyol) 

‘True and saving religion consists in the inward persuasion of the mind.’

#### Featured Media 

[ ![](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser_2x/public/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_39750.jpg?itok=S7F--Kkk) 

Mustafa Akyol discusses his Cato book event, “No Compulsion in Religion—No Exceptions: Islamic Arguments for Religious Freedom,” on *Afghanistan International TV* 

](/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/mustafa-akyol-discusses-cato-book-event-no-compulsion-religion-no) 

[ ![](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser_2x/public/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_37295.jpg?itok=ZrzYVAp9) 

Mustafa Akyol gives his presentation, “There is no compulsion in religion,” before the United Nations 

](/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/mustafa-akyol-gives-presentation-there-no-compulsion-religion-united) 

[ ![](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser_2x/public/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_16224.jpg?itok=4wNOAifO) 

Mustafa Akyol is featured in the debate, “Yasir Qadhi vs. Mustafa Akyol | Islam and the State,” hosted by the Acton Institute 

](/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/mustafa-akyol-featured-debate-yasir-qadhi-vs-mustafa-akyol-islam) 

[ ![](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser_2x/public/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_29890.jpg?itok=sdqv5rVc) 

Mustafa Akyol discusses the openness of the early Islamic civilization vs. the dictatorial rule of the Taliban on Afghanistan International (English) 

](/multimedia/media-highlights-tv/mustafa-akyol-discusses-openness-early-islamic-civilization-0)