The freedom of following and practicing religion is guaranteed by the Qur’an. So, no Muslim can coerce anyone into embracing Islam.
There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. (Quran 2:256).
And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed – all of them entirely. Then, [O Muhammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers? (Quran 10:99)
Islam has designated certain aims for society which include protection of mind, belief, private property, security and government.
A society, by its very nature, demands the existence of certain rules and regulations as to what is and what is not acceptable in speech as well as in other spheres of life. Hence they have laws restricting the ‘amount of freedom’ that can exist in society. The concept of freedom of speech is therefore laden with ambiguity.
Alternatively, as those who believe in Allah (SWT)’s supremacy, we turn to the Guidance sent by Him (SWT):
We have set you on a plain way of commandment so follow it, and not the desires of those who have no knowledge (Quran 45:18).