Tolerance in Islam
Home » Articles » Current Topics » Tolerance in IslamWhat is tolerance? Literally the word “tolerance” means, “to bear”. As a concept it means “respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of the world’s cultures, forms of expression and ways of being human.” In Arabic it is called “Tasamuh”.
There are also other words that give similar meanings, such as “Hilm” (forbearance) or “‘`Afu” (pardon, forgiveness) or “Safh” (overlooking, disregarding). Tolerance is the opposite of extremism and fanaticism. The UNESCO describes tolerance as: “Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not mean toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one’s convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one’s own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behavior and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one’s views are not to be imposed on others.”
One of the major misconceptions is that people are categorized as tolerant when they do not care. But this is not the case in Islam. Tolerance according to Islam does not necessarily connote the concept that Muslims share all the beliefs of the people of other faiths. In the eyes of history, religious tolerance is the highest evidence of culture in any society. Most of the violent disputes and riots that occurred in the world history and are occurring in our today’s world have their profound roots in the lack of tolerance, and particularly, in the lack of the religious tolerance. One of the commonest allegations allocated to Islam historically is that it is an intolerant religion. Nonetheless, the tolerance within the body of Islam was, and is still, something without parallel in history. Class and race and color barriers are diminished and vanished by the prevalence of Islam. In a nutshell a total restoration of equality and justice incorporated with an overwhelming atmosphere of tolerance and freedom have been widely spread by the advent of Islam. Innumerable monasteries, with a wealth of treasure the worth of which has been calculated at not less than a hundred millions sterling, enjoyed the protection of Muslims throughout a wide range of areas ruled by Muslims in all eras of the Muslim history.
The various sects of Christians were represented in general Councils by their patriarchs, on the provincial and district council by their bishops, in the village council by their priests, whose word was always taken without a question with regard to issues which were the sole concern of their communities. In Egypt the Copts were on good terms with the Muslims in the first centuries of the Muslim conquest, and they are on good terms with the Muslims at the present day. In Syria the various Christian communities enjoyed good relations with the Muslims. Nothing can attest to that more than the great number of churches that widely spread all over Egypt; some of which date back to a time prior to the Muslim conquest. These good relations started in the first centuries of the Muslim conquest and are continuing up to the present day. In spite of that the charge of intolerance has been haunting Muslims everywhere since the beginning of Islam. Is this charge true or false?
To answer this question, since Islam is a textual religion, we shall elaborate on this issue in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah[1] and we will also look at some historical facts related thereto. One of the unique principal aspects of Islam, that has been established and maintained since the advent of Islam, is the concept of pluralism. Islam recognizes diversity. Allah said: ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ????? ?????????? ?????????????; “And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah (nation or community (following one religion i.e. Islâm)) but they will not cease to disagree;(11:118). Also Allah said: ”?????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ??????????????? ??? ??? ??????? ????????????? ??????????? ????? ???? ???????????? ???????? ?????????????? ????? ??????? ????? ?????????????” ;If Allâh had willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you; so compete in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allâh; then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ(5:48). Mutual coexistence is not a contemporary Muslim invention. To the contrary, throughout all the Muslim history Muslims have been mutually coexisting with others either in Muslim societies or otherwise. The Qur’an lays a solid foundation for such a mutual coexistence that gives no room for assimilation but all types of, and all steps that pave the way to, the positive integration. Allah said: ”??? ??????????? ??????? ???? ????????? ???? ?????????????? ??? ???????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ??????????? ??? ???????????? ???????????? ?????????? ????? ??????? ??????? ????????????” ;Allâh does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allâh loves those who deal with equity;(60:8).
In the above-mentioned verse, when talking about the way Muslims deal with non-Muslims, Allah significantly uses the term ‘Bir’. The same term has been applied in the context of children-parents relations. Taking into consideration the fact that, in conformity with the Islamic teachings, the pleasure of parents comes directly after the pleasure of Allah, it becomes self-evident that Islam provides the firmest foundation for coexistence and integration shunning all types of partiality and breaking all barriers of classifications. This meaning has been reiterated by stating the fact that all people come from one and the same being. Allah said: ” ??? ???????? ???????? ????????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ???? ??????? ????????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??????????? ?????? ??????? ??????????? ???? ????????????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????????? ???????? ” ;O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Hawwâ (Eve)) and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is Ever an All-Watcher over you.”(4:1) The Islamic juridical equity overwhelmed all individuals living under Islamic regime. It is reported that a Coptic man raced the son of a Muslim ruler in Egypt. The Coptic man won and as a result the son of the Muslim ruler hit him. The Coptic man covered a long distance from Egypt to the Arabian Peninsula to file a compliant to the Muslim Caliph who wrote a strongly worded letter summoning the Muslim ruler and his son to the Muslim Caliphate headquarters where the Coptic man was hosted. The Muslim Caliph summoned a Muslim gathering and gave the right of retaliation to the Coptic man who retaliated from the son of the Muslim ruler in front of the Muslim gathering. Then the Muslim Caliph said: “How do you enslave people when their mothers gave birth to them as free people”. The question is: The Coptic man covered such a long distance to complain. How much trust did he have in the Muslim Caliph prior to setting out to the Muslim Caliphate headquarters? What made him trust the Muslim Caliph? What rights did the Coptic enjoy under the regime of the Muslim Caliphate that encouraged the Coptic man to cover such a long distance to complain against a Muslim? In another event, as he could perceive that the number of Muslims was rapidly increasing and the mosque could not accommodate all Muslims, amr Ibn Al-Aas, offered to purchase the house neighboring the mosque. Upon the refusal of the landlady, he confiscated part of her house to enlarge the mosque. The non-Muslim landlady complained to the Muslim Caliph. On the spot the Muslim Caliph commanded Amr Ibn Al-Aas to give back the confiscated part and rebuild her house. Divine revelations come from one and the same source. Nevertheless, Muslims believe the Qur’an is the final divine word. Muslims believe that God has revealed his saving message to all of humankind over time. Five of such messages are known by names the Book of Abraham, the Torah, the Psalms, the Bible, and the Qur’an. The divine revelations went through a series of steps and the final step was that that was revealed to prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). To believe in the previously revealed books and the prophets preceding prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) forms an essential part of the Muslim faith.
Allah said: ” “;He (Allâh) has ordained for you the same religion (Islâmic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nûh (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) and that which We ordained for Ibrahîm (Abraham), Mûsa (Moses) and ‘Isâ (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the Mushrikûn , is that (Islâmic Monotheism) to which you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) call them. Allâh chooses for Himself whom He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance and in obedience”(42:13). In spite of certain discrepancies Muslims are obliged, by the virtue of what the Qur’an states, to cooperate among themselves and cooperate with people of other faiths. In a wonderful sketch Allah portrays the issue of cooperation and the limits thereof. Allah said: ” ?????? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ????????? ??????????? ???????? ????? ?????????? ???? ???????????? ???????? ???????? ???? ????????? ???????? ????? ????????????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????????????? ??? ??????????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ???????? ??? ?????? ????????? ???????? ??? ???????” ;O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allâh, nor of the Sacred Month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlanded people or animals, and others nor the people coming to the Sacred House (Makkah), seeking the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. But when you finish the Ihrâm (of Hajj or ‘Umrah), you may hunt, and let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping you from Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (at Makkah) lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment’;(5:2).
Muslims draw no distinctions among all the prophets. They believe in all the prophets. Muslims believe that God sent to every nation a prophet who conveyed the divine revelation and explained to his people how to worship Allah alone and to shun false gods. Twenty-five such prophets are mentioned by name in the Qur’an. Most of them have been identified as prophets in Christianity and are mentioned in the Bible. Among them are names like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Each prophet taught God’s will for the people at his time. The last of all the prophets is Muhammad (P.U.H.), whose message is limitless in terms of time and place. According to Islam, all prophets are brethren. Allah said: ” ???????? ??????? ???????? ????? ??????? ????????? ????? ??????? ????? ???????????? ?????????????? ?????????? ??????????? ???????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ????? ??????? ????????????? ??? ?????????? ??? ????????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ???????? ???? ??????????? “Say (O Muslims), “We believe in Allâh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrâhim (Abraham), Ismâ’il (Ishmael), Ishâq (Isaac), Ya’qûb (Jacob), and to Al-Asbât (the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya’qûb (Jacob)) and that which has been given to Mûsâ (Moses) and ‘Isâ (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islâm)(2:136).” Islam exhorts man to think. The prophets came to assist man’s positive inclinations and instincts enabling them to grow and develop in the right direction through the proper channels.
The Qur’an, the Muslim Holy Scripture, urges man to seek knowledge about Allah through His universal signs; the earth, the heavens and all that exists. This method has recently been called;The Law of Walking and Looking. In the Qur’an God frequently bids man to ponder over the universe. Allah said: ” ???? ????????? ?????? ??? ????????????? ?????????? ????? ??????? ???????? ??????????? ??? ?????? ???? ??????????? ” Say: “Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth” (10:101) (Yusuf Ali Trans.). In another place Allah said: ” ???? ???????? ????????? ??????????? ??? ????????? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ????????????? “ ;Say (to them O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) “I exhort you to one (thing) only: that you stand up for Allâh’s sake in pairs and singly, and reflect;(34:46) Again Allah said: ” ???? ??????? ??? ????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????????? ?????????? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? “ Say: “Travel in the land and see how (Allâh) originated creation, and then Allâh will bring forth the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death). Verily, Allâh is Able to do all things.”(29:20) Through appliance of our mental faculties we choose our faith. This right, in full conformity with the Islamic call to reasoning, is guaranteed by Islam. Allah said: ” ??? ????????? ??? ???????? ??? ?????????? ????????? ???? ???????? ?????? ???????? ????????????? ????????? ???????? ?????? ??????????? ????????????? ??????????? ??? ????????? ????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ” ;There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower;(2:256).
Throughout the Muslim history it has never been recorded that Islam was posed or people were forced to convert to Islam. In order to safeguard the Islamic call for reasoning and guarantee the freedom of choice Islam takes a further step in this regard. As a part of the Islamic comprehensive scheme of Justice for all, Islam makes it incumbent upon Muslim regimes to maintain the houses of worship under their protection. Allah said: ” ???????????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ????????? ????????????? ??????????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ??????????? ???????? ????????? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ????????????? ” ;Had it not been for Allah’s repelling some men by means of others, cloisters and churches and oratories and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is oft mentioned, would assuredly have been pulled down;(2:251) At this point it is essential to mark the fact that Muslims stroke the best example in this regard. Upon the Muslims conquest of Jerusalem ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, the second Muslim Caliph, had a dialogue with the Pope in the church. When Umar wanted to pray he went outside the church. The Pope asked: “Why do not you pray in the church; Umar I do not want Muslims afterwards to misinterpret my prayer as a hint that the church was part of the Muslim holy land. In such a multi-cultural and multi-faith society that Islam permits, dialogue is such an indispensable characteristic that the absence thereof could shake the foundation of solidarity and could cause a serious collapse. Dialogue, in Islam, should be held in the best manner. Allah said: ” ????? ??????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ????????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????????? ???????? ???????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ????????? ?????????? ??????????? ???????????? ??????? ???????? ???? ??????????? “ ; And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islâmic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong; and say (to them): “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Ilâh (God) and your Ilâh (God) is One (i.e. Allâh), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims).”(29:46) Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) interpreted this theory in practice and the Muslims followed his example. When Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) reached Medina he entered into treaties with the Jewish inhabitants. In an unprecedented event Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) permitted the Christian of Najran, upon ending their dialogue with him, to pray in his mosque. In a wonderful sketch the Qur’an depicts a unique event in the world history that is a vivid manifestation of the Islamic emotional tolerance.
Allah said: ” ???????? ???????? ??? ??????? ????????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ????????????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ????????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ???????? ??? ??????????? ” “The Romans have been defeated. In the nearer land (Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine), and they, after their defeat, will be victorious. Within three to nine years. The decision of the matter, before and after (these events) is only with Allâh, (before the defeat of Romans by the Persians, and after the defeat of the Persians by the Romans). And on that Day, the believers (i.e. Muslims) will rejoice (at the victory given by Allâh to the Romans against the Persians)-With the help of Allâh. He helps whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. (It is) a Promise of Allâh (i.e. Allâh will give victory to the Romans against the Persians), and Allâh fails not in His Promise, but most of men know not.(30:2-3-4-5-6) When the Persians defeated the Romans the Muslims were grieved as the Roman were Christian or people of the Book and the Persians were not. So Allah gave the Muslims the glad tiding that the Roman would be victorious within three to nine years.
Let no Muslim imagine that tolerance is a weakness in Islam. It is the greatest strength of Islam because it is the attitude of truth. Let no one think that tolerance is a contemporary innovation. To the contrary, it is one of the basic Islamic principles. It is a religious moral duty. By virtue of their Islamic obligations, Muslims are tolerant with their enemies, let alone their fellow Muslims. [1] Actions, sayings and approvals of prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.).
Parent page: Current Topics
