ISLAM AND TOLERANCE

ISLAM AND TOLERANCE

Islam is a religion of peace – peace to humanity and one and all. It is a religion to lead mankind from the depths of darkness and ignorance towards the path of light and knowledge. The literal meaning of Islam, derived from the Arabic word Salaam, means peace. The word “Islam” has another root derivation – Slim – which means surrender or submission. In short, Islam means peace acquired by humans by submitting their will to the Will of Allah.

Moreover, Islam not only fosters love between fellow Muslims; rather it is a merciful for all of humankind. The “peace” of Islam has got many dimensions: peace with Allah, peace with society and peace with all of mankind irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Islam guides people to the path of non-violence and tolerance and shows the path of righteousness and piety.

Coming to the point, a religion with such high values enshrined in its very name is misunderstood by the bulk of humans as violent and intolerant. If any Muslim commits a wrong, it is directly or indirectly attributed to Islam. The misinterpretation of many mischievous people has given a bad name to this “religion of peace”. But, at this critical point, people should know that Islam is not what X or Y says. It is not this scholar’s or that scholar’s interpretation; Islam is what the Holy Scripture – the Quran says and what Muhammad– the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) of Islam says. They are the two primary sources of Islam.

Islam is against compulsion in religion

It is enshrined in the the Holy Quran that there is no compulsion in Islam. Muslims are prohibited to force people of other faiths to accept Islam. There is no tolerance for one who forces another person to submit to his/ her will and convert to the religion unwillingly. Allah says:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things. ”[Sura Baqara 2:256]

This is the foundation for tolerance towards any and every religion and their people. There is no force and no compulsion on any individual to accept Islam. If he or she wants to accept Islam, it has to be necessarily out of their own free will and not at the point of sword. This is the essence of Islam. Islam is an open invitation to mankind and they have the full right either to accept it or to reject it.

Islam is non-violent and tolerant

Violence is not in the dictionary of Islam. There is no place for violence, neither in the Holy Quran nor in the Sunnah (Prophetic traditions). It is mentioned at several places in the Holy Quran that Allah does not like those who spread mischief on this earth. One such verse is:

“…Allah does not love those who do mischief…”[Sura Mai’dah 5:64]. “Mischief”, in Arabic is Fasad, and it can refer to murder, corruption, evil and violence. So, when Allah does not like those who spread violence, how can He legislate violence in His Deen? These two opposites can never exist in Islam.

Moreover, the biggest violence – killing innocent people – is repudiated in such strong words the likes of which are found in no other religious scripture:

“…if any one kills a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed the whole humanity: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole humanity…”[Sura Mai’dah 5:31]

This verse explicitly denounces any innocent killing. Even in retaliation or in war, Muslims are not supposed to kill innocent people. In a Hadith (Prophetic Tradition), Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)  said: 

“Go out in the name of Allah and by the help of Allah, following the way of the Messenger of Allah. Do not kill any old man, infant, child or woman… spread goodness and do good, for Allah loves those who do good.”(Abu Dawood).

At other place in the Holy Quran, Allah asks the believer to keep the door for peace wide open. The door of peace is open all the time in Islam, even in a battle field. Allah says, “… If the enemy incline towards peace, you (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah…”[Sura Anfal 8:61].

Even in retaliation, a Muslim is not supposed to transgress. If you have been wronged by some person, you have no right to wrong them or any other person to take revenge. And, if you are helpless and unable to do anything, Islam orders you to cling to patience. There is no permission for violence, whatsoever, in Islam at any point of time. Reflecting on the following Hadith:

 "If anyone harms (others), Allah will harm him, and if anyone shows hostility to others, Allah will show hostility to him." (Abu Dawood), makes it clear that complete tolerance, peace and perseverance are the virtues ascribed by the religion.

Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious moral duty. It does not mean “concession, condescension or indulgence.” It does not mean lack of principles, or lack of seriousness about one’s principles. Sometimes it is said, “people are tolerant of things that they do not care about.” But this is not the case in Islam. Tolerance according to Islam does not mean that we believe that all religions are the same. It does not mean that we do not believe in the supremacy of Islam over other faiths and ideologies. It does not mean that we do not convey the message of Islam to others and do not wish them to become Muslims.

The UNESCO principles on tolerance say:

“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.”

Tolerance comes from our recognition of:

1. the dignity of the human beings,
2. the basic equality of all human beings,
3. universal human rights, and
4. fundamental freedom of thought, conscience and belief.

The Qur’an speaks about the basic dignity of all human beings. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke about the equality of all human beings, regardless of their race, color, language or ethnic background. Shari`ah recognizes the rights of all people to life, property, family, honor and conscience.

Islam emphasizes the establishment of equality and justice, both of these values cannot be established without some degree of tolerance. Islam recognized from the very beginning the principle of freedom of belief or freedom of religion. It said very clearly that it is not allowed to have any coercion in the matters of faith and belief. The Qur’an says,(There is no compulsion in religion) (Al-Baqarah 2:256).

If in the matters of religion, coercion is not permissible, then by implication one can say that in other matters of cultures and other worldly practices it is also not acceptable. Insurat Ash-Shura Allah says to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), (If then they turn away, We have not sent you as a guard over them. Your duty is but to convey (the Message)…) (Ash-Shura 42:48). In another place Allah says,(Invite (all) to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. Your Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance) (An-Nahl 16:125).

Further, Allah says to the Believers, (Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and beware (of evil): if you do turn back, know then that it is Our Messenger’s duty to proclaim (the Message) in the clearest manner) (Al-Ma’idah 5:92).

One can also cite Allah’s words:(Say: ‘Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger: but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on right guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only to preach the clear (Message))(An-Nur 24:54).

All these verses give note that Muslims do not coerce people; they must present the message to them in the most cogent and clear way, invite them to the truth and do their best in presenting and conveying the message of God to humanity, but it is up to people to accept or not to accept. Allah says, (And say, ‘The truth is from your Lord, so whosoever wants let him believe and whosoever wants let him deny’) (An-Nahl 16:29).

The question then comes: If Allah gave choice to believe or not to believe, then why did He punish the people of Prophet Nuh, the `Ad, the Thamud, the people of Prophet Lut, the people of Prophet Shu`ayb and Pharaoh and his followers? The answer is in the Qur’an itself. Those people were not punished simply because of their disbelief. They were punished because they had become oppressors. They committed aggression against the righteous, and stopped others to come to the way of Allah. There were many in the world who denied Allah, but Allah did not punish every one. Ibn Taymiyyah, the outstanding Muslim scholar, said, “The states may live long in spite of their people’s unbelief (kufr), but they cannot live long when their people become oppressors.”

Another question is raised about Jihad. Some people say, “Is it not the duty of Muslims to make Jihad?” But the purpose of Jihad is not to convert people to Islam. Allah says, (No compulsion in religion) (Al-Baqarah 2:256). The real purpose of Jihad is to remove injustice and aggression. Muslims are allowed to keep good relations with non-Muslims. Allah says,(Allah does not forbid you that you show kindness and deal justly with those who did not fight you in your religion and did not drive you out from your homes…) (Al-Mumtahinah 60:8).

Islam teaches that fighting is only against those who fight. Allah says,(Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors)(Al-Baqarah 2:190).

Islam may tolerate anything, but it teaches zero tolerance for injustice, oppression, and violation of the rights of other human beings. Allah says, (And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women, and children, whose cry is: ‘Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from Yourside one who will protect; and raise for us from Yourside one who will help!’) (An-Nisaa’ 4:75).

Islam teaches tolerance on all levels: individual, groups and states. It should be a political and legal requirement. Tolerance is the mechanism that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), and the rule of law. The Qur’an says very clearly: (To every People have We appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow, let them not then dispute with you on the matter, but do invite (them) to your Lord: for you are assuredly on the Right Way. If they do wrangle with you, say, ‘God knows best what it is you are doing.’ ‘God will judge between you on the Day of Judgment concerning the matters in which you differ’) (Al-Hajj 21:76-69).

There are many levels of tolerance:

a. Between family members, between husband and wife, between parents and children, between siblings etc.

b. Tolerance between the members of the community: tolerance in views and opinions, tolerance between the madhahib(Islamic Juristic Schools).

c. Tolerance between Muslims and the people of other faiths (interfaith relations, dialogue and cooperation).

Muslims have been generally very tolerant people. We must emphasize this virtue among us and in the world today. Tolerance is needed among our communities: We must foster tolerance through deliberate policies and efforts. Our centers should be multi-ethnic. We should teach our children respect of each other. We should not generalize about other races and cultures. We should have more exchange visits and meetings with each other. Even marriages should be encouraged among Muslims of different ethnic groups.

With non-Muslims we should have dialogue and good relations, but we cannot accept things that are contrary to our religion. We should inform them what is acceptable to us and what is not. With more information, I am sure the respect will develop and more cooperation will develop.