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Tolerance: Islamic Perspective
The Spirit of Tolerance in Islam
Intolerance is on the increase in the world today. It is causing
death, genocide, violence, religious persecution as well as
confrontations on different levels. Sometimes it is racial and
ethnic, sometimes it is religious and ideological, sometimes it
is political and social. In every situation it is evil and
painful. How can we solve the problem of intolerance? How can we
assert our own beliefs and positions without being intolerant to
others? How can we bring tolerance in the world today? Some of
these issues from an Islamic point of view will be discussed.
What is tolerance? Literally the word "tolerance" means "to
bear." As a concept it means "respect, acceptance and
appreciation of the rich diversity of 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 "'afw" (pardon,
forgiveness) or "safh" (overlooking, disregarding). In the
Persian and Urdu languages, we use the word "rawadari" which
comes from 'rawa" meaning 'acceptable or bearable' and 'dashtan'
meaning 'to hold'. Thus it means to hold something acceptable or
bearable.
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
Superiority of Islam over other faiths and ideologies. It does
not mean that we do not present the message of Islam and do not
wish others to become Muslims.
The UNESCO principles on tolerance says:
"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: the dignity of the human beings, the basic
equality of all human beings, universal human rights fundamental
freedom of thought, conscience and belief.
The Qur'an speaks about the basic dignity of all
human beings. The Prophet -peace be upon him- spoke about the
equality of all human beings, regardless of their race, color
language or ethnic background. The Sharī_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 does not allow coercion in 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. In Sūrah al-Shura
Allah says to the Prophet -peace 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)_. (al-Shura 42:48)
In another place Allah says, "Invite (all) to the Way of your
Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and discuss with them
in ways that are best and most gracious. Your Lord knows best,
who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (al-Nahl
16:125)
Further He 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)
We also read in the Qur'an, "The worshippers of false gods say:
'If Allah had so willed, we should not have worshipped aught but
Him - neither we nor our fathers, nor should we have prescribed
prohibitions other than His.' So did those who went before them.
But what is the mission of the Messengers but to preach the
Clear Message? (al-Nahl 16:35)
Or one can read,
"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)'." (al-Nur 24:54)
All these verses give this important point that do not coerce
people, present the message to them in the most cogent and clear
way, invite them to the truth and do your best in presenting and
conveying the message of God to humanity, but it is up to them
the 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." (al-Nahl 18:29)
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 Aad, the Thamud, the people of prophet Lut, the people of
prophet Shu'aib 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.
A great scholar Ibn Taymiyah 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, "La ikraha fi al-din, 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 Your side one who will protect; and raise for
us from Your side one who will help!" (al-Nisa' 4:75)
Islam teaches tolerance on all levels: individual, groups and
states. It should be a political and legal requirement.
Tolerance is the responsibility 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 22:76-69)
There are many levels of tolerance:
Between family members, between husband and wife, between
parents and children, between siblings etc.
Tolerance between the members of the community: tolerance in
views and opinions, tolerance between the Madhahib
Tolerance between Muslims and the people of other faiths
(interfaith relations, dialogue and cooperation)
Muslims are 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 respect will develop and more cooperation
will develop.
By Muzzamil Siddiqi (Summary of a talk given at the Muslim
Community Mosque in Ottawa, Canada on April 24, 1999)
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