Religious Tolerance in Islam
http://www.theislamiccenter.com/AlNur.5.02/tolerance.html
By Dr. Abdullah M. Khouj
The violent religious disputes that reoccur in world history have their roots in a lack of tolerance, and particularly, in a lack of religious tolerance. Today, the world’s deep need for tolerance and human equity is clear. But, tolerance and human equity are the fruit of Divine Knowledge in its pure form. Allah provided mankind with Divine Knowledge so that we might understand ourselves, and understand our role in human society, and, thus, develop human relations that are based on tolerance and equity.
The Qur’an is filled with verses that urge Muslims to practice tolerance toward non-Muslims. More than that, the Divine Knowledge of the Qur’an embodies principles which are useful to every individual, Muslim and non-Muslim, in developing human relations which can manage human differences and calm religious intolerance in a pluralistic society.
The major sources of Islam, the Qur’an and the Sunnah, recommend and promote tolerance, as do the historical accounts of the Caliphs who followed the Prophet’s (pbuh) example. These sources not only recommend the practice of tolerance of Muslims toward each other, but also of Muslims with non-Muslims within an Islamic society.
The Qur’an sets the groundwork for human relations in kindness and the best of behaviors. Allah states that one of His objectives in creating humanity is that men should interact on the best of terms.
“O mankind! We created
You from a single (pair)
Of a male and a female,
And made you into
Nations and tribes, that
Ye may know each other
(Not that ye may despise
Each other). Verily,
The most honored of you
In the sight of God
Is (he who is) the most
Righteous of you.
And God has full knowledge
And is well acquainted
(With all things).” [49:13]
And later:
We have created man
In the best of molds. [95:4]
These verses confirm that we are all of one origin, and that there is a fundamental bond between all of us. This bond is firmly secured by piety, the fear of God in one’s heart. As the Prophet (pbuh) emphasized in his farewell speech:
“O people! Your Lord is One. Your Father is One. You all belong to Adam; and Adam was from dust. The most honored of you before God is the one with piety. There is no preference of an Arab over a non-Arab; nor is there a preference of a non-Arab over an Arab, or a red on a white, or a white over a red; except with piety.”
Piety
Piety eliminates any type of racial, social, or national discrimination. Religious discrimination is completely incompatible with Islam. Islam was revealed in a part of the world, and at a time, when the majority of people were polytheists. Islam came and showed people the need to believe in one God, as the only way to understand themselves, and to improve their lives. Allah confirmed to the Prophet (pbuh) that we must believe all previous messengers, and that we must reach a level of understanding with other religions. He says:
“Say ye: ‘We believe
In God, and the revelation
Given to us, and to Abraham,
smail, Isaac, Jacob,
And the Tribes, and that given
To Moses and Jesus, and that given
To (all) Prophets from their Lord:
We make no difference
Between one and another of them:
And we bow to God in Islam.’” [2:136]
And, when a Muslim discusses religion with a non-Muslim, Allah enjoin us to speak with reason and good manners:
“And dispute ye not
With the People of the Book,
Except with means better
(Than mere disputation), unless
It be with those of them
Who inflict wrong (and injury):
But say, ‘We believe
In the Revelation which has
Come down to us and in that
Which came down to you;
Our God and your God
Is One; and it is to Him
We bow (in Islam).’” [29:46]
Indeed, Allah requires us to ensure than religious discussion never be allowed to become violent:
“Let there be no compulsion
In religion: Truth stands out
Clear from Error: Whoever
Rejects Evil and believes
In God hath grasped
The most trustworthy
Hand-hold, that never breaks.
And God heareth
And knoweth all things. [2:256]
Muslims in the United States
The Prophet (pbuh) taught his companions that their actions and deeds must reflect their inner convictions, and must demonstrate their self-unity – a unity developed through their firm belief in Allah, His angels and His messengers, in the revealed books, and in the hereafter. The Prophet (pbuh) himself always observed his own behavior, to ever make his conduct more congruent with Islamic principles. In this way, the Muslim becomes a living inspiration to others. As he says: “The believer is a mirror of his brother’s behavior.”
This is especially important for Muslims in America. The United States is a melting pot society. In the USA the need for tolerance grows daily, due to ever-increasing racial, ethnic, and religious pressure. When people arrive in a new country like America, they often cling together and form their own groups to preserve their cultural individuality and traditions. If they recognize only their own norms and not those of others, or if others refuse to recognize their cultural individuality, then cultural tension and intolerance is bred.
If we keep the principles of Islam always in mind, then we will be able to control our behavior and actions even in an environment of tension and intolerance. For example, if someone swears at us and wants confrontation, we must discipline our feelings and show the swearer our own good manners – “Sticks and stones my break my bones, but words can never harm me,” as the saying goes. By demonstrating that swearing and confrontation are not solutions, we perhaps can convince the swearer that self-control and reason is the better way to deal with difficult situations. Perhaps, he will even become aware of his foolishness, and correct his behavior.
The principles of Islam are the key to understanding ourselves. And, self-understanding is the most important way to promote better interpersonal relationships. With this we can recognize the beauty within ourselves, and the beauty in others and in our relationships with them. To teach self-control and tolerance, one must set an example, and, more often than not, one must take the lead.
This article is adapted from Dr. Khouj’s 1992 book, Religious Tolerance in Islam. For a copy of that book, please contact the Islamic Center.
