Islam and Tolerance Towards Other Religions

By Faheem Usmani Qasmi, Mumbai

Thursday, 24 October 2019

To understand the spirit of Islam is to understand the very sprit of humanity. More
than a religion Islam is a complete and comprehensive way of life that ensures a
balanced way of living. Islam establishes peace, harmony and happiness to every
individual human being. Islamic principles and teachings can provide realistic, fair
and objective solutions to the prevention of individual, familial, social and
international problems which are threatening the existence of human communities
throughout the world.

Islam is the same way that was practiced by all the prophets sent down by Allah
(swt) including the last messenger Muhammad (saws) and which Allah (swt) has
chosen for all mankind till the last day. He says in the holy Qur’an, “He had
ordained for you people the same religious as He had enjoined upon Nuh, and that
which have revealed to you (O prophet), and that We had enjoined upon Ibrahim
and Musa and Isa by saying “Establish the religion, and be not divided therein.”
Arduous for the mushriks (polytheists) is that to which you are inviting them. Allah
chooses (and pulls) toward Himself anyone He wills, and guides to Himself anyone
who turns to Him (to seek guidance).” (Ash-Shura:13)

Islam is a religion that always been liked by Allah and all His prophets as He
cleared in His book, “Truly the (recognized) religion in the sight of Allah is Islam”.
(Al-Imran:19)

Being a complete way of life Islam promotes a healthy, wealthy and well-
disciplined lifestyle in every sense of the world. It forbids the things which may
harm this sprit. Islam gives utmost freedom to every individual human to be with
his own choice regarding his faith and belief.

Allah (swt) says in the glorious Qur’an, “And say the truth is from your Lord.
Now, whoever so mills may believe and whoever so wills may deny. Surly, We
have prepared for the unjust a fire, whose tent will envelop them.”(Kahaf :29)

As Islam is the divine religion for the whole mankind but it never forces the people
to embrace it by any means rather it respects all the religions equally. It is declared
in the holy Qur’an, “There is no compulsion in Faith. The correct way has become
distinct from the erroneous. Now, whoever rejects the Taghut (the Rebel, the Satan)
and believes in Allah has a firm grasp on the strongest ring that never breaks. Allah
is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Al-Imran: 256)

Islam never brought the people forcefully into its teachings as the prophet
Muhammd (saws) was never ordered by Allah to impose Islamic teachings upon
the people by power of sword. When we look at the Qur’an it clearly outlines the
duty of His messengers by saying: “The duty of our messenger is only to convey
Message. Allah knows what you disclose and what you conceal.”(Al-Maidah: 99)

Once the people of Makkah said to the prophet Muhammad (saws) that if Allah did
not want to worship idols then why He does not forcefully prevent them from
doing so. Then Allah sent the following message:

“The polytheists said, “If Allah had so willed, we would gave not worshipped
anything other than Him – neither we nor our forefathers – nor we would have
made anything unlawful without (a command from) Him.” Similar was the
reaction of those who were before them. Therefore, the messengers’ obligation is
no more than to convey the message clearly.” (An-Nahl: 35)

Over a couple of days ago we all have witnessed a religious clash on social media
as there have been many trends on Twitter that triggered a sort of war of words
amongst the religious outfits. Hindu extremists tried to defame the prophet
Muhammad (saws) and his followers even they did not remain behind to revile the
prophet and accuse him with baseless allegations. This is indeed a blot on our
communal harmony and religious tolerance.

As for the Islamic perspective in terms to respect other religions and religious
entities, is very clear as it is said in the holy Qur’an, “Do not revile those whom
they invoke other than Allah, lest they should revile Allah in transgression without
having knowledge. This is how We have made the deeds of every community
attractive in their sight.

Every individual, whatever religion he follows, has a selfless devotion for his
religion, god, prophet deity, temple and idol, and he fells hatred for those who
abuse any of them and eventually it leads him to indulge in violent activities. Then
it brings devastating outcomes for the nation and the country.

If we go through the pages of history we find that the first caliph of Muslims,
Hazrat Abubakar (rz) issued very clear guidelines for his commanders in respect of
tolerance for other religions, “Do not demolish any synagogue or church and do
not destroy any building in which they take shelter during wars.”

Similarly all the caliphs of Islam not only devised but also controlled the general
policy and laid down the rules for administrating the newly conquered territories
and respectfully treated with its people. Accordingly the conquered masses were
left undisturbed in their religion, community life and properties.

The general policy in Islam is to guarantee full rights to non-Muslims populations

and therefore people subscribing to other religions were granted full civic rights by
the virtue of the Qur’an and through the application of the prophet Muhammad
(saws). Non-Muslim population living within Muslim communities was granted
peaceful and prosperous life through guaranteeing security for both their lives and
properties.

Qur’an also states in, “Good and evil are not equal. Repel (evil) with what is best,
and you will see that the one you had mutual enmity with him will turn as if he
were a close friend.” (Ha-Mim: 34) The prophet (saws) set its practical example by
his unparalleled behaviour when he conquered Makkah, his beloved homeland.
The extent of his mercy and forgiveness on that occasion is surprising.

What would you do to someone who had even taken life of your family members,
tortured your friends or made your life tremendously intolerable? How many of us
can actually believe that we can forgive such a person? It would really be hard. But
the prophet (saws) proved that. Even though he was exiled from his home, hated
and despised by his enemies, who killed his family members, tortured his
companions, and made his life painful it is hard to think that the prophet (saws)
would forgive such people.

They were completely vulnerable at his disposal and he had every right to seek
revenge on these non-Muslims for what they did to him, for near enough two
decades. From this part of Muhammad’s (pbuh) life there are crucial vital lessons
and teachings, wisdom to understand the actual meaning of tolerance and better to
implement to build a peaceful united society and environment.