by Professor Dr. SHEIKH Aladdin Zaatari
The principles of religious tolerance are evident in Islam as follows:
- All celestial religions draw from the same source. Allah says: “He has ordained for you ˹believers˺ the Way which He decreed for Noah, and what We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ and what We decreed for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, ˹commanding:˺ “Uphold the faith, and make no divisions in it.” What you call the polytheists to is unbearable for them. Allah chooses for Himself whoever He wills, and guides to Himself whoever turns ˹to Him˺.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:13)
- All the prophets are brothers, and there is no distinction among them in terms of the origin of their messages. Muslims must believe in all of them. Allah says: “Say, ˹O believers,˺ “We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us; and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants; and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them. And to Allah we all submit.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:136). And Allah also says: “Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants; and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord—we make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we ˹fully˺ submit.” (Surah Aal-E-Imran 3:84).
- Compulsion is never to be imposed in matters of belief; rather, conviction and acceptance are necessary. Allah says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood. So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256). And Allah also says: “Had your Lord so willed ˹O Prophet˺, all ˹people˺ on earth would have certainly believed, every single one of them! Would you then force people to become believers?” (Surah Yunus 10:99).
- The places of worship for divine religions are respected and must be defended and protected, just as the mosques of Muslims are protected. Allah says: “Had Allah not repelled ˹the aggression of˺ some people by means of others, destruction would have surely claimed monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which Allah’s Name is often mentioned. Allah will certainly help those who stand up for Him. Allah is truly All-Powerful, Almighty.” (Surah Al-Hajj 22:40)
- Differences among people in their religions should not lead to aggression against one another. Rather, it is their duty to cooperate in doing good and confronting evil. Allah says: “Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is severe in punishment.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:2).“
- The final judgment on the differences among people in matters of faith belongs solely to Allah. He will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. “The Jews say, “The Christians have nothing to stand on” and the Christians say, “The Jews have nothing to stand on,” although both recite the Scriptures. And those ˹pagans˺ who have no knowledge say the same ˹about people of faith˺. Surely Allah will judge between them on the Day of Judgment regarding their dispute.“ (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:113)
- The differentiation among people in life is based on the extent of their contributions to themselves and their communities, in terms of goodness and righteousness for humanity. Allah says: “O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13). And the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ‚All of humanity is the family of Allah, and the most beloved of them to Allah is the one who benefits his family the most.‘ (Reported by Al-Bazzar).
- Differences in religion should not prevent acts of kindness, charity, hospitality, and maintaining good relationships with others. Allah says: “Today all good, pure foods have been made lawful for you. Similarly, the food of the People of the Book is permissible for you and yours is permissible for them. And ˹permissible for you in marriage˺ are chaste believing women as well as chaste women of those given the Scripture before you—as long as you pay them their dowries in wedlock, neither fornicating nor taking them as mistresses. And whoever rejects the faith, all their good deeds will be void ˹in this life˺ and in the Hereafter they will be among the losers” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:5) And Allah also says: “Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair.” (Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:8)
- Those who differ in matters of religion should engage in discussions with one another using the best manners, etiquette, and persuasive arguments. Allah says: “Do not argue with the People of the Book unless gracefully, except with those of them who act wrongfully. And say, “We believe in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to you. Our God and your God is ˹only˺ One. And to Him we ˹fully˺ submit.” (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:46)
- Do not use offensive language with those who hold different beliefs, and it is forbidden to insult their religious beliefs, even if they are polytheists, let alone if they belong to the People of the Scripture. Allah says: “˹O believers!˺ Do not insult what they invoke besides Allah or they will insult Allah spitefully out of ignorance. This is how We have made each people’s deeds appealing to them. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them of what they used to do” (Surah Al-An’am 6:108).“
- If aggression occurs against the Muslim community concerning their faith, it becomes obligatory to defend against that aggression to protect the faith and prevent discord. Allah says: “Fight against them ˹if they persecute you˺ until there is no more persecution, and ˹your˺ devotion will be to Allah ˹alone˺. If they stop ˹persecuting you˺, let there be no hostility except against the aggressors.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:193) And Allah also says: “Allah only forbids you from befriending those who have fought you for ˹your˺ faith, driven you out of your homes, or supported ˹others˺ in doing so. And whoever takes them as friends, then it is they who are the ˹true˺ wrongdoerss.” (Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:9)
- When the Muslim community achieves victory over those who aggress against them in matters of faith or seek to rob them of their freedom, it is not permissible to seek revenge by forcing them to abandon their religion or persecuting them for their beliefs.
These are the principles of the true religion in tolerance and coexistence. They were practiced during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and in later periods after the revelation of the Quran, in various regions where we live.
Today, we remind ourselves, our brethren, and all of humanity of these principles, to make them a working document and a way of life; especially as the prevailing conditions demand such a call, with chaos spreading, enmity prevailing, and unjust bloodshed and destruction taking place without any logical or religious justification.
The time has come, the time has come for us to live in peace and tranquility.
