Bismillah, As Salaam Alaikum
The practice of tolerance is part of the Muslim character. The practice of intolerance is demonstrated when Masjid officials block worshipper' access to the Masjid by coercion and dictate, without any Sharia due process, or proving them guilty of any punishable offense.
Excerpts:
"Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious moral duty."
"Tolerance is the mechanism that upholds human rights, pluralism
(including cultural pluralism), and the rule of law."
(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...."
"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..."
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke about the equality of all human beings..."
"Shari`ah recognizes the rights of all people to life, property,
family, honor and conscience."
family, honor and conscience."
"Islam emphasizes the establishment of equality and justice, both of
these values cannot be established without some degree of tolerance. "
these values cannot be established without some degree of tolerance. "
"...in the matters of religion, coercion is not permissible..."
"...Muslims do not coerce people..."
"Allah says, 'And say, 'The truth is from your Lord, so whosoever
wants let him believe and whosoever wants let him deny' "
wants let him believe and whosoever wants let him deny' "
Peace, Curtis Sharif
Houston, Texas
From: "Abu Nabhan" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Mon May 8, 2006 5:57am(PDT)
Subject: Spirit of Tolerance in Islam
Spirit of Tolerance in Islam
Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious moral duty.
Muslims are tolerant with their enemies, let alone their fellow
Muslims. 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.
Date: Mon May 8, 2006 5:57am(PDT)
Subject: Spirit of Tolerance in Islam
Spirit of Tolerance in Islam
Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious moral duty.
Muslims are tolerant with their enemies, let alone their fellow
Muslims. 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).
Intolerance is on the increase in the world today, causing death,
genocide, violence, religious persecution as well as confrontations on
different levels. Some times it is racial and ethnic, some times it is
religious and ideological, other times 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 into the world today?
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. In surat 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-Maidah 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-
Intolerance is on the increase in the world today, causing death,
genocide, violence, religious persecution as well as confrontations on
different levels. Some times it is racial and ethnic, some times it is
religious and ideological, other times 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 into the world today?
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. In surat 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-Maidah 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-
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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