The Meaning of “Tolerance,” Which Is the Basis of Modern Civilization - by Farah Antun (original) (raw)

Understanding Religious Tolerance in Islamic Perspective

This paper attempts to explore religious tolerance through the lens of Western and Islamic philosophy. Understanding tolerance and peaceful coexistence is an urgent need in this pluralistic and conflict-ridden world. Tolerance and respect toward others " right to practise one " s religion is even considered an important aspect of the human rights issue. The concept of tolerance is clearly developed in Islam and the teachings of Prophet. But the 09/11 attack in the US and the emergence of Islamic extremists / terrorists groups such as Taliban, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram and ISIS and their atrocities show to the world that the philosophy of Islamic teachings basically lead to intolerance, disharmony and extremism and rejects religious diversity and pluralism. Further, those groups defend their actions based on literal or extreme interpretation of Islam. As a result it raises the question whether Muslims can fit into the modern or pluralistic society? On the contrary, in reality, other Muslim scholars argue that those interpretations are in twisted forms but the world hears little from these alternate voices. It shows that Islam is interpreted in both extreme and tolerant manners. This article is divided into two parts; the first part focuses on the concept of tolerance in the Western philosophy. The second part analyses Islamic philosophical perspective of religious tolerance based on the writings of philosophers who are seen as either extreme or moderate.

Tolerance and religious freedom in legal, human rights, and islamic perspectives

2020

The problems of the nation in the future are predicted to lead to identity channels, both in religious, economic, political, cultural, educational, ideological and other identities. Therefore, with the diversity of identity, tolerance becomes a necessity that must be understood, instilled and carried out for unity. The trilogy of tolerance transforms into an elan vital in the frame of a diversity of identities, thus, this article offers a new perspective particularly in three perspectives-legal, human rights, and Islamic perspectives. The legal perspective spots from the perspective of justice, the human rights perspective looks at the perspective of benefits, while Islamic perspectives see in the view of compassion. As a consequence, the keywords of tolerance from the three-point of view are manifested in three feelings including justice, humanity, and love. All forms of freedom, including religious freedom, must stand based on freedom, not on self-justification (truth claims) of each religion.

Tolerance in Islam

HTS theological studies, 2018

A difference in thought, behaviour and tastes is one of the realities of human life which is rooted in the nature of man’s creation; a fact, the acceptance of which requires the development of human society and the increase of its capacity in interaction with different views. This can be interpreted as ‘tolerance’. In order to show its importance, human history can be mentioned as good evidence for the widespread atrocities caused by the lack of tolerance. The study of the verses of the Holy Qur’an clarifies the viewpoint of Islam towards this subject matter. What is understood from the Islamic teachings is that Islam does not believe in absolute tolerance in every circumstance. As Islam emphasises tolerance in some conditions, in others it accepts war as a necessity. Meanwhile, Islam maintains the necessity of freedom of belief, that is, freedom of expression and dialogue, as necessary. However, it condemns compromising in belief as well as insufficiency and lack of observance concerning the religious regulations by the believers. Tolerance in Islam is not based on indifference towards religions and beliefs; the necessity of choosing between truth and falsehood and also considering prophets as merely the introducers of truth to the people are the two essential fundamentals of tolerance in belief considering the Islamic view. Besides tolerance in belief, it is necessary to refer to the ethical and behavioural tolerance which provides a cultural ground to materialisation of tolerance in belief; a virtue highly praised and encouraged in Islam.

The Concept of Tolerance in Islamic Perspective

This research analysis highlights the concept of Islam about tolerance, harmony, permissiveness and sympathy to all humanity. It also rejects the negative propaganda of those who wrote that Islam is a religion of cruelty and extremism, the passion of Jihad spares the Muslims to exercise any kind of cruelty with the people of other religions. Although the reality is other way round. This research explains the reality that Islam is not only the religion of peace and love but also teaches the lesson of the rights of other religions and emphasizes to give them religious independence with great tolerance. Islam gives us the lesson of peace, love, brotherhood and harmony. It also rejects the negative propaganda of those who wrote that Islam is a religion of cruelty and extremism. Islam gives rights to others as well as stresses on religious tolerance. It reveals on us through deep study of The Holy Quran and Hadith that Islam not only has accentuated on religious tolerance but also has stressed on moral, economic and social tolerance. Islam gives the lesson of mutual love, brotherhood, justice and tolerance. It is one of the prominent features of Islam that none of the other religions of the world preaches its followers to treat the followers of other religions as Islam does. It is the specialty of Islam who gave the rights to the Non Muslims with tolerance. Islam is the religion of nature. Its taste is to give respect and profit to mankind. According to the Holy Quran Muslim Ummah is created for the welfare of humanity [1] who is a source of blessing and profit for the whole mankind without any discrimination of religion and route line. The teachings of Islam emphasizes on the service of humanity. Unfortunately, some people have realized that to offer prayer, to keep fast, to pay zakat and to perform 

The Concept of Tolerance in Islam

Habibia Islamic Heritage Collection, 2020

The concept of tolerance in religious tradition has been studied for centuries. In Islam, tolerance is a distinct moral virtue, as well as a part of social ethics. The Islamic scripture has highlighted the practice of forbearance, patience and lenience as one of the main components of its foundation. Tolerance, in particular is well established as an exercise found in mystical traditions. For generation, schools of Islamic Spirituality, i.e. al-Tasawwuf, or Sufism, as well as Sufi leaders have emphasised on the need for toleration to be effected in one's behaviour and in action. This article provides an overview of the concept of tolerance in Islam, based on a qualitative research model, grounded in analytical discourse. This article does not seek to provide a full explanation of the concept in Islamic Legislation. Rather, a discussion is entailed on the need for tolerance in this world and the existing themes in the Islamic heritage.

Tolerance, Interfaith Unity and the Responsibilities of Religious Scholars

Seminar paper presented at: Two-day International Virtual Conference: “The Role of Tolerance in the Stability of the Society” Organized By Department of Islamic Theology, Aliah University, Kolkata In collaboration with Department of Arabic, Aliah University, Kolkata Date: 19th & 20th January, 2021

Theory and praxis of religious tolerance

OGIRISI: a New Journal of African Studies

More often than not, intolerance is extremely rejected in favour of tolerance simply because of the belief that the latter produces a better chance of inter-personal relationship in a pluralistic society. In this sense tolerance will mean to allow others to practise their religious belief without hindrance. While the term 'allow' carries a legal import i.e. authorisation, toleration means only the absence of objection rather than genuine approval of another's religious belief. It is therefore the argument of this paper that tolerance already divides between the powerful and the less-powerful, the privileged and the less-privileged. It is this inherent weakness in tolerance that makes the paper to insist on frank dialogue; truth-meeting-truth.

Going Beyond Religious Tolerance to Tackle the Roots of Religious Discrimination

Islam and Liberty Network (online), Sep. 29, 2020, 2020

Islam today is commonly associated more with beliefs ('aqa'id) than with morals (akhlaq). Contemporary Muslims tend to think that faith is a part of Islam which is somehow more fundamental than morals. Today a Muslim often defines herself or himself as someone holding a certain set of beliefs (and performing certain practices). As there is no consensus on the answer to the question of what these beliefs are, different Muslims have different religious beliefs and hence we get religious diversity. Since discrimination based on religion, particularly when it is conducted by the state, is a bad thing, so the argument goes, religious tolerance as a sociopolitical principle is valuable. This is of course a well-intended argument for religious tolerance. But it buys into the assumption that a set of beliefs or tenets are somehow more central to Islam than morals and values. A believer has of course every right to think that this assumption is true. But the predominance of faith over morals or works among Muslims is historically a precarious one. In short, it does not seem to exist in the early Islamic period. Early Islam appears to be more of a simple universalist message of ethical monotheism than a set of articles of faith. It is only during the theological debates in the classical period (the first few centuries after the demise of Prophet Muhammad) that the orthodoxy emphasizing faith over morals took shape. There seem to be strong political motivations behind this formation. As a result of this downplaying of ethics in favor of theology, we get in the post-classical period many more books seeking to determine the correct creed ('aqidah) than books on ethics. This is an unfortunate reduction of religion and hollowing out of its substance which is its ethical message. What the argument outlined above for religious tolerance takes for granted is this theological position privileging creed over morals, a position which does not stand in light of historical evidence. This of course does not mean that we do not need religious tolerance. Muslims need it, even much more than they currently have, as it is unfortunately in short supply in the Islamic world. But I argue that the problem goes deeper than religious tolerance by itself can solve.