Social implications of tolerance and truthfulness in Islam
Ishfaq Ahmad Dar
In the name of Allah, the most merciful and most compassionate. ‘ISLAM TEACHES TOLERANCE, NOT HATRED, UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD, NOT ENMITY. PEACE AND NOT VIOLENCE.
Tolerance means ‘’to bear.’’ As a concept, it refers to respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of cultures, forms of expression and ways of being human. In Arabic, it is called Tasamuh. Words like Hilm (forbearance) or ‘Afw (forgiveness) or Saf-h (overlooking) also convey the meaning of tolerance. In Persian and Urdu, we use the word Rawadari which is derived from rawa meaning acceptable or bearable and Dashtan meaning “to hold”. Thus it means to hold something acceptable or bearable.
Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious and moral duty. It does not mean concession. It does not mean lack of principles, or lack of seriousness about one’s principles. Sometimes it is advocated that people are tolerant of things that they do not care about. But this is not the case in Islam.
Tolerance, according to Islam, does not mean that we do not believe that Islam is the final edition of divine faith and is superior to other faiths and ideologies as such. It does not mean that we do not present the message of Islam to all Mankind.
The Qur’an speaks about the basic dignity of all human beings regardless of their race, colour, language or ethnicity. The Shari’ah recognizes the right to life, property, family honour and conscience of all people. From the very beginning, freedom of religion has been guaranteed by Islam.
It prohibits coercion in matters of faith and belief. The Qur’an says: “There is no compulsion in religion.” In matters of religion coercion is not permitted and by implication it is accepted that in matters like culture and other worldly practices also the use of force and undue influence is prohibited. In Surah al-Shura, Allah says to the Prophet (pbuh): ‘’If they turn away, we have not sent you as a guard over them.
Islam teaches tolerance at all levels: between family members, between husband and wife, between parent and child, between groups and nations. The Qur’an says, ‘’O Mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes so that you might [affectionately] come to know one another. Surely, the most honoured among you, in the sight of Allah, is the one who is the best in conduct.’’ The best conduct in Islam is to treat human beings with dignity, equality, fraternity and justice.
Thus tolerance is the need of the hour today as it was yesterday. We must emphasise the need for this virtue among us and in the world.
Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious and moral duty. It does not mean concession. It does not mean lack of principles, or lack of seriousness about one’s principles. Sometimes it is advocated that people are tolerant of things that they do not care about. But this is not the case in Islam.
Tolerance, according to Islam, does not mean that we do not believe that Islam is the final edition of divine faith and is superior to other faiths and ideologies as such. It does not mean that we do not present the message of Islam to all Mankind.
The Qur’an speaks about the basic dignity of all human beings regardless of their race, colour, language or ethnicity. The Shari’ah recognizes the right to life, property, family honour and conscience of all people. From the very beginning, freedom of religion has been guaranteed by Islam. It prohibits coercion in matters of faith and belief.
The Qur’an says: “There is no compulsion in religion.” In matters of religion coercion is not permitted and by implication it is accepted that in matters like culture and other worldly practices also the use of force and undue influence is prohibited. In Surah al-Shura, Allah says to the Prophet (pbuh): ‘’If they turn away, we have not sent you as a guard over them.
Islam teaches tolerance at all levels: between family members, between husband and wife, between parent and child, between groups and nations. The Qur’an says, ‘’O Mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes so that you might [affectionately] come to know one another. Surely, the most honoured among you, in the sight of Allah, is the one who is the best in conduct.’’ The best conduct in Islam is to treat human beings with dignity, equality, fraternity and justice.
Thus tolerance is the need of the hour today as it was yesterday. We must emphasise the need for this virtue among us and in the world.
Truthfulness in Islam, O you who believe! Have fear of God, and be among the truthful.” (Quran 9:119)
Ask the average person to define truthfulness and the answer will most likely be restricted to something about truthful speech. Islam, however, teaches that truthfulness is far more than having an honest tongue.
In Islam, truthfulness is the conformity of the outer with the inner, the action with the intention, the speech with belief, and the practice with the preaching. As such, truthfulness is the very cornerstone of the upright Muslim’s character and the springboard for his virtuousness.
The great sage and scholar of Islam, Ibn al-Qayyim, said: “Truthfulness is the greatest of stations, from it sprout all the various stations of those traversing the path to God; and from it sprouts the upright path which if not trodden, perdition is that person’s fate. Through it is the hypocrite distinguished from the believer and the inhabitant of Paradise from the denizen of Hell. It is the sword of God in His earth: it is not placed on anything except that it cuts it; it does not face falsehood expect that it hunts it and vanquishes it; whoever fights with it will not be defeated; and whoever speaks it, his word will be made supreme over his opponent. It is the very essence of deeds and the well spring of spiritual states, it allows the person to embark boldly into dangerous situations, and it is the door through which one enters the presence of the ‘One possessing Majesty’. It is the foundation of the building of Islam, the central pillar of the edifice of certainty and the next level in ranking after the level of prophet hood.”
By practicing truthfulness, a person betters himself, his life is made upright and due to it, he is elevated to praiseworthy heights and raised in ranks in the sight of God as well as the people.
As the Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, related: “I order you to be truthful, for indeed truthfulness leads to righteousness, and indeed righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to be truthful and strives for truthfulness until he is written as a truthful person with God. And beware of falsehood, for indeed falsehood leads to sinning, and indeed sinning leads to the Fire. A man continues to tell lies and strives upon falsehood until he is written as a liar with God.” (Saheeh Muslim)
So, truthfulness is something which is to be cultivated till it becomes implanted in a person’s soul and disposition and therefore reflected throughout the person’s character. Ali b. Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, mentioned the positive reciprocal effect of behaving truthfully with people in this worldly life.
(The author is a student of Arabic)
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