Mohan:
If this sounds like a piece right out of Bhagavat Gita and other Indian religious ethos, Why are we having problems with the Pakis.? All religions say all most the same thing. It is the people who went astray.
By Dr. Irshad-ul-Haq Quddusi
ISLAM is the religion of peace, love and tolerance. The holy Quran begins in the name of
Allah Who is "Rahman" and "Raheem", words generally translated as 'beneficent' and
"merciful." Apart from these attributes of God, He is "Rabbul Aalimin" which means Lord as
well as Nourisher and Developer of all creatures in every realm of existence.
Divine love is thus explained in the Quran: "Verily, Allah loves those who are the doers of
good." (Sura 3 Ayat 198). The last and final Prophet (SAW) has been declared as
Rahmat-ul-Lil-Aalamin i.e. "Mercy unto the worlds" again highlighting Islam as the religion of
love, peace and humanity for the entire world.
Tolerance, as defined in Webster dictionary, is an act or practice of tolerating and ability to
understand another person's opinion, action etc., without accepting them or changing one's
own. Its synonyms are "forbearance" and "mercifulness."
When we judge Islamic teachings in the light of the above definition of tolerance, we are
convinced that Islam not only fulfils its entire requirements, but also gives a broader view
about its attitude in this respect when it declares: "There is no compulsion in religion. The
religious way has, indeed, been declared distinct from error" (Sura 2 Ayat 256). This concept
is further elaborated thus at the end of the holy book: "Unto you your religion, and into me my
religion."
The Muslim is one who makes peace with Allah and men. Peace with Allah implies complete
submission to Allah's Will and His commands, and peace with men is not only to refrain from
evils or causing injury to others, but also to do good to all human beings. The last Prophet of
Allah (SAW) defining Islam says: "Deen is nothing short of wishing well to others." Another
Tradition says so more explicitly: "The best of men is one who benefits maximum number of
people."
Allah says: "And My Mercy embraces all things" (Sura 7 Ayat 156). Again "Indeed there has
come to you from Allah, a Light and a clear Book whereby Allah guides those who follow
His pleasure, to the ways of peace. And this Book is meant for guidance of mankind" (Sura 5
Ayat 15 & 16).
Though Islam enjoins the preaching of Islam on all Muslims and says: "You are the best nation
for mankind as you enjoin good and forbid evil, and you believe in Allah" (Sura 3, Ayat-110)
yet, it strictly prohibits them from using force or resorting to compulsion. Even to the Prophet,
the Quran instructs: "but if they turn away we have not sent thee as a warder over men. Thy
duty is only to deliver the message" (Sura 42 Ayat 48). Elsewhere in Sura 42 Ayat 48 the
Quranic words are: "Summon (O Muhammad) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and with
kindness and kind warning and argue with them in the best manners" (Sura 16 Ayat 125).
Even Islamic policy of war is based on peace. War is permitted in defence. The Muslims are
allowed to rise up in arms against aggressors so that the transgressor is fairly dealt with.
Muslims are permitted to wage war on aggressors for the cause of promotion of dignity and
welfare of humanity:
"Permission (to fight) is given to those on whom war is imposed, because they are oppressed.
And surely Allah is able to assist them who are driven from their homes, without a just cause,
except that they say our Lord is Allah and if Allah did not repel some people, cloisters and
churches and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is oft mentioned, would assuredly have
been pulled down. Verily, Allah helped one who helped Him. (Sura 22 Ayat 40).
"And if they incline to peace, incline thou also to it, and trust in Allah" (Sura 8 Ayat 61).
Peaceful dialogues were promoted to avoid disputes. According to the teachings of Quran
and Sunnah, peaceful negotiations, instead of war, were preferred. Thus we find that the spirit
of tolerance played its historical role in the promotion of understanding between Muslims and
non-Muslims all over the world.
Islam teaches that the life of man cannot be sought without reference to the life after death.
How absurd would the life appear, if its flame is kindled, to be extinguished with death. Allah
has not created man for nothing. According to a tradition this worldly life is a tilling-ground for
the life hereafter.
My Comment: Sounds like KARMA of Hindus
We will reap the harvest of what we have sown here in this worldly-life. This
ideology makes our worldly life worth living and significant.
The belief in the unity of Allah leads us to the unity of all human beings, Allah says: "O
mankind be careful of your Lord, who created you from a single soul, and from it created its
mate and from them twine, has spread about a multitude of men and women. Be careful of
your duty towards Allah to whom you claim (your rights) of one another and towards the
wombs (that bore you). (Sura IV Ayat 01).
This verse of holy Quran clarifies that "all men and women are sons and daughters of Adam
and Eve" and, therefore, are brothers and sisters of one another, irrespective of differences of
race, creed and colours and distinctions of geography and languages. Hence we should be
free from the chains of prejudices.
Referring to the origin of man Allah says: "O mankind we have created you, male and female,
and have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. The noblest of you, in
the sight of Allah, is one who is best in conduct" (Sura Al-Hujrat Ayat 13).
This verse also points out that all human beings are equal. They are preferable only by virtue
of their conduct, and, therefore, should be loved and respected accordingly.
Tolerance means to endure willingly the difference of beliefs and opinions without accepting
them and to put up with and forbear the difference of opinions or faiths. Tolerance gives birth
to the catholicity of mind and the spirit of love and accommodation, and peaceful coexistence.
"And let not the hatred of others make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just,
that is nearer to piety. For, Allah is well acquainted with all that you do" (Sura 5 Ayat 8).
In actual fighting against those who attack Muslims, Islam lays strict limits of justice and
humanity. The Prophet exhorted the Muslim army not to mutilate dead bodies of the enemy
soldiers and mistreat the prisoners.
A true Muslim is the one who loves and forgives his brothers. He is exhorted to respect
others in order to be respected. Caution against prejudice and control on anger is the
characteristic of a follower of Islam. This is the teaching of the Quran and Sunnah and this has
been the practice of the caliphs and companions of the Prophet (SAW). |
