Tolerance
(2) Meaning of Tolerance:
i. Literal Meaning:
Literally, the word “Tolerance” means to bear.
In Arabic, it is called “Awf” means pardon, forgiveness, dispensation, exemption, sparing and excuses.
In Urdu, the word “Rawadari” is used for it.
ii. Conceptual Meaning:
According to [Link]
Tolerance means the willingness to accept behavior and beliefs that are different from your own, although
you might not agree with or approve of them.
According to [Link]
Tolerance is a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, beliefs, practices,
racial or ethnic origins, etc., differ from one's own.
According to [Link]
Tolerance is the capacity to endure pain or hardship.
(3) Importance of Tolerance in Quran:
In Islam, The Holy Qur’an is the preliminary source of guidance of Allah (SWT) and is believed to be the
precise in its originality and authenticity. Let us take some guidance from the Holy Qur’an narrated about
tolerance.
1. Islam accepts the basic right of an individual to have freedom of belief or religion:
There is no compulsion in religion. (al-Baqarah)
2. Quran also Qur’an verifies that nobody can be compelled for his believes. History of Islam shows that
not a single person was rendered to accept Islam.
For you is your way and for me, mine. (al-Kafirun)
3. Islam not only tolerates followers of other religions but also bestows upon them all the rights of
humanity, like equality and justice:
O you who believe, be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity and let not hatred of any people deviate you
from justice that you deal not to Allah. (al-Maidah)
4. Islam also recognizes cultural diversity:
O mankind! We created you from a single [pair] of male and female and made you into nations and tribes,
that you may come to know one another. Verily the most honored among you in the sight of God is the
most righteous of you. (al-Hujurat)
5. In Islam differences among people are not only acceptable but deliberate:
And had your Lord so willed, He could have surely made all human beings into one single community: but
(He willed it otherwise, and so) they continue to hold divergent views. (al-Hud)
(4) Importance of Tolerance from Sunnah:
1. Despite the harshest treatment of Makkans, Prophet PBUH never resorted to harm and tolerated
them:
For thirteen long years in Mecca after receiving the Call, the Prophet PBUH and his tiny group of followers
suffered savage cruelties (at the hands of non-believers). The Prophet PBUH and early Muslims responded
to the tyranny of the pagans with utmost resolve and tolerance. They continued to practice their faith,
and the Prophet continued his mission of prophet-hood. They sustained a three years’ social boycott of
Banu-Hashim by the Makkans following the refusal of Bani-Hashim to hand over Muhammad PBUH to
them. Makkans used all the outward means they could to alleviate their difficulties. But Holy Prophet
PBUH never offered violence against violence and preferred to migrate from their homeland 200 miles
into Medina instead.
2. Even though People of Taif pelted stones at him and caused him to bleed seriously, He asked for them
blessings from Allah:
Once, when the Prophet (PBUH) went to Taif for preaching of Islam, the Taifiites adopted inhuman
attitude and pelted stones at him and his companion Hazrat Zaid bin Haritha (RA). The rocks that were
thrown at him by the children caused him to bleed seriously, so much so that his feet became stuck to his
shoes by the drying blood. At that moment angel Gabriel came to him and asked:
“O, Prophet of Allah (PBUH)! I am at your service. If you wish, I can cause the mountains overlooking this
town on both sides to collide with each other, so that all the people therein would be crushed to death,
or you may suggest any other punishment for them.”
But the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “Even if these people do not accept Islam, I do hope from Allah that
there will be persons from among their progeny who would worship Allah and serve His cause.”
3. During the journey of Hijrah to Madinah, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakar (RA) were caught
by Suraqah bin-Maalik, a stout and well-built man who repeatedly tried to harm Holy Prophet PBUH,
but He PBUH forgave him:
During the journey of Hijrah to Madinah, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakar (RA) were caught by
Suraqah bin-Maalik, a stout and well-built man who was induced by the big reward of hundred camels.
But when he came near the Holy Prophet (PBUH), his horse stumbled and he fell down. But he mounted
again and continued his chase but the horse stumbled again. He did not give up his chase and this time he
took out his arrow aiming at the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The horse stumbled the third time and its feet went
deep into the sand. The rider was thrown off his seat with force. His inner self forced him to give up his
bad intention. Suraqah threw his arrows and went to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) begging him forgiveness.
The merciful Prophet forgave him smiling and on Suraqah’s request the slave of Abu Bakr wrote a warrant
of pardon on a piece of leather.
4. Holy Prophet PBUH, also forgave the women who tried to kill him by offering poisonous food:
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was invited by Jew family to dinner. He (PBUH) accepted this invitation in view
of His soft nature and encouragement of the inviters. But, after taking the very first morsel, He (PBUH)
stopped eating. The food was poisoned. On inquiring by him (PBUH), the Jews admitted that they had
done so in order to know that if He (PBUH) was in fact the Messenger of Allah, the poison would not be
effective; otherwise they would get rid of Him (PBUH). Name of the woman who poisoned the food was
Zainab who was sister-in-law to Marhab – a famous and renowned Jew wrestler and who had been killed
by the chief of the believers, Ali (RA).
This was big incident, an intrigue which had been admitted and the culprit was there in front. But what
punishment was awarded to her? Was she imprisoned? No, despite insistence of others, He (PBUH) spared
her. He did not punish Zainab because to revenge for himself, He (PBUH) did not like”
5. After the Conquest of Makkah Prophet PBUH set another supremely glorious example of tolerance
when he exhibited unwavering mercy for those people who had oppressed and persecuted the
Muslims; as he announced general amnesty for all:
On hearing the news that the Quraysh had broken the Treaty, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) prepared to leave
for Makkah. So, in 630 AD, on the 10th of Ramadan in 8 AH, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) led an army of
10,000 Muslims toward Makkah. The Muslims encamped at Mar-ur-Zahraan, a place a few kilometers
from Makkah. Meanwhile, the polytheists were very scared and appointed Abu Sufyan, their leader, and
a few people to find out about the situation. During his investigation, he met Hazrat Abbas (RA), who
convinced him to have an audience with the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Abu Sufyan, the arch-enemy of Islam
who had instigated battles against the Muslims, was given a complete protection in the tent of the Holy
Prophet (PBUH). Later, the Muslim army triumphantly entered Makkah without any bloodshed and the
kuffar surrendered without an attempt to resist. This great military feat was achieved without any
bloodshed and in a peaceful manner that is still unprecedented in history. At this great triumph, the Holy
Prophet (PBUH) set another supremely glorious example of peacemaking when he exhibited unwavering
mercy for those people who had oppressed and persecuted the Muslims; as he announced general
amnesty for all.
(5) What is Intolerance?
Intolerance means unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect opinions or beliefs contrary to one's
own. In other words, unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect persons of a different social group,
especially members of a minority group, is called intolerance.
(6) What are the causes of intolerance?
i. Politics:
Political perspective is one of the major cause of intolerance where people get attracted towards politics
and they started believing that their particular ideology or party is the best and supreme which creates a
lot of ambiguity and because of that conflicts arose in the society and sometimes it became worst to
handle these situations as people are also very least interested in this.
ii. Economy:
Money is something which is itself an ideology especially in contemporary era and it does not even require
any support. In simple words, the person who has money can do anything in society. Intolerance arises
when the difference between poor and riches increases instead of maintaining the difference. Then
people become intolerant to handle anything regarding any problem or topic.
iii. Beliefs:
Certain beliefs refer to intolerance in people regarding religion like in some religion it is believed that if
any person dies in any religious work will go straight to heaven so, this encourages people to participate
in a religious war.
iv. Exploitation:
The people who are exploited in schools and workplaces tend to grow very intolerant. Further in every
country the weaker section of society is exploited by the rich ones and when such exploitation becomes
intolerable people may come up with a war against it.
(7) What are consequences of Intolerance?
i. Rise in Sectarianism:
Sectarianism means excessive attachment to a particular sect or party, especially in religion. And
intolerance is one of the major cause behind it. Inability to accept or respect other people’s opinion
induces people to organize themselves in order to tarnish the opposing idea. Examples can be viewed in
case of Kashmir, Afghanistan, Middle East, Burma, Libya, Syria etc.
ii. Growth of Social Injustices and Violence:
Intolerance leads to social injustice in society the foundation of social system. This negligence leads to a
violent group formation with the society. As the aim of these groups is to fight against the privileged closes
of the society so they seek help of violence and extremism in all aspects of life social integrity.
iii. Disharmony among and btw nations:
Intolerance creates a situation of disbelief on the other people. Eventually, the individual becomes
isolated and social contacts are broken. An unsafe and disharmonic situation arises in the society. In
present era, almost all societies of the world are facing this problem. Also, not a single country is having
belief another country even neighbor.
(8) Conclusion:
Be tolerant and you will receive tolerance. (Musnad Ahmad)
Hence it can be said that Islam is the torch bearer of Tolerance. It taught not only to respect other people’s
beliefs or opinions but also forgave their wrong doings. As difference among human beings are according
to Allah’s will, same as that Allah also gave humans the ability to tolerate each other.
