Tolerance: The Prominent Attribute of Muslims in the Qur'an and Sunnah

Tolerance (Arabic: التسامح, al-Tasāmuh) is a fundamental moral virtue in Islam, deeply rooted in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. In Islamic literature, tolerance encompasses not merely the act of "putting up with" something grudgingly, but conveys a richer meaning of generosity, forgiveness, ease, and smoothness in social relations (Al Luhaidan, 2014). It represents a conscious and voluntary decision to refrain from coercive intervention, despite having the power to intervene, in behavior that the individual does not approve of (Jalaei Nobari, 2024). Islamic teachings emphasize tolerance as a prerequisite for peaceful coexistence and social harmony, while also establishing certain limits and conditions for its practice.

Foundations in the Qur'an

The Qur'an explicitly commands Muslims to adopt a tolerant and forgiving attitude in their dealings with others. One of the most comprehensive verses on this subject states: "Keep to forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant" (Qur'an 7:199). This verse establishes a threefold approach to social interaction: practicing forgiveness, promoting good, and avoiding confrontation with the ignorant.

The Qur'an also praises those who "spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people. And Allah loves the doers of good" (Qur'an 3:134). This verse links tolerance directly to divine love, suggesting that forbearance and forgiveness are not merely social courtesies but acts of worship that draw one closer to God.

Tolerance in Dealing with Others

The Qur'anic concept of tolerance is particularly evident in verses concerning relations with non-Muslims. God commands: "God does not forbid you in regard to those who did not wage war against you on account of religion and did not expel you from your homes, that you should treat them kindly and deal with them justly. Assuredly God loves the just" (Qur'an 60:8). This verse establishes a clear distinction between hostile and peaceful non-Muslims, commanding kindness and justice towards the latter.

The Qur'an also acknowledges religious and cultural differences as part of the natural order of human creation, stating: "If your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ" (Qur'an 11:118). This acceptance of diversity is foundational to the Islamic concept of tolerance (Jalaei Nobari, 2024).

The Principle of No Compulsion in Religion

One of the most frequently cited Qur'anic verses on tolerance is: "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error" (Qur'an 2:256). This verse establishes that faith cannot be coerced, as genuine belief requires free will and conviction. The Prophet was reminded that his role was not to compel belief but to convey the message: "Say: 'O ye men! Now Truth hath reached you from your Lord! Those who receive Guidance, do so for the good of their souls; those who stray, do so to their loss: and I am not (set) over you to arrange your affairs'" (Qur'an 10:108).

Prophetic Model of Tolerance

The Sunnah provides numerous practical examples of the Prophet Muhammad's tolerance. The Prophet's character is described in the Qur'an as one of gentleness: "It is part of the Mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee" (Qur'an 3:159). This verse reveals that tolerance was not merely a strategy but a manifestation of prophetic mercy.

Tolerance Towards Non-Muslims

The Prophet's treatment of non-Muslims serves as a primary model for Islamic tolerance. He accepted invitations from Jewish neighbors to share meals, visited a sick Jewish boy, and received the Christians of Najran in his mosque, honoring them as guests. His leadership in Medina established a framework for religious coexistence, guaranteeing freedom of belief and thought, and the security of life and property for members of other religions (Presidency of Religious Affairs, Turkey).

The Prophet explicitly instructed his followers to treat non-Muslims with kindness and justice, stating: "One who oppresses a covenant taker [non-Muslim citizen], denies what is rightfully his, burdens him beyond his capacity, or takes something from him without his consent, will have Me as his litigant on the Day of Resurrection" (related by Abu Da'ud).

Tolerance Towards Personal Enemies

The Prophet demonstrated remarkable tolerance even towards those who had harmed him personally. He forgave the people of Mecca after its conquest, declaring: "Go, for you are free" – a pronouncement that exemplifies the Islamic ideal of forgiveness over retribution. As the saying attributed to him states: "Be tolerant so you will be treated with tolerance" (Ibn Hanbal, I, 249).

Scope and Limitations of Tolerance

Islamic scholars emphasize that tolerance in Islam is not absolute but has defined boundaries. Jalaei Nobari (2024) identifies several categories where tolerance is recommended and others where firmness is required.

Recommended Tolerance

Tolerance is recommended in at least five areas:

Tolerance in dealing with people and avoiding harshness in social relations: Muslims are commanded to be gentle and kind in their interactions, as harshness drives people away (Qur'an 3:159).

Tolerance in legislating religious laws: Islamic jurisprudence operates on principles that ease burdens on believers, including rules such as "no hardship" (la haraj), "no harm" (la zarar), and provisions for ignorance and forgetfulness. The Qur'an states: "Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties" (Qur'an 2:185).

Tolerance in inviting people to religion: The Qur'an explicitly rejects coercion in matters of faith. The Prophet was instructed to "take it easy on people and do not be strict, be promising and do not create hatred in them" (cited in Hindī, 1981).

Tolerance in peaceful coexistence with followers of other religions: The Qur'an encourages building friendships with those who do not fight against Muslims: "It may be that Allah will establish friendship between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies" (Qur'an 60:7).

Tolerance as a moral virtue: Numerous hadiths emphasize gentleness, forgiveness, and kindness as essential Muslim characteristics. Imam Ali described the Prophet as "good-natured, soft-tempered" (Tabrisī, 1986).

Limitations of Tolerance

Islamic scholarship also identifies situations where tolerance is not appropriate. These include:

Decisiveness and seriousness in carrying out the divine mission: Prophets and believers are commanded to be firm in conveying God's message without compromising core principles.

Decisiveness in the fight against falsehood: The Qur'an teaches that believers must take a clear stand against injustice and falsehood. Imam Ali, in his letter to Malik Ashtar, advised: "Be patient with people who are either your religious brother or people like you" – suggesting that patience and tolerance are appropriate, but not at the expense of justice.

Non-tolerance of oppression and injustice: As the Presidency of Religious Affairs notes, "tolerance also has certain limits. In situations where there are violations of law, staying silent in environments where moral elements are disregarded, submitting to injustice and persecution cannot be considered within the scope of being tolerant".

Tolerance in Belief vs. Behaviour

Nafisi (2018) distinguishes between tolerance in belief and behavioural tolerance. Tolerance in belief is based on two essential foundations: the necessity of choosing between truth and falsehood, and the role of prophets as introducers of truth to the people. Muslims are not expected to accept false beliefs as equally valid, but they are required to respect the right of others to hold those beliefs. Behavioural tolerance, on the other hand, involves the practical application of kindness, justice, and forbearance in daily interactions with others, regardless of their beliefs (Nafisi, 2018).

Tolerance and Islamic Unity

The concept of tolerance is central to contemporary discourse on Islamic unity. The Cairo Roundtable on "Taqrib between Islamic Madhahib" (Approximation between Islamic Schools of Thought) in 2001 emphasized that tolerance (tasāmuh) and mutual acceptance are prerequisites for meaningful dialogue between different Islamic schools of thought. As Sheikh Muhammad Ali al-Taskhiri noted, the problem is not difference in opinion itself, but the negative perception that followers of one school hold towards followers of another (Khorshidi, 2008). Tolerance provides the foundation for recognizing the validity of different interpretive traditions while maintaining commitment to one's own.

Contemporary Relevance

In recent decades, the question of tolerance in Islam has gained renewed attention, particularly in light of the emergence of extremist groups (Nafisi, 2018). Scholars have emphasized that Islam's tradition of tolerance is rooted in its foundational texts and that extremism represents a departure from authentic Islamic teachings. Abdullah Al Luhaidan (2014) argues that Islam offers solutions to some of the world's greatest problems, including the problem of religious and cultural conflict, through its principles of tolerance and coexistence.

The concept of ummatan wasathan (a middle nation) in Qur'an 2:143, representing balance and moderation, has been interpreted as a call for religious moderation that encompasses values such as simplicity, tolerance, and justice (Bulletin of Islamic Research, 2020). This balanced approach, scholars argue, is essential for maintaining harmony in multicultural societies and preventing discrimination.

Bibliography

Al Luhaidan, A. (2014). Tolerance in Islam. International Islamic Publishing House.

Iftaa' Department of Jordan. (2014). "How to Treat Non-Muslims." Retrieved from https://aliftaa.jo/

Jalaei Nobari, H. (2024). "Evaluation of the Tolerance (Behavioral and Normative Pluralism) From the Perspective of Holy Qur'ān and Hadīth." Journal of Contemporary Islamic Studies (JCIS), 6(2), 265-273.

Khorshidi, S. H. (2008). میزگرد تقریب بین مذاهب اسلامی [Roundtable on Taqrib between Islamic Madhahib]. Tehran: World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.

Nafisi, S. (2018). "Tolerance in Islam." HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 74(3), a4851. DOI: 10.4102/hts.v74i3.4851

Presidency of Religious Affairs, Turkey. "Tolerance." What is Islam? Retrieved from https://whatis.islam.gov.tr/

(2020). "Religious Moderation from the Perspective of Islam." Bulletin of Islamic Research.