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Answer
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Name
Dina
-
Profession
Question
What Does Tolerance mean if it doesnt mean weakness? We are asked to be tolerant day and night until our beloved prophet was insulted. Do you still Dear Sheikh advice us to be tolerant
Answer
Salam Dina,
Thank you for your question.
Tolerance is mostly used in a positive sense in language: It means basically the large-heartedness to accept views other than one's own; and the ability to patiently listen to criticisms and respond to them in a logical and reasonable manner. From the Islamic point of view, it borders on "Sabr" or patient perseverance or endurance of unhappiness or a sad state of affairs.
In the matter of situations like the recent insults on our Prophet, we ought to respond to the perpetrators in a manner that is expected of good Muslims. That is, first we need to be aware of the teachings in the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah about how we should respond in such situations. And secondly we need to weigh the possible consequences of what we are going to do in response. It is obvious that we need not be responsible for more insults; and we need not do things that justify the criticisms of our enemies.
We need to be rational in the face of provocations and adopt the best course of action that will prevent more attacks on our beloved Prophet.
I hope you follow what I mean.
And Allah knows best.
Name
bashir
- Nigeria
Profession
civil servant
Question
asalamu alaikum. I ask Allah (SWT) to reward you fruitful efforts. Please, how can a muslim be tolerant and at the same time strong in his Iman
Answer
Salam Bashir,
Thank you for your question.
Indeed tolerance is closely linked to "Sabr", and it is one of the principles deeply rooted in Islam. A human being, from the Islamic point of view, is a dignified creature (Al-Israa’:70). Of course people are not of one and the same faith or belief. They have different views and beliefs and to achieve their expected job of developing the earth, they need to work in cooperation and show tolerance towards each other.
Being tolerant towards others does not mean abandoning one’s beliefs and principles. Muslims do not compromise on their creeds; they should be strong in their Iman. They should stick to their religion and present it to others in a reasonable and diplomatic manner.
By the same token, we should accept tolerance as an obligation. Islamic sources and texts are full of provisions urging Muslims to show tolerance as much as possible. In the Qur’an, for example, we read:
" And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong. " (Al-`Ankabut 29:64)
" The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend. " (Fussilat 41:34)
Furthermore, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) warned Muslims against wronging non-Muslim citizens or inflicting any harm against them, making it clear that the Prophet himself will stand against anyone who does so on the Day of Judgment.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was always committed to these sublime principles, whether he was undergoing persecution and humiliation in Makkah, or being at the height of glory when he entered Makkah victorious years after leaving it.
Amidst all the pains the Prophet suffered, Allah sent to him the angel asking him permission to crush such oppressors with the two mountains of Makkah, but the Prophet’s response was amazing; although he had a real chance to avenge all the long years of sufferings, he opted for tolerance and forbearance, declaring his hope that their offspring may embrace Islam.
There are several other instances in the life of the Prophet as well as in the lives of the Sahabah to establish that tolerance is an Islamic virtue.
May Allah Almighty guide us, help us and reward us all!
Name
Nabil
- Ethiopia
Profession
Student
Question
As'salamu Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Dear Prof. Shahul,
I would like to thank you and IslamOnline.net crew for giving me this chance.
I am living in Eastern Africa(Addis Abab, Ethiopia) In my country the Muslim is majority in number but not in Power and that's lack of education of the Muslims.
Recently something amazing happened to the muslim students of higher education, they were not allowed to pray in the campus in Jam'a (University) and this was so hard for the Muslim students and there was a little clash between the Muslim students and government forces.
With that In mind Would you please advice some kind of tactic to over come this pressure.
Jazak'Allah Khayran
Answer
Salam Nabil,
Thank you for your question.
One thing you can do in such a situation is for you or your elders to approach the high authorities - not those who simply implement orders from above - and try to convince them peacefully that this has been a privilege you had been enjoying; and continuing to pray Jumu'ah in the campus is not going to do any harm to any one. And in case there is any complaint against Muslim students, you should answer for them and see that everything is fine for all. You can say: If permission is granted again, it would only show the magnanimity of the authorities and Muslims would ever be thankful. But not allowing this fundamental right will create a bad image for the govt as a coercive and oppressive one.. etc.
Try all the peaceful means through petitions and personal influences of leaders and officers... Meanwhile pray to Allah Almighty for the success of your efforts.
And in sha Allah everything will be fine.
Name
Montaqa
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Profession
Teacher
Question
Assalamu alykom
How can I show the 'other' that although I'm tolernt, I'm not week? If there is an example of that in the Prophet Seerah, this will be great.
Thanks
Answer
Salam Montaqa,
Thank you for your question.
Many intolerant people believe that tolerance is weakness, though the fact is just the opposite.
Indeed intolerance is a sign of weakness. In fact people who are really convinced of the validity of their religion or ideology are tolerant towards others. Intolerance betrays doubt and uncertainty. And it is out of a sense of insecurity born out of the weakness of one’s position that a person becomes bigoted and dogmatic.
Racism and chauvinism are two forms intolerance can take; and they do not give any chance for reason. And thus we can see that intolerance is never a sign of strength.
When the Prophet, peace be upon him, arrived in Madinah, he established the First Islamic state; and then he did not seek to exterminate non-Muslim communities living there or even degrade them to second-class status.
In his biography (peace and blessings be upon him), Ibn Hisham reports that the Prophet concluded a treaty with them which teaches us how to peacefully coexist and accept the “other.” The treaty, which came to be known later as the Constitution of Madinah granted all the parties concerned equal rights and affirmed common interests (Ibn Hisham).
Even in Madinah, Muslims were not spared of the attacks of the Quraish and their allies. However, the time came when the Prophet and his Companions entered Makkah victorious and the Quraish surrendered to them. On that glorious day, the Prophet, once again, had the opportunity to retaliate for the painful years of persecution and oppression in Makkah, but once more, he showed an outstanding ability to forgive and overlook. He simply pardoned them and let bygones be bygones.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Muhammad Muinul Islam
- Bangladesh
Profession
Teaching
Question
Assalam. My questions are:
1. What are the limits of tolerance?
2. What are the differences between sabr and tolerance?
JazzakaAllah.
Muhammad Muinul Islam
Lecturer, Dept. of Public Administration,
Jahangirnagar University.
Savar, Dhaka
Answer
Salam Muinul Islam,
Thank you for your questions.
1. Generally speaking, the limits of tolerance depend upon the situation as well as the capacity of the person or persons facing the provocation.
As far as we Muslims are concerned, these are difficult times, and our patience is being tested again and again. And a number of us are often guilty of "gut reaction"; which means that we don't pose to think what are the possible consequences of our action. And the net result is that we leave matters worse than before.
We need to follow the guidelines given by the Qur'an and the Sunnah, while using our brain to think: and then only we should act.
2. Sabr is a comprehensive term, and it includes tolerance. We may even say that Islam should be practiced in such a way as to include a lot of Sabr . For instance in fasting, in going to the Masjid for Fajar, in doing Hajj etc we must have a lot of patience and endurance. That is all part of Sabr .
Tolerance on the other hand means, to have the ability for instance, to listen to adverse criticism, or to accept the fact that a number of things in this world go the wrong way and yet we should not lose our cool.
Allah has said in His Holy Qur'an:
( To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what God hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If God had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to God; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute.. ) (Al-Ma’idah 5: 48)
The above verse teaches us that we have to accept the right of other religions and ways of life to exist; because it is Allah Who has allowed them also to flourish "to test you in what He hath given you."
And Allah knows best.
Name
kamaal
- India
Profession
medical student
Question
Salaam. dear doctor,
On coming Sunday we have fresher meet and get together from muslim students studying in ukraine.
iam gonna speak on tips as iam one of the seniors and head, so could u please give me some hints so that the students remain calm in this kind of worldly society which is dominated by open sex and alcoholism. for the muslim students,plzzzzzzzz ? JAZAKALLAH.
Answer
Salaam Kamaal,
Thank you for your question.
Insha Allah I will email you some tips, soon after this Live Dialogue. Because the space of this Live Dialogue is not enough for your purpose.
May Allah Almighty help you and guide you!
Name
Sayed
-
Profession
Question
Dear Shiekh, What does tolerence mean and is it obligatory fard
Answer
Salam Sayed,
Thank you for your question.
The term 'fard' is usually used for obligatory acts that should be done by a Muslim. But tolerance is an attitude and an approach. It is a mental state and therefore it cannot be specified like an action.
But several actions can emanate from a mental state; some of which may be good, some bad.
It depends on the context as well as what you are tolerating that determines whether 'tolerance' is obligatory or not in that context; and I do not mean a strictly legal or fiqhi sense.
Allah knows best.
Name
Bashir Sultan, Abuja
- Nigeria
Profession
Engineering
Question
Dear Respected Scholar, Assalam alaikum.
Kindly elaborate on the issues that are effecting the the lives of Muslims Youth in the mordern times. i.e Music, parents concentration on only Mordern Education.
Thank you.
Answer
Salam Bashir,
Thank you for your question.
Your question is off-topic; and besides, the scope of this Live Dialogue does not allow an answer your question which expects a detailed explication.
Thank you.
Name
kamaal
- India
Profession
medical student
Question
salaam,
Though our PROPHET (SAW) was the most patience and gentle person on earth , how we as Muslim youth should react when people of other faith make fun of us or our brothers in war troubled zone ? as we know to make them understand any thing related to ISLAM cant be done in one sentence or one words but we need time and explaination .
Answer
Salam Kamaal,
Thank you for your question.
For one thing, we need to be patiently studying our own Religion of Islam well, and imbibe its principles. Then we need to study the ways of presenting its ideas diplomatically and reasonably before others. We need to be especially considerate to our audience; we need to appeal to them at the level of their education and intellectual capacities.
And speaking of the challenges we are facing: They are not new; nor are they specifically characteristic of our times. Our great forefathers had suffered much worse than us. It is true that we need time and we need an audience willing to listen etc. These are all problems.
We should seek out persons who are ready to listen; who are ready even to argue with us. If a person argues with us, or presents objections to us, it does not mean that he is going to be our enemy for ever.
We may be able to convince him gradually. It is those who seem to hear us silently who may not accept our arguments in the final analysis. So first appearances and the initial obstacles are not important; what is important is: whether we are ready to learn; and whether we are ready to work in the Way of Allah in spite of obstacles.
