How come Muslims say Islam is the religion of tolerance while they downgrade Jews and Christians?

Question

I hear many Muslim aplogists claim that Islam is the religion of tolerance. Meanwhile, there is a prophetical statement from prophet Muhammed that orders Muslism not to salute a Jew or a Christian (or even say "HELLO") until the other one does it first. And it also orders Muslims to force Jews and Christians to walk at the side of the road and leave the better part of the road for Muslims.

My question is that if Muslims treat Jews and Christians with tolerance, they are not violating what their prophet order them?

(by the way, the statement is in Sahih Muslim Vol. 2 No. 4030)

Answer 1

Islam is a religion of tolerance. We are taught to respect every religion and their beliefs. The whole part about walking on the other side of the road is completely and utterly untrue. Here is what the QURAN says about Jews and Christians:

2:62. Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

5:65. If only the People of the Book had believed and been righteous, We should indeed have blotted out their iniquities and admitted them to gardens of bliss.

66. If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil.

67. O Messenger. proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith.

"Does Islam tolerate other beliefs?"

The Quran says: God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loveth those who are just. (Quran, 60-8)

It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths: when the caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year 634, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city. Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves.

Most importantly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said this about Muslims, Christians, and Jews:
"When the bier of anyone passeth by thee, whether Jew, Christian or Muslim, rise to thy feet."

Answer 2

This is the sad truth unfortunately. There are many islamic leaders who claim to be very "religious", yet they belittle other religions when this is totally wrong, you are right in what you say. Not only this but they argue amongst each other and they belittle other muslims with different views and beliefs. Take the Ahmadis for example, they have continue to be persecuted, shot and slaughtered - this is totally wrong - why is this happening - because those Islamic "leaders" have gone astray, they lead their followers on the wrong path, on the path of killing.

This is the same with terrorism, they try and get their point across by shielding their actions with religion. This is shameful and unacceptable, they obviously arent true muslims. In fact anyone who kills goes against the teachings of Islam.

Answer 3

Muhammed wrote the Qur'an with anti-Semitic and anti-Christian themes, saying that the Gospels were originally written by Jesus of Nazareth, but that they were distorted, and falsified by the apostles. They accused the Jews of falsifying and distorting the Torah they recieved at Mount Sinai. Muhammed wrote the Qur'an with these themes because he was upset at the Christian's view of Jesus' divinity (Muhammed denied this), and he was upset that the Jews rejected his teachings, so he wrote supposed scripture with those particular sentiments in it. Muhammed's personal feelings towards Christians and Jews became imbedded in the Qur'an, and thus saw by his followers (amd Muslims today) as divinely inspired.

Answer 4

Why don't you get your facts straigh before you bash Muslims. It is Muslim extremists and leaders of Islamic governments who think that way. Ask almost any Muslim who is not involved in an Islamic government and they will tell you they do not hate Christians or Jews, in fact Hebrew and Arabic are similar in a lot of ways as well as their respective religions.

Answer 5

Fundamentalists are nuts. Across the board. All prophets qualify as fundamentalists. I just can't believe people still worry about these insane guys. Didn't Prophet Muhammad also marry a six-year-old girl?

Does marry mean adopt? No. It means copulation.

I think anybody following the teachings of a child molester should be beheaded... wait. That's what those savages do to people who condem Muhammad.

Whoops...

What a vicious, crappy cycle.



HEY!!! I just got it! What "pbuh" means! What praise you deliver to your beloved idols... so much praise YOU CAN'T EVEN SPELL THE WORDS OUT FOR THEM!

Now, That's classy.

Answer 6

Muhammed wrote it with 2 different mindsets at the beggining he wrote it to woo christians and jews with a peaceful religion then when they didn't come he went Rambo on 'em with slaugter the infidels line also showing that it was written by man alone and not with God.

Answer 7

Islamic Law dictates that non-Muslims who are mono-theists (such as Jews and Christians) be kept oppressed under an apartheid like system called Dhimmitude.

Answer 8

where did you read this silly information?you are like a lot of silly ignorant people here who have so shallow information about Islam and think they understand Islam....there are too many false information about Islam...and for you information Islam rules are not based on Sahib Muslim but on holly Quran.....look i am Muslim live in Egypt and 10% of the Egyptians are Christians and i say hello to my Christians friends....i can give you their e.mails if you want to ask them...my school was catholic school and we have church in it and my teachers were nuns...and that something usual in Egypt...and i always love and respect my teachers..grow up and be reasonable and try to search for the true information not to believe any false information u find...

Answer 9

Muslims as a group are the worlds most intolerant people.

THATS A FACT.

It will never change because NOT ONE MUSLIM ACKNOWLEDGES IT

Muslims entirely lack the ability to do any introspection. You have to know Muslims to really get this...

Answer 10

Islam is very careful to note that lying to another muslim is a sin, BUT lying to a non-muslim is ok. Same for killings. They cannot kill another muslim but they can butcher any number of "infidels".