Does Islam teach Tolerance?

Question

Do you think this quote demonstrates tolerance?

" "This is a message written by Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, far and near, we are behind them. Verily, I defend them by myself, the servants, the helpers, and my followers, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be changed from their jobs, nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they (Christians) are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, this is not to take place without her own wish.

She is not to be prevented from going to her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation is to disobey this covenant till the Day of Judgment and the end of the world.""

Answer 1

Tolerance is an ornament

I believe that anyone who looks for a friend without fault in these times will remain without a friend. Do you not see that the first mark of honour which God bestowed on His Prophets when their call to faith became known was a trusty friend or helper. Similarly, the most sublime gift which God bestowed on His friends, supporters (awliya'), pure friends and trustees was the company of His prophets. This is proof that, after knowledge of God, there is no blessing in either abode which is more sublime, more excellent or more pure than company in God and brotherhood for His sake.

Answer 2

Ya Muslimah,

I do believe the quote demonstrates a greater level of tolerance than what we find in practice. However, if we look at this covenant clearly, it's a condescension from a ruler to people that have already been conquered. It's a good political decision that shows a willingness to win a people over (people that he definitely didn't want working against him on the behalf of the Byzantine emperor). His position of political superiority is assured. This doesn't tell you much about the man himself. If you're going to find a good, truly telling example, I would suggest that you present how he treated those Christians that he had no power over (or even was at war with). Also, the tolerance of Muhammad had limits. Even if he was willing to show leniency to Christians, was he willing to accept the pagans of Arabia as "citizens". I'm not talking about during the days of Madinah, when pagan and Jewish support was necessary to the continuance of his leadership there. I'm talking about in the heady days of Makkah's capitulation.

All the best,

Lazarus

Answer 3

Islam is a religion of peace, you can see that from its name. People cannot imagine how much Islam is merciful. The prophet was also very merciful. I would like to tell a story which supports what I said. There was this woman who was Jew and lived in Medina where the Prophet (PBUH) was living. She used to place her garbage at his door everyday, and everyday PBUH was taking the garbage and throw it away, he was not saying anything. Until one day, leaving his house, he noticed that there was no garbage left at his door, asking the people in Medina he was told that she was ill and could not get off her bed. What do you think the Prohpet did? He visited her at her house to make sure she is ok.

Do we have such Muslims nowadays? I believe not. Do non-Muslims know or even believe these stories about the Prophet? Most of them don't. But it is important for us to know what PBUH was doing to at least try and do even a small portion of what he was doing.

Answer 4

Every muslim knows that the Islam deals not
with the terror, with hate or with anti-Semitism.

The Islam teaches you, how you get a good person.
It shows you what you have to do for Allah and for the world.
Many people interprete the quran wrong an think
they have to do something what is not right.

The europeans and the americans can't
differentiate between religion and politic.
They show muslims as terrorist although it is an
problem from the state not from their culture

Answer 5

am i able to grant you a rapid occasion. i'm watching NBC and the newscaster says all muslims are not any stable, and tells the visitors that they could do destructive issues to them. could I say all chrisitians are illiberal? Is that newscaster the spokes person for judeo christian ideals? of direction not! you may take the e book itself, not its followers because of the fact the real teachings of islam. Thats like asserting is all catholics toddler predators, and that i be attentive to the respond is definitely not.

Answer 6

Yes Islam allows tolerance of other religions.

Answer 7

Absolutelly!

Answer 8

Islam is tha best and final religion , so if there are terrorists that doesn't mean Islam is a religion ask ppl to attack others, meanwhile Islam asks his fellowers to defend islam .

Answer 9

The Middle Eastern Religions may teach it, but when it comes down to it, the stupid masses who practice these convoluted religions often use their hearts for their reasoning centers. THEREBY, causing the religions to self-perpetuate their failure of putting to practice what they believe--i.e. tolerance.

Answer 10

If Islam teaches tolerance, then how do you explain 9/11, countless suicide bombings in Israel which have killed innocent women and children, the murder of Nicholas Berg, Daniel Pearl, etc, etc, etc, etc...?????????