It is getting a bit stale now, but it continues; some people accuse Muslims who adhere to Islaam and stick to the pure teachings of the Qur’aan and Sunnah of being intolerant and spreading hatred and enmity between Muslims and non-Muslims (implying the use of violence and aggression). This is far from the truth.

In order to understand the position taken by adherent Muslims towards non-Muslims and other religions, it is important to understand from authentic sources what the pure Islaamic teachings are. It is also important to put things into perspective after examining the meanings of the commonly used buzzwords used so freely in reference to Islaam and Muslims.

Concept of Religion

When we ask the protagonists what they understand from the word “religion”, we hear responses along the lines of the following:

• It is a set of beliefs
• It is a set of rituals people carry out
• It is basically a list of do’s and don’ts
• It is a very private matter between an individual and his/her deity

From an Islaamic perspective, however, a Muslim sees Islaam not merely as a religion, but as a complete way of life. Islaam encompasses each and every aspect of the Muslim’s life, public as well as private. Islaam lays down what a Muslim’s beliefs must be.  From how they groom themselves to even how they should govern; absolutely nothing is left out.

It is essential to understand this concept, as only then will one begin to be able to comprehend why a Muslim is always asking if something is “Halaal” (lawful) or “Haraam” (unlawful or impermissible).

How Many Accepted Religions?

The question of the validity or acceptability of a particular religion arises very often. Unfortunately, there are some ignorant Muslims who claim that all religions lead to the One God.  In other words, they hold the view that there are faiths/religions apart from Islaam that are acceptable by Allaah.

If we refer to the correct Islaamic teachings, this view is considered a complete deviation and ignorance of the teachings of Islaam. The fact of the matter remains that Allaah accepts only one religion, Islaam. The proof of this is found in the Qur’aan itself:

1. “Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allaah is Islaam.” (3:19)
2. “And whoever desires other than Islaam a religion, never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be amongst the losers.” (3:85)

The evidence is crystal clear and unambiguous.

There are also some who question the fate of other Prophets and their followers. To them, we say simply that each and every Prophet came with the message of Islaam (i.e., they all invited others to the worship of Allaah Alone and commanded their people to obey them).  The evidence of this is found in the Qur’aan:

1. “And We did not send any Messenger except to be obeyed by the permission of Allaah.” (4:64)
2. “And we certainly sent unto every nation a messenger, [saying], “Worship Allaah and avoid false gods” (16:36)

When one carefully looks to the Qur’aan, he or she finds that Allaah considers all of His Prophets to be Muslims.

Therefore, before the advent of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), anyone who followed the unadulterated teachings of Allaah’s previous Prophets were considered Muslims. This is a matter of agreement among the esteemed scholars of Islaam.

Intolerance

One of the definitions of intolerance is as follows:

Refusal to accept differences: unwillingness or refusal to accept people who are different from you, or views, beliefs, or lifestyles that differ from your own (http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/intolerance.html).

Based on this definition, we can reject the claim that Islaam is intolerant towards other religions. We are repeatedly told in the Qur’aan that Allaah has created human beings, and from among them are Muslims and non-Muslims. So we have no choice but to accept this, as it is a fact of life. However, because other religions exist, it does not mean we can accept any other religion as being correct. As a matter of fact, Allaah has told us in the Qur’aan that He rejects all other religions besides Islaam. As a result, we Muslims also reject other religions, which we do not consider to be true or acceptable. In this context, an intelligent person will understand that there is a big difference between tolerance and acceptance.

Moreover, it is important to note that, because we do not accept something as being the “truth,” it does not mean that we may react against it using violence or aggression. This is an important point, as it rebuts what the mischief-makers imply when they use highly charged words like “intolerance.”

Such people even take the leap and claim that the “fundamentalists” (the term used to describe adherent Muslims) believe that all non-Muslims must be killed. This claim is baseless, utterly ridiculous, and profoundly absurd!

Enmity and Hatred

Enmity is defined as: Deep-seated, often mutual hatred (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/enmity)

Hatred is defined as: Strong aversion; intense dislike; hate; an affection of the mind awakened by something regarded as evil. (http://www.selfknowledge.com/43150.htm).

Does Islaam ask us to hate anything? Before answering this question, it is important for us to understand that as human beings, we naturally possess a strong aversion (i.e., hatred) towards that which is evil.

For example, a normal person hates the acts of murder, rape, theft, and other criminal activities. We may say that we hate people for the crimes they commit or the evil they represent. Even though one may hate someone or something, it does not necessarily imply that the person will be violent or aggressive towards those who commit wrongful acts.

As for the Islaamic position towards disbelief, we find the following examples in the Qur’aan:

1. “There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, "Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allaah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allaah alone"” (60:4)
2. “But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allaah, and for them is a great punishment” (16:106)
3. “And He does not approve for His servants disbelief.” (39:7)
4. And know that among you is the Messenger of Allaah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allaah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided.
5. “O you who have believed, do not take the disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do you wish to give Allaah against yourselves a clear case?” (4:144)
6. “O you who have believed, do not take your fathers or your brothers as allies if they have preferred disbelief over belief. And whoever does so among you, then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” (9:23)

There are many other Quraanic verses as well as Prophetic Hadiths (traditions) that point to the same thing; namely, disassociating ourselves from, and hating disbelief, along with feeling enmity towards those who disbelieve in the true Guidance.

It is, however, important for us to realize that although we may hate someone or something, it does not imply that we may react by showing aggression or being violent towards what we dislike. We often say we hate a rapist or a murderer. Clearly, what we hate is the crime they perpetrated. Not surprisingly, one may hate a person while still loving them. Is it not possible that a child will hate his or her parent because of a crime they committed, while still loving the person because they are their parent? An intelligent person looking objectively will understand this matter very well.

This explains why many Muslims are not afraid to proclaim that they hate the disbelievers (i.e. non-Muslims).  Without a doubt, Muslims do not hate individuals due to belonging to a particular race, nationality, colour, or shape.  Rather they hate them for the “crime” they have committed (i.e. disbelieving in Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him). This is why as soon as a previously disbelieving person embraces Islaam, Muslims love them for the sake of Allaah.

Here in North America, we live, study, work, and interact with non-Muslims on a regular basis. Clearly, Islaam does not order us to treat them badly or to act violently towards them. Rather, Islaam enjoins upon us to treat them fairly, justly and with kindness. We look upon non-Muslims with compassion and pity, desiring Allaah’s guidance for them. We consider them to be misguided people, so, as Muslims, we aim to assist and be a means for them to be saved from Hellfire. Allaah orders us to be fair and just:

1. “Allaah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allaah loves those who act justly.” (60:8)
2. “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allaah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allaah; indeed, Allaah is Acquainted with what you do. (5:8)

Therefore, the bottom line is very clear: we do not accept disbelief in any way, shape, or form.  Apart from Islaam, we reject all other religions because we know from the Qur’aan and Sunnah that the only true faith – the only religion accepted by Allaah – is Islaam.   We hate all other religions and faith systems, as they are false. We hate people who are not Muslim because of their disbelief.  However, Islaam does not give us the authority or the permission to kill, harm, or otherwise treat them badly. Rather, we are just and kind and work towards presenting them with the truth.

Islaam presents a balanced approach.  A true Muslim stands firmly for the truth but does not exceed the limits nor resort to any extremes.

- Younus Ismail Kathrada