Tolerance towards People of Different Faith Grade 12

1. Tolerance towards People of Different FaithGrade 12

2. “And among his Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours: verily in that are Signs for those who know. (SuratAr-Rum: 22)

3. Allah’s Wisdom on Difference: Allah wanted to examine people by the difference. Allah puts the rich to test by the way he spends and gives others and the poor by his patience and thankfulness. Likewise the scholar is put to test by the way he teaches people and the way ignorant people are required to learn and understand.

4. Difference in the world of man has taken several forms including: • Sex and Race • Shape and Colour • Language, Culture and Creed

5. The Position of Islam towards difference in Faith and Religion

6. “To you be your way, and to me mine.” (Surat Al Kafirun: 6) Islam views difference between people as a natural matter because of their varying purposes, mental capacities and intellectual and physical energies. This should never turn under any circumstances into hatred or grudges, because a Muslim knows for a fact that difference and diversity among mankind are as durable as heavens and earth and that they belong to the wisdom of Allah.

7. The Different Causes of dispute between people of different religions:

8. The Different Causes of dispute between people of different religions: Blind Imitation When an individual excessively glorifies something or someone. Any person trapped in this will refuses to listen to what is right, adopts the views of the immoral and obliges others to do the same. Fantasy and Fanaticism Fantasies which drive one to insist on one’s point of view and exclude others in an attempt to coerce others into accepting one’s point of view. In doing so, one does not accept the opinion of others. Difference in balances and criteria The criteria for judging what is right and what is wrong. These may differ because of the different sources of knowledge. Keenness on private interests at the expense of the interests of others This is when the interests of people are very much focused that it may violate other people’s interests without any consideration to values principles or ethics.

9. The Importance of Tolerance A relationship defined by Islam between a Muslim and Allah has called upon him to achieve harmony with all creatures, regardless of standard. This is clearly seen in the guidance of the Quran, the Prophet’s Sunnah, Hadeeth’sand many more.

10. The Importance in Tolerance is embedded into the following: • Tolerance Results in Happiness because it induces Cooperation and Rejection of Violence and Clashes. • The Freedom of religious belief and opinions allows Individuals to live in security and peace while practicing their own acts of worship. • Through Tolerance, People exchange expertise and experiences. • Tolerance has led to the spread of Islam in remote areas of the world.

11. The Islamic principle of tolerating people of different faith is incorporated in three precepts: Establishing the freedom of choice as an original right. Establishing the principle of having dialogue with them in a peaceful, agreeable manner. Respecting their privacy as to religion and worshipping.

12. Tolerance Towards Different Faithsin Relation to Hadeeth, Daily Life, Life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the UAE

13. In Relation To Hadeeth: “Beware!  Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their rights, or burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.” (Narrated by: Abu Dawud)

14. In Relation To Daily Life: • In our daily lives as Muslims, we can apply tolerance in order to harmonize with people of different creeds, so that we can improve our society and have a peaceful community so that not all of mankind can live in harmony and we can all see each others as equals regardless of our different faith.

15. In Relation To Life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW): • The best example of the tolerance shown by the Prophet to other religions may be the constitution itself, called the ‘Saheefah’ by early historians. When the Prophet migrated to Madinah, his role as a mere religious leader ended; he was now the political leader of a state, governed by the precepts of Islam, which demanded that clear laws of governance be laid out to ensure harmony and stability in a society which once had been distraught by decades of war, one which must ensure the peaceful coexistence of Muslims, Jews, Christians and polytheists.  Due to this, the Prophet laid down a ‘constitution’ which detailed the responsibilities of all parties which resided in Medina, their obligations towards each other, and certain restrictions which were placed on each.  All parties were to obey what was mentioned therein, and any breach of its articles was regarded as an act of treachery.

16. In Relation To the UAE: • Recently, the UAE has held a papal mass, inviting one of the most influential catholic church leaders, Pope Francis. • In the Year of Tolerance, when the head of Catholic Church visited the region for the first time, the government did not leave any stone unturned to ensure the three-day state visit was an all out success.  • The papal visit was also significant as the meeting coincides with the inter-faith conference in Abu Dhabi that will be attended by more than 600 religious figures from around the world representing various faiths. • Pope Francis extended his warm greetings to the people of the UAE and described the emirates as a "country which strives to be a model for co-existence and human fraternity and meeting point of different civilizations and cultures".

17. THANKS! Any questions?