- It has been Divinely said in Qur’an (Surah 2 Al Baqarah verse 256) "There is no compulsion in religion. The truth has become clear from falsehood..."
- This verse explicitly forbids forcing anyone to accept Islam. True faith, according to Islam, must come from conviction—not coercion.
- This verse was practically demonstrated in Spain and India where Muslims were the rulers over large non Muslim populace, yet at the end of their rule over these countries, the ratio of Muslim and non Muslim almost remained undisturbed and during the Muslim rule, none of the places of worship of non Muslims were burnt or closed to them. On the contrary, there explixxt examples of genocide of Muslims in India, Africa and even Spain by non Muslim majority.
- This verse in fact vindicate the misconception of Islam being intoelrant to others as has been otherwise so projected.
- As for tolerance and accept others' faith, it is said in Qur’an (60:8); "Allah 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, Allah loves those who act justly."
- This verse commands Muslims to treat non-hostile non-Muslims with kindness and justice, proving that hostility is not based on faith, but on actions like aggression or oppression.
- However, if non Muslims turn hostile to a Muslim community, Muslims have been direccted to safegaurd them and their ideology.
- Example: Treaty with Christians of Najran: The Prophet ﷺ signed a treaty with the Christian delegation from Najran, guaranteeing their religious freedom, protection of their churches, and rights to self-governance.
- Hadith – Sahih al-Bukhari: The Prophet ﷺ stood up in respect for a Jewish funeral passing by. When asked why, he replied: "Was he not a human soul?" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1312, Muslim 961)
- This shows respect for the dignity of every human being, regardless of religion.
- It may be noted that despite many incidents of Qur'an burning, none of the Muslims burnt Bible or any other religious scriptures in retaliation. Had Muslims too had resorted to burning others' religious books, the world would have never been in peace.
- It is said in Qur’an (22:39); "Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged..."
- This verse was revealed when Muslims were persecuted and driven out of Makkah, showing that jihad was a response to injustice, not religious intolerance.
- It, therefore, does not mean that Muslims are always equipped with a sword to cut throats of non Muslims on their own. In fact Jihad is declared by the head of the sate and individuals are debarred from waging any holy war with non Musils.
- The acts of ISIS is entirely tangent to teachings of Islam as their act of killing non Muslims do not fall under the umbrella of Jihad.
- Islamic teachings actively warn against religious fanaticism and excessive harshness, which are often the roots of intolerance.
- Hadith – Sunan Abi Dawood: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Beware of extremism in religion, for those before you were destroyed due to extremism." Abu Dawood 4606)
- Qur’an (49:13): "O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another..."
- This verse shows that diversity in humanity is by design, and should lead to understanding, not hatred.