ISLAMIC EDUCATION

Grade-12
Unit-5, Lesson- 3
Tolerance Towards People of Different Faith

Key Content Summary

 Explain the concept of tolerance, its importance and its Sharia controls.
 Explain the position of Islam towards difference between people as to faith.
 Aspects of tolerance towards people of different faith.
 Explaining some causes leading to conflict between people of different
faiths.
 Importance of accepting others and coexisting with them in a spirit of
tolerance.

I. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:

Q-1: Write down the importance of tolerance in Islam?

Ans: Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious moral duty. It is not a
mere fairytale phrase, but Muslims live it in reality. Islam urges us to be tolerant and
forgive others. This is indicated in both the Holy Qur’an and the noble Sunnah.
Q-2: Find out the result of reflecting on the universe?
Ans: Reflecting on the universe, one finds it in utmost beauty, harmony, and
complementariness in spite of the difference in its aspects and phenomena: night does
not conflict with day; a valley does not hinder a mountain and land encroach on sea.
The continuity of this diversity and difference is the secret behind survival of the
universe; the alternative to this diversity and harmony is nihility
Q-3: Illuminate the wisdom behind difference in the worlds of man?

Ans. Difference between people must lead to dialogue, integration and harmony,
not to separateness and clashing, because of Allah (SWT) wanted to examine people
by this difference Allah (SWT) puts the rich to test by the way he spends and gives
others and the poor by his patience and thankfulness…..
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Q-4: “Universal difference is a divine sunnah” Explain?
Ans:
Difference in the world of man has taken several forms including;
a) Sex and race
b) Shape and colour
c) Language, culture and creed
Although this difference is a natural matter and law of Allah (SWT) yet it has
frequently been the cause of some conflicts and clashes between people instead of
being an integrative factor, forming a pattern of cooperation enriched by diversity.
Q-5: Briefly explain the diversity in Islamic aspect?

Ans: Islam views difference between people as a natural matter because of their
varying purposes, mental capacities and intellectual and physical energies. This
difference is an aspect of the will which Allah (SWT) has given to man. It should not
be turned in any circumstances whatsoever into hatred and grudge especially that a
Muslim knows for a fact that difference, multiplicity and diversity among mankind are
as durable as heavens and earth

Q-6: Indicate the causes of dispute between people of different creeds and religion?
Ans.
1. 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.
2. Difference in balance and criteria
The criteria for judging what is right and what is wrong. These may differ
because of the different sources of knowledge.
3. Keenness on private interests at the expense of the interest 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.
4. 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.

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Q-7: Point out the things where the tolerance embedded in?

Ans:

1) Tolerating others is conducive to cooperation, amity and rejection of violence

and clashes; all live in happiness and felicity.

2) The freedom of religious believe and faith which has been approved by Islam
allows individual to live in security and tranquility while practicing their acts
of worshipping

3) Through tolerance People exchange expertise and experiences this yields

hidden richness treasured by Allah (SWT) in this life.

4) Tolerance has led to the spread of Islam in remote areas on earth

Q-8: Write down the incorporated Islamic principles of tolerating people of

different faith? Support your precepts with Qur’anic verses?

Ans: The Islamic principles of tolerating people of different faith is incorporated in

three precepts;

1) Establishing the freedom of choice as an original right

Allah (SWT) says in surat fussilat;

(64 ) ‫ظ اَّل ٍم ِل ْلعَبِي ِد‬ َ َ ‫س ِه َو َم ْن أ‬

َ ِ‫سا َء فَعَلَ ْي َها َو َما َربُّكَ ب‬ ِ ‫صا ِل ًحا فَ ِلنَ ْف‬
َ ‫َم ْن ع َِم َل‬
(Whoever works righteousness benefits his own soul; whoever works evil, it is
against his own soul: nor is thy Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His Servants)

2) Establishing the principle of having dialogue wit them ibn the peaceful
agreeable manner

Allah (SWT) says in surat An Nahl;

َ ْ‫سنَ ِة َو َجا ِد ْل ُه ْم ِبالاتِي ِه َي أَح‬

(125 ) ….. ُ‫سن‬ َ ‫س ِبي ِل َر ِبكَ ِبا ْل ِح ْك َم ِة َوا ْل َم ْو ِع َظ ِة ا ْل َح‬
َ ‫ع إِلَى‬
ُ ‫ا ْد‬
(Invite (all) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue
with them in a way that is best and most gracious…)
3) Respecting their privacy as to religion and worshipping

Allah (SWT) says in surat Al Kafiroon;

)4 ( ‫لَكُم دِينُكم َو ِل َي دِين‬

(For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.)
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 Q-9: Introduce the UAE in the field of tolerance?

Ans: In the UAE, tolerance is more than just a word; it is a way of life and it is one
of the core principles of the UAE and its cultural and human attractions, laid down
by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as an embodiment of the teachings of the
religion and morals it emphasizes peaceful coexistence and exchange of dialogue
and cultures between people.

The National Tolerance Program will work on establishing values and developing
frameworks that support its continuity in building the human and humanity
development.

The laws of UAE guaranteed justice; respect and equality, besides it incriminated
hatred, fanaticism, and causes of division and difference. By appointing Minister of
Tolerance, reinforcing the UAE's commitment to eradicate ideological, cultural and
religious bigotry in the society.

The UAE came in the first rank internationally in peaceful co-existence between
more than 200 nationalities.

II. Write “True” or “False”

1) A believer is dignified and strong by virtue of his belief and being a Muslim (True)
2) Tolerance, forgiveness, patience and pardoning indicate weakness (False)
3) Greatest and most venerable qualities consist in leniency and mercy (True)
4) Tolerance is neglecting some of the principles of religion (False)
5) Difference is a natural matter and a law of Allah (SWT) (True)
6) Hidden richness causes to collapse and lose the right path (False)
7) Tolerance and patience are traits of the soul of every Muslim, a part of his Iman
(belief) (True)

8) The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not use to repay evil with evil; rather he would
pardon and forgive (True)

9) The UAE surpassed the USA in second rank with 197 nationalities on its territories
(True)

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III. MATCH THE FOLLOWING

Sl. A Ans. B

1 Difference → Characteristic of Allah’s creation

2 Diversity → Survival of the universe

3 ‫سود‬
ُ ‫رابيب‬
ُ َ (Gharabibu Sud)
‫غ‬ → Black intense in hue

4 Prophet (pbuh) → Mercy for all

5 Tolerance → Human right

IV. Complete the following sentence with the appropriate words given:
(creeds, co-existence, inevitability, restricted, perceive, deniers, dissonant)
In every age we find some people who perceive of the inevitability of clash and the
impossibility of co-existence between the followers of different religions and creeds; these
dissonant voices are not restricted to a particular group or religion

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