Nida Salahat, Hounslow South
One of our core British values is that of tolerance. It is also a moral virtue and the basis for a fair society, as it teaches us to acknowledge other people’s opinions and beliefs, to accept that these might differ from ours, and to not put our opinions above those of others. Thus, tolerance comes from our recognition of the dignity of human beings, the basic equality of all human beings, universal human rights, and fundamental freedom of thought, conscience, and belief.
In recent days, events in France have led President Macron to pass controversial statements on Islam, calling it a religion that was in crisis which is in need of a reform. Not a jot in the scripture of Islam, the Holy Qur’an, has changed since it was first revealed 1400 years ago. Its pristine message remains intact and is practised by its billion plus adherents globally. So let us not confuse atrocities borne out of geo-political grievances, carried out under utterly false pretence of faith, with religious crisis.
The Holy Quran calls for peace, unity, justice, tolerance and equality. The Holy Qur’an explains that no matter what the circumstance, you are not to abandon tolerance. Irrespective of the cruelties inflicted, Muslims are not to act other than with justice and cannot take revenge by being just as cruel. The Holy Qur’an states: …and let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just, that is nearer to righteousness…’ (5:9)
A beacon of tolerance who left mankind with abundance of examples throughout his life is the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him). He is the one who forgave his bitterest enemies when Makkah was conquered by the Muslims and it was his hour of triumph.
Earlier on during his visit to the city of Taif where the locals ridiculed him, threw stones at him and injured him, he chose to pray for them instead. When Allah sent the angel of mountains, seeking the Holy Prophet’s permission to join the two hills and crush the city of Taif, between which it was located - out of his great tolerance and mercy, the Messenger of God replied: ‘No! For, I hope that God will bring forth from their loins people who will worship God alone, associating nothing with Him.’ (Sahih Muslim)
His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community once remarked in one of his addresses: ‘We Muslims believe that there have been 124,000 messengers who have come to the world. They identified the One God and taught man to live in love and affection with each other. The last person to bring a new Law and teaching was Hazrat Muhammad (saw). In other words, a Muslim believes in all prophets and reformers from Adam (as) to Muhammad (saw), peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all. Islam requires belief in and respect of all prophets and believes that the teachings revealed to them at the time of their advent was true, then how can it be said that such a religion does not teach tolerance of other faiths?’[i]
Tolerance is the need of the hour today as it was yesterday. We, as Ahmadi Muslims must emphasise the need for this virtue among us and in the world. We must foster tolerance through deliberate efforts. Our focus is to respect each other irrespective of caste, creed, gender, nationality, and ethnicity. Tolerance is the affectionate knot which binds the family, society and keeps nations intact.
At another occasion His Holiness said: ‘These are the true teachings of Islam and with the Grace of Allah it is with these peaceful and compassionate teachings that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has flourished and spread to every part of the world. The message we deliver does not contain harsh language and nor does it contain any type of force or compulsion.
Rather, our message is of love, affection and unity. We have been taught to reply to abusive and hurtful language with prayers. And in response to the persecution and grief we face, we give only love, peace and comfort to the world. This is our teaching and this is our faith.’ [ii]
Islam is the religion about which it is stated in the Holy Qur’an: ‘…This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as religion…’ (5:4). We believe this is the religion that has provided every solution and answer to all problems or issues that have arisen and that will arise until the end of time.
[i] https://www.alislam.org/articles/freedom-of-speech-and-tolerance-in-islam/
[ii] https://www.alislam.org/articles/islam-threat-source-of-peace/
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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