The Importance of Tolerance in Islam: Quranic Verses and Hadiths Emphasizing Kindness, Mercy, and Compassion towards Others
Tolerance is a prominent theme in the Quran, and it is encouraged throughout the holy book. The Quran emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. Muslims are encouraged to be patient, forgiving, and compassionate, and to seek peace and reconciliation in all their interactions.
Some verses from the Quran that emphasize tolerance include:
وَٱخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًۭا
And be humble with them out of mercy, and pray, “My Lord! Be merciful to them as they raised me when I was young.
(Quran 17:24)
This verse encourages Muslims to show kindness and gratitude to their parents and elders, even if they hold different beliefs.
وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ ٱعْدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ٨
"And let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness." (Quran 5:8)
This verse reminds Muslims to be fair and just in their dealings with others, even if they may have negative feelings towards them.
لا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ" (سورة البقرة ٢٥٦)
"There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error." (Quran 2:256)
This verse emphasizes the importance of freedom of belief and encourages Muslims to respect the beliefs of others.
وَمِنۡ اٰيٰتِهٖ خَلۡقُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ وَاخۡتِلَافُ اَلۡسِنَتِكُمۡ وَاَلۡوَانِكُمۡؕ اِنَّ فِىۡ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّلۡعٰلِمِيۡنَ
"And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed, in that are signs for those of knowledge." (Quran 30:22)
This verse recognizes the beauty and diversity of humanity and encourages Muslims to appreciate and celebrate this diversity.
Overall, the Quran emphasizes the importance of tolerance, compassion, and respect towards others, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. Muslims are encouraged to seek peace and reconciliation in all their interactions and to treat others with kindness and fairness.
It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother" or he said "for his neighbor, what he loves for himself."
لاَ يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لأَخِيهِ - أَوْ قَالَ لِجَارِهِ - مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ
Sunan Ibn Majah 66
https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:66
Narrated Jarir bin `Abdullah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who is not merciful to others, will not be treated mercifully.
مَنْ لاَ يَرْحَمُ لاَ يُرْحَمُ
Sahih al-Bukhari 6013
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6013
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that: The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe, and the believer is the one from whom the people's lives and wealth are safe."
الْمُسْلِمُ مَنْ سَلِمَ النَّاسُ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُ مَنْ أَمِنَهُ النَّاسُ عَلَى دِمَائِهِمْ وَأَمْوَالِهِمْ
Sunan an-Nasa'i 4995