Chapter 2

Chapter 2
A universal system should tolerate differences in belief and cultural diversity among people. If there is a unique attribute that our world has, it is diversity in both culture and belief. Therefore, any system which claims universality should have tolerance towards other cultural and religious practices as a non-negotiable principle.
In this section of the book, light will be shed on the principle of tolerance based on historical evidence drawn from practices of several religions and ideologies in comparison to Islam. •Since the previous section revealed the exclusive basis of Judaism's intolerance, I will begin with Christianity, which some believe manifests the 'kindness' and 'gentility' of Christ (PBUH). But when we apply an historical examination, the conclusion is completely the opposite.
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1. The Crusaders, Behavior in Palestine
Let's look at what the Christian Crusaders did to the Muslims when they waged wars against them and when they occupied Jerusalem. These wars were referred to as, The Holy Wars, which were conducted with the blessings of the Pope and under the banner of the Christian religious leaders.
Although Jerusalem was surrounded for more than a month, its inhabitants resisted the crusaders, invasion courageously. When the Crusaders finally won, they rushed through the streets killing, destroying and burning whatever they saw in their way. They did not differentiate between men, women or children. The massacre lasted for the whole night. On Friday, 15th of June 1099, the Crusaders stormed the gates of AIAqsaa Mosque and killed all those who were taking refuge inside it.

Ibn AI-Atheer described the massacre in his book AI-Kamil as follows:
The Crusaders killed more than 70 thousand people. Some of those who were killed were Muslim scholars, erudites and adorationists who left their countries to dwell
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near the holy places. They stole more than 40 silver lanterns from the Holy Rock, each costing at least 3600 (silver Dirhams).
In his book, The Arab Civilization, the French historian, Gustave Le Bon described the Crusaders, entry into Jerusalem, saying:
The 'Crusaders' behavior, when they entered Jerusalem, was quite different from that of the tolerant Caliph Omar bin AI-Kattaab towards the Christians when he entered the city a few centuries ago.23 In turn, the priest of Boiol City, Raymond Dagile, described this incident in history by saymg: What happened among the Arabs when our people [the Christians] conquered Jerusalem's walls and towers was really puzzling; some 23 Gustave Ie Bon The Arab Civilization. (tr. Adel Zueiter).
of them [the Muslims] were headcut, others were stabbed, so that they were forced to throw themselves down the walls, others. were burnt alive, so there could not be along Jerusalem roads except Arabs, heads, legs, and hands, so that we cannot avoid walking in corpses and this was just a sample of what happened.24
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Khalil Toutah and Bolous Shehadeh (Christian writers) recounted that massacre, declaring that: What the Crusaders did in the place where Jesus was crucified and buried (according to the Christian Bible) is really shameful and sinful. Jesus taught his disciples to love their enemies; but the crusaders, whose ideal was the holy Cross, killed women, children and the elderly people. Even those who escaped to 'Aqsaa' were followed by Godephry who was
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24 In AI-Quds History and Views. PP. ) 8 -19.
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known as the protector of the Holy Tomb, and when he was in J afa to fight the Egyptians, he became sick and asked his followers to take him back to Jerusalem where he died. He was buried in the Nativity Church.25
2. Christians and Jews in Palestine under Muslim rule.
Abu Ubaydah, the Muslim Commander, sent to Omar bin al-Khattab (The Second Muslim Caliph) telling him that the citizens of Jerusalem wanted him to come to take the keys of the city.
Therefore, the caliph started his journey with his steward heading towards Jerusalem. On his arrival, the citizens of Elia (Jerusalem) received him with pleasure. He signed with them the famous peace document which reads as follows: In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful!
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25 Khalil Toutah and Bolous Shehadch. Jerusalem's History and Guide. Jerusalem, 1480. P. 28.
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This is what the Servant of God, Omar, Amir of the believers, gave to Elia's inhabitants concerning the safety of their properties, money, churches, etc. Their churches should not be demolished. They should not be harmed or forced to accept a religion against their will. This should be guaranteed by The Khalifah and all Muslims, and monitored by Allah and His Prophet (PBUH), as long as the other side adheres to it and pays the Jezyah. As a matter of fact, Omar was the first to liberate Jerusalem from the Roman occupation.
3. Islam in Spain
The people of Spain during the 7th century were given the choice to accept Islam willingly and peacefully as hundreds of thousands of people around the world are accepting Islam today.
However, with the papal approval in 1479, Prince Ferdinand and Princess Isabella executed the unimaginably bloody history of the Spanish
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Inquisition, where notorious and indescribable persecutions and tortures against Muslims and Jews took place. The purpose was to force them to accept Christianity or be tortured to death. With the collapse of Granada, the last Muslim stronghold in Spain, into the hands of the Spaniards in 1492, Muslims were like an unprotected herd of cattle that were attacked by hungry wolves. So, they were massacred, enslaved and compelled to embrace Christianity at the edge of the sword.
In his article 'When the Moors Ruled Spain', Thomas J. Abercrombie, revealed many facts about the contributions with which Muslims had presented the West. He also alluded to the justice of the Islamic rule: where Jews, Christians and Muslims lived peacefully side by side for more that seven centuries. Then he shifted 180 degrees to talk in brief about atrocities committed by the Catholic Christians afterwards:
It was here, long after Alfonso VI, that the first victims of a growing Christian bigotry perished at the stake. In 1469 Prince Ferdinand of Aragon wed Princess Isabella of Castile. While waging war against the Moors to the south, they would view as a threat the Muslims and Jews in their own lands. In 1480, they established the Spanish Inquisition. Before it was over, three centuries later, thousands of Muslims and Jews had died; an estimated three million people were driven into exile. Short of its leading businessmen, artists, agriculturalists, and scientists, Spain would soon find itself victim of its own cruelty.26
4. Christianity during the era of Colonization
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Many church leaders had indicated that non- Christians do not have the right to live a good life and practice a faith of their own choice.
Such premises have become non- negotiable principles in the minds of many. This very mentality is clearly spelled out through the
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26 Thomas J. Abercrombie. When the Moors Rulcd Spain. National Geographic, July 1988, P. 96.
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suggestion made by the Bishop of Winchester to Henry II of England: Let these dogs (Mongols and Muslims) destroy one another and be utterly exterminated and then we shall see the Universal Catholic Church founded on their ruins and there will be one fold and one shepherd27.
This was not only a singular attitude of this 13 th century clergy, but rather that of some of most prominent evangelists. Zwemer, who is looked to by Christian evangelists as having been almost a prophet, said:
We must add to all this the utter collapse of Muslim political power in Africa, Europe, and Asia. We, however, believe when the crescent wanes, the Cross will prove dominant, and that the disintegration of Islam is a divine
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27 Stephen Neill. A History of Christian Missions. Penguin Books Ltd., New York, 1977, P. 118. preparation for the evangelization of Moslem lands .... 28
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It might be argued by Christian apologists that such are the ideas of a person who is not really a part of the mainstream evangelists. But Zwemer is indeed considered as one of the most prominent figures in theorizing the Christianization of Muslims. In the Colorado 1978 conference, hundreds of delegates suggested the establishment of an institute named after Zwemer in Altadena, California, for the sole purpose of researching how to attack the Muslims in their belief.
While Muslims can invite people to the natural religion of Allah, The Supreme Being and the Creator of the universe and whatever therein, Christian missionaries execute all means to seduce and buy the hearts of the needy, sick and illiterate people under the cover, of humanitarian aid. Don M. McCurry29 mentioned:
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28 Lyle L. Van der Werff. Christian Missions to Muslims. William Carey, Library, California. 1977. P.238.
29 A leading evangelist and the current director of Samuel Zwcmcr Institute. 20:09200 111 0/1445
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Many times we were compelled to face the accusation that we use [my bold] any material, health and educational means to create [my bold] Christians among the Muslims who face very difficult and desperate situations30.
5. Islam in Europe:
To realize the standards and ethics that the Western World Order is built upon, one must ponder on Huntington's response in the Foreign Affairs regarding the Muslim's accusation of the Western World Order-as being biased and applying double standards, A world of clashing civilizations, however, is inevitably a world of double standards: people apply one standard to their kin-countries
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30 In Robert C. Petkept and R. L. Macacaba. Food and Healthcare as Means for Muslim Evangelism. The Gospel and Islam: A 1978 Compendium. Don M.McCurry (ed.). P. 826.
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and a different standard to others.31 Such double standards applied by the western world, The surrogate father of the New World Order, against the Muslims in Bosnia, Palestine, Chechnya, Azerbaijan and many other places all over the world are clear indicators of the western unjust treatment of other, non-Christian so cities, including the Muslims.
As a matter of fact, it was the Vatican headed by the Pope who was determined to provide' strong backing to the 'opressing' Catholic country in the Bosnia conflict 'Croatia'. Hence, according to Huntington, 'the Vatican ~xtended recognition even before the European Community.'32
All such CaprICIOUS actions against hundreds of thousands of oppressed people who have gone through vicious genocides and II Samuel Huntington. ,Clash of Civili7.ation.(Foreign Affairs. Summer, 1993, P.36). 12 Huntington. 1993. P.37.
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experienced unheard-of-atrocities of rape in the human history were carelessly dealt with by countries carrying the banners of the NWO. I think it is ,one of the greatest tragedies and shame written with the blood of innocent people in the memory of history for generations of Muslims to remember. Especially, when compared with the Islamic system of justice and tolerance that does not allow treating even ones enemies with injustice.
6. Islam in The Indian Subcontinent
Islam was firstly introduced into the Indian subcontinent during the 7th century and the Muslim dominance continued over India under the succeeding states until the British invasion in 1857, lasting for more than 11 00 years. Had the Christian method of inquisition and conversion at the point of the gun been practiced, not a single Hindu would have been seen alive by the end of the British colonial domination of India. However, the Islamic tolerance and understanding of the nature of man manifested itself in India. In the Qur'an, Allah has clearly declared tolerance to be an ethical principle for mankind to follow.
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Also, Islam came to India as well as to other part of the world to transcend and elevate humanity above racism, ignorance and injustice.
Therefore, there was no need for forced conversion to the true religion of God. It is basically up to people to use the intellect with which God has bestowed them and make their choice. This is the reason as to why hundreds of thousands of people keep reverting to Islam as soon as they find out the truth about it. People embrace Islam by their own free will and without any seduction or compulsion. Many among them are scientists, politicians, lawyers, evangelists and even people of fame: Cat Stephen (now Yusuf Islam), the former famous pop singer; M. Hoffman, the German Ambassador to Morocco; who has recently written an eye-opening book titled, Islam is the Alternative; Morris Baucaille, the well known French scientist accepted Islam after his long research in science and religion that is summarized in his book, The Qur'an, The Bible and Science; Mr. Olson, the current Danish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia who declared in a radio interview that:
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If the people know the reality of Islam, millions will embrace it 32. The list of those who have sought the truth of Islam is too long to be mentioned here. It includes people from all walks of life.
7. Islam and Tolerance
When defining one of its important aspects, Islam, is that it means complete submission to Allah by choice and conviction, not through seduction or compulsion. Islam accommodates and welcomes all people as brothers and sisters regardless of their distinctive/particular affiliation.
The Islamic attitude towards the followers of other religions is not only to show tolerance towards their beliefs, but also to affirm a non-negotiable Islamic principle of tolerance and religious responsibility. (The Qur'an 2: 256) There is no compulsion in igion. The right
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32 The Islamic Magazine, The Qur'an radio station 16/211415.
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course has become clear from error. So whoever disbelieves in taghut [i.e. false deities] and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
In fact, Islam through the course of its history has granted the people of other faiths the highest degree of tolerance by allowing them to follow their way, although some of their practices might have been in conflict with the religion of the majority. It was this degree of tolerance that the Muslims adopted towards their non-Muslim citizens.
There is another aspect of this matter which cannot be found in the written laws, nor can it be enforced by the courts or the government: this is the spirit of tolerance which underlies upright attitudes, benevolent dealings, respect for one's neighbors, and all the sincere sentiments of piety, compassion, and courtesy. Execution and report of such attitudes are required of every Muslim and cannot be obtained through constitutional legislation or court jurisdiction. The spirit of
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tolerance can be Islam is exclusively practiced in an Islamic society33. Many Qur'anic verses have emphasized dealings with non-Muslims with justice and respect, especially those who live in peace with the Muslims and do not raise enmity against them.
Allah does not forbid you concerning those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes from being righteous towards them and acting justly towards them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. (The Qur'an 60:8) And they give food in spite of their love for it to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying]: We feed you only for the acceptabce of Allah. We wish not from you reward nor gratitude., (The Qur'an 76: 8,9)
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33 Yusuf al-Qaradawi. Non-Muslims ill the Islamic Society. (Tr. by K.M. Hamad and S.M. A. Shah) American Trust Publication, Indianapolis, 1985. P. 28.
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Although Muslims might disagree with other ideological systems and religious dogmas, it should not prevent them from demonstrating the correct manner of discussion and interaction with non-Muslims:
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him." (The Qur'an 29: 46)
In this context it seems appropriate to raise the question: Is tolerance of other religions as preached by Islam a matter left to the Muslims to decide about? As a matter of fact, tolerance in Islam has ideological basis in the Qur'an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and it is not subject to any human interference. Therefore, it is a constant Islamic principle that does not change over time or place. According to the Qur'an, every human being is to be honored as Allah has honored him/her:

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And we have certainly honored the children of Adam, and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created with [definite] preference. (The Qur'an 17:70)
Islam is the final revelation of Allah the Almighty and it is the religion of universal truth for all mankind. All of its doctrines can withstand any challenge. Therefore, the existence of various religions--man-made or supposedly revealed religions--is only to allow the human intellect to choose. The following verses of the ,Qur'an emphasize these principles: Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them, out of jealous animosity between themselves and who ever disbelieves in the verses of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in [taking] account. (The Qur'an 3:18-19)
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And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them entirely. Then will you compel the people until they become believers? (The Qur'an 10: 9934) In Islam, injustice is regarded as one of the greatest Sins. Therefore, oppressing people
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 34 In the actual world as it is, man has been endowed with various faculties and capacities, so that he should strive and explore and bring himself into harmony with Allah's will. Hence faith becomes a moral achievement, and to resist faith becomes a sin. As a complementary proposition, men of faith must not be angry if they have to contend a against disbelief. And most important of all, they must guard against the temptation of forcing faith, i.e. imposing it on others by physical compulsion. Forced faith is no faith (Part of the translator's comment on the 10:99 verse, The Noble Qur'an, King Fahd Printing Complex, PP. 556,557).
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because they have different beliefs IS rejected. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: The supplication of an oppressed person, even though he be a pagan, is heard directly, without any vei1.35
8. Concluding remarks
To sum up, intolerance has been a permanent practice of Judaism, Christianity and Hinduism. They either shut off a segment of humanity or bring it in simply to persecute it. To be killed or converted was atleast until recently the only choice confronting non-Christians in a Christian society or non-Hindus in a Hindu society. Misery of people in the form of pverty or illness is invested upon to change the belief of others. Stephen Neill has illustrated the scope of such inhumane monopoly of people suffering by sayng:
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35 Related by Imam Ahmed in his Musnad. As reported in al-Qaradwi 1985.
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,It was often a short period of the arrival of the missionary Lavigari to Algeria that cholera widespread. As a result of which a famine took place. He was able to collect 1800 orpahn children after he had received a permission from the French authorities to convert them to Christianity; then provide them with Christian education in some settlements that were labled, The Christian Villegas., Such steps encouraged other missionaries in other countries to do just the same. They started by buying children as slaves, then gathered them In Christian Settlements.36 Neil continues talking about such incidents supporting his arguments by statistics of buying the souls as well as the beliefs of needy people by saying:
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36 Stephen Neill. A History of Christian Missionaries. Penguin Books, ) 979, Pl'. 42 - 429.
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This process (buying children and Christianizing them) has succeeded to the exact that some missionaries by the year 1902 were able to establish in one area, 250 farms containing 5000 salve children)7
Only Islam preaches and practices tolerance. This tolerance in the human sphere has allowed Islam to extend open mindedness to the intellectual sphere, the topic of my next, section.
Provided to the reader below a segment of an article which has been written by one of the prominent American thinkers, Professors John L. Esposite, in which he summarized the tolerance of Islam and Muslims during the peak of their power: Christians and Jews were regarded as "People of the Book" (those who had possessed a Scripture (revelation from God). In exchange for allegiance to the
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37 Neil, 1979. P.429
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state and payment of a poll tax, these protected (thimimi) peoples could practice their faith and be governed by their religious leaders and law in matters of faith and private life (family laws).38
Thus, Islam has proven to be more tolerant than the imperial Christianity, providing greater religious, freedom for Jews and Christians, most local Christian Churches had been persecuted as schismatics heretics by a 'foreign' Christian Orthodoxy.
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38 John L. Esposite. "Islam and Christianity Fact to Face:
An old conflict and prospects for a new ending."
Commonwell. January 31st, 1997, P.12.
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