Home Journal List Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization Volume II Article Details

HISTORICIZING ISLAM: RE-THINKING TOLERANCE

Abstract

In spite of all efforts to paint a black portrait of Islam and to introduce it as a hostile and intolerant creed, Islamic civilization played a major role in shaping global civilization. Prominent Muslim scholars and intellectuals established the basis of art, philosophy, science and technology which directly and indirectly influenced societies around the world.1 Among all these bright and positive aspects of Islamic civilization, this paper will focus on the Islamic view of other religions and the status of nonMuslims in Islamic regions through the ages. In-depth study of the Quran and understanding the soul of its message, alongside Prophet Muhammad‘s (SAW) word and his behavior with non-Muslims, and tracing this subject in history, will show both theoretically and practically the high potentiality of Islam for peace and harmony. By this view, Jews in the Fatimid Caliphate and Christian Bakhtishu‘s clan were respected in Abbasid Caliphate, and even held government posts. Tolerance and engaging in dialogue with other religions-notwithstanding dogma, brought Muslims progress in all areas and even led some scholars to regard tolerance and altruism as ―the mother‖ of Islamic civilization.

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