Outline:
1) Introduction
2) Religious pluralism
3) Political pluralism
4) Racial and Cultural Pluralism
5) Legal pluralism
6) Conclusion
Islam bases its teachings upon the formation of a pluralistic society with people of all religions living side by side in harmony and peace. However, the extremist minds have tarnished this diversified image of Islam. They are trying to portray our religion as a sort of hooligan or a dangerous cult that is bent upon destroying the world. The exclusivist views of this tiny minority have overshadowed the humanistic nature of a genuine religion of God. The bombings, killings and suicide attacks of religious fanatics on the civilians make huge headlines across the globe, and ultimately people start considering Islam as a religion of violence and barbarism rather than the religion of peace.
What we see around us in the form of violence is not Islam. In fact, Islam propagates tolerance and brotherhood among humans by promoting its concept of religious, political, racial and legal pluralism. The state of Medina during the early years of Islam was a working role model for the world and especially for the Muslims to follow. The state of Medina was a pluralistic state consisted of Muslims, Jews and of people belonging to other religions. In that state, everyone was allowed to practice his religion without any pressure or compulsion and everyone had the same status and access to the law of the land irrespective of his racial, political or religious background.
The religious pluralism of Islam signifies that everyone has the freedom to follow his religion, to build his worship places and to go to these worship places. The Islamic state or Muslims neither hinder Non-Muslims in their worshiping nor in celebrating their ceremonies, let alone killing them. The Islamic state, on the other hand, will facilitate non-Muslims in performing their religious duties by providing them with the facilities and things that their religion prescribes on such occasions even if those things are forbidden in Islam. For example, Islam does not allow Muslims to worship idols, but the Islamic state will never stop Hindus from doing so. Similarly, many religions permit the use of alcohol and thus their followers will be provided with alcohol inside the Islamic state even though Islam has very strict law on alcohol.
This shows the level of freedom and liberty non-Muslims enjoy in a real Islamic state. Quran says,” One who accepts guidance does so for one’s own benefit and one who refuses it does so to one’s own peril” (10:108). This shows that non-Muslims will be not forced to follow what Quran has taught to the Muslims apart from the laws which will be applied to both the communities to stop any kind of wrongdoings that may result in violence or bloodshed. Similarly, non-Muslims will not be pressurized to embrace Islam or to leave their religions. The Holy Quran says, “There should be no compulsion in religion” (2:256). This verse clearly says that no one could be forced to accept Islam. According to Sheikh Al-Qaradawi, if anyone tries to forcefully convert a non-Muslim to Islam, he will be tried for the charges of sedition.
When a group of Meccan idolaters came to the Prophet (s.a.w) and proposed that we are willing to worship God if Muslim too worships our idols, Allah sent his commandments in Surah-e-Kafirun by saying “I don’t worship those that you worship, nor do you worship him who I worship”. This verse clearly tells that the Holy Prophet did not impose his religious views on the Meccan tribes at that time. Even when he conquered Mecca, he declared that no Muslim will be allowed to kill or forcefully change the religion of Meccan tribes.
This inspired the Meccan tribes to eventually embrace Islam. Islam also pays great respects to the Prophets sent by the God before the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and says, “We don’t make any distinction among them” (2:136). The message of universal tolerance for all the religions needs to be spread across the globe to show people the real face of our religion. To overshadow this universal message of Islam, some extremists start quoting other Quranic verses without context. They would quote,” Who seeks other than Islam as a religion; it will not be accepted from him”. (3:85) but this verse of Quran telling us about the day of judgment on which only Muslims will be granted salvation but it does not mean that we should start killing them in the name of Jihad.
Some people argue that democracy is a concept alien to Islam. They are of the view that democracy is a western system in which sovereignty belongs to the people and not to the Almighty Allah. They further argue that the Muslim community will have a single pious ruler who will rule until the end of his life. Another argument will be that if democracy is according to the spirit of Islam then why no elections took place in the era of companions of the Prophet? The rebuttal of the first argument will be that democracy is a concept known to Islam since its inception and democracy does not necessarily mean that sovereignty belongs to the people alone.
The sovereignty does belong to the people when the matter has not been settled in the Quran or Hadiths, but in the matters resolved in the Quran, no legislation can be carried out in the provision that even the Constitution of Pakistan enjoins. The Holy Quran states,” They decide their entire collective issues through mutual consultation” (32:38). The verse shows the level of empowerment given to the public by the religion of God. The rebuttal of the second argument stated above is in the counter-question that who will decide that who is the most pious among the people. Where this will be determined by the man itself or a council or the by the public? And that who will depose the ruler when he becomes cruel and tyrant in his behavior towards public? The solution is the democratic injunctions of Islam in which members of a state will decide that who should rule them and how should rule them as far as the teachings of Islam are not violated. The third argument that why elections were not carried out during the caliphate or early years of Islam?
The very simple reason for this was the lack of facilities to conduct such a massive exercise in those days. Elections never go against the spirit of Islam as is evident from the Rashidun Caliphate and from the caliphate of Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz. When Hazrat Abu Bakker (r.a) was chosen as the Caliph of Muslims, he addressed people in these words, “O people! I have been entrusted with authority over you, but I am not the best of you. Help me if I am right and rectify me if I am wrong”. Similarly, when Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz (r.a) was chosen as the caliph of Muslims, he went to the people and said that I cannot carry out such a huge responsibility but the general public knew his character and bestowed favor upon him. The glaring example of how Muslims fought against the tyrants of the time is the story of Karbala, in which the grandson of Muhammad (s.a.w) fought against the oppressor of his day.
Islam recognizes different ethnicities, races, and cultures as the core of its pluralistic vision to identify each other by these but never take them to a level of distinction or superiority of one over the other. Islam does not accept the concept of “chosen people” as Jews use to call themselves. Quran clearly says,” O mankind! Behold, we have created you into nations and tribes so that you might come to know one another. Verily the noblest of you in the sight of God is one who is the most acutely aware of God” (13:49).
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) in his last addressed said to the people,” O people! Your Creator is one, and you are all the descendants of the same ancestor. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab or of the black over the red, except ethical conduct”. The only standard set by the Holy Quran for the distinction of a human is the Taqwa or piety, besides this, no one could be judged by any other standard. Islam has also not tried to enforce a certain tradition or culture on the people rather Islam supports multiculturalism as far as it is within the boundaries of Islam. The solid evidence is the widespread following of Islam ranging from Morocco to Indonesia within the ambit of their own cultures. Quran clarifies this point by saying,” And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colors” (30:22).
Islam is also quite pluralistic in its legal framework and does not force any of its laws on the non-Muslims. All the leading jurists of Islam are of the view that non-Muslim will be free to form their courts and legal systems within the ambit of state, which will dispense justice to the respective community. As earlier discussed, Islamic state will facilitate the non-Muslims with spiritual needs even if these requirements are against the very basic tenets of Islam. For example, the Islamic state will provide pork to the non-Muslims even though pork is severely forbidden in Islam. Non-Muslims will be free in pursuing their laws related to matters like inheritance, family issues, and their religious verdicts. Even State can go towards the formation of a uniform pluralistic law if that law is not against the teachings of all the religions.
The Islamic injunctions clearly tell us that we must have friendly relations even with our non-Muslim brothers, let alone with the sects of Islam. The religious, political, cultural and legal pluralism of Islam repels the propaganda that Islam is a religion of terror and violence. We must follow the teachings of Islam to put an end to this era of religious fanaticism and sectarianism. It’s time for us to decide whether we want to maintain these negative views about Islam or whether we want to show the world the real image of Islam and that is peace, harmony, and unity.
1) Introduction
2) Religious pluralism
3) Political pluralism
4) Racial and Cultural Pluralism
5) Legal pluralism
6) Conclusion
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| Kabba, the center of Islam |
Islam bases its teachings upon the formation of a pluralistic society with people of all religions living side by side in harmony and peace. However, the extremist minds have tarnished this diversified image of Islam. They are trying to portray our religion as a sort of hooligan or a dangerous cult that is bent upon destroying the world. The exclusivist views of this tiny minority have overshadowed the humanistic nature of a genuine religion of God. The bombings, killings and suicide attacks of religious fanatics on the civilians make huge headlines across the globe, and ultimately people start considering Islam as a religion of violence and barbarism rather than the religion of peace.
What we see around us in the form of violence is not Islam. In fact, Islam propagates tolerance and brotherhood among humans by promoting its concept of religious, political, racial and legal pluralism. The state of Medina during the early years of Islam was a working role model for the world and especially for the Muslims to follow. The state of Medina was a pluralistic state consisted of Muslims, Jews and of people belonging to other religions. In that state, everyone was allowed to practice his religion without any pressure or compulsion and everyone had the same status and access to the law of the land irrespective of his racial, political or religious background.
The religious pluralism of Islam signifies that everyone has the freedom to follow his religion, to build his worship places and to go to these worship places. The Islamic state or Muslims neither hinder Non-Muslims in their worshiping nor in celebrating their ceremonies, let alone killing them. The Islamic state, on the other hand, will facilitate non-Muslims in performing their religious duties by providing them with the facilities and things that their religion prescribes on such occasions even if those things are forbidden in Islam. For example, Islam does not allow Muslims to worship idols, but the Islamic state will never stop Hindus from doing so. Similarly, many religions permit the use of alcohol and thus their followers will be provided with alcohol inside the Islamic state even though Islam has very strict law on alcohol.
This shows the level of freedom and liberty non-Muslims enjoy in a real Islamic state. Quran says,” One who accepts guidance does so for one’s own benefit and one who refuses it does so to one’s own peril” (10:108). This shows that non-Muslims will be not forced to follow what Quran has taught to the Muslims apart from the laws which will be applied to both the communities to stop any kind of wrongdoings that may result in violence or bloodshed. Similarly, non-Muslims will not be pressurized to embrace Islam or to leave their religions. The Holy Quran says, “There should be no compulsion in religion” (2:256). This verse clearly says that no one could be forced to accept Islam. According to Sheikh Al-Qaradawi, if anyone tries to forcefully convert a non-Muslim to Islam, he will be tried for the charges of sedition.
When a group of Meccan idolaters came to the Prophet (s.a.w) and proposed that we are willing to worship God if Muslim too worships our idols, Allah sent his commandments in Surah-e-Kafirun by saying “I don’t worship those that you worship, nor do you worship him who I worship”. This verse clearly tells that the Holy Prophet did not impose his religious views on the Meccan tribes at that time. Even when he conquered Mecca, he declared that no Muslim will be allowed to kill or forcefully change the religion of Meccan tribes.
This inspired the Meccan tribes to eventually embrace Islam. Islam also pays great respects to the Prophets sent by the God before the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and says, “We don’t make any distinction among them” (2:136). The message of universal tolerance for all the religions needs to be spread across the globe to show people the real face of our religion. To overshadow this universal message of Islam, some extremists start quoting other Quranic verses without context. They would quote,” Who seeks other than Islam as a religion; it will not be accepted from him”. (3:85) but this verse of Quran telling us about the day of judgment on which only Muslims will be granted salvation but it does not mean that we should start killing them in the name of Jihad.
Some people argue that democracy is a concept alien to Islam. They are of the view that democracy is a western system in which sovereignty belongs to the people and not to the Almighty Allah. They further argue that the Muslim community will have a single pious ruler who will rule until the end of his life. Another argument will be that if democracy is according to the spirit of Islam then why no elections took place in the era of companions of the Prophet? The rebuttal of the first argument will be that democracy is a concept known to Islam since its inception and democracy does not necessarily mean that sovereignty belongs to the people alone.
The sovereignty does belong to the people when the matter has not been settled in the Quran or Hadiths, but in the matters resolved in the Quran, no legislation can be carried out in the provision that even the Constitution of Pakistan enjoins. The Holy Quran states,” They decide their entire collective issues through mutual consultation” (32:38). The verse shows the level of empowerment given to the public by the religion of God. The rebuttal of the second argument stated above is in the counter-question that who will decide that who is the most pious among the people. Where this will be determined by the man itself or a council or the by the public? And that who will depose the ruler when he becomes cruel and tyrant in his behavior towards public? The solution is the democratic injunctions of Islam in which members of a state will decide that who should rule them and how should rule them as far as the teachings of Islam are not violated. The third argument that why elections were not carried out during the caliphate or early years of Islam?
The very simple reason for this was the lack of facilities to conduct such a massive exercise in those days. Elections never go against the spirit of Islam as is evident from the Rashidun Caliphate and from the caliphate of Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz. When Hazrat Abu Bakker (r.a) was chosen as the Caliph of Muslims, he addressed people in these words, “O people! I have been entrusted with authority over you, but I am not the best of you. Help me if I am right and rectify me if I am wrong”. Similarly, when Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz (r.a) was chosen as the caliph of Muslims, he went to the people and said that I cannot carry out such a huge responsibility but the general public knew his character and bestowed favor upon him. The glaring example of how Muslims fought against the tyrants of the time is the story of Karbala, in which the grandson of Muhammad (s.a.w) fought against the oppressor of his day.
Islam recognizes different ethnicities, races, and cultures as the core of its pluralistic vision to identify each other by these but never take them to a level of distinction or superiority of one over the other. Islam does not accept the concept of “chosen people” as Jews use to call themselves. Quran clearly says,” O mankind! Behold, we have created you into nations and tribes so that you might come to know one another. Verily the noblest of you in the sight of God is one who is the most acutely aware of God” (13:49).
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) in his last addressed said to the people,” O people! Your Creator is one, and you are all the descendants of the same ancestor. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab or of the black over the red, except ethical conduct”. The only standard set by the Holy Quran for the distinction of a human is the Taqwa or piety, besides this, no one could be judged by any other standard. Islam has also not tried to enforce a certain tradition or culture on the people rather Islam supports multiculturalism as far as it is within the boundaries of Islam. The solid evidence is the widespread following of Islam ranging from Morocco to Indonesia within the ambit of their own cultures. Quran clarifies this point by saying,” And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colors” (30:22).
Islam is also quite pluralistic in its legal framework and does not force any of its laws on the non-Muslims. All the leading jurists of Islam are of the view that non-Muslim will be free to form their courts and legal systems within the ambit of state, which will dispense justice to the respective community. As earlier discussed, Islamic state will facilitate the non-Muslims with spiritual needs even if these requirements are against the very basic tenets of Islam. For example, the Islamic state will provide pork to the non-Muslims even though pork is severely forbidden in Islam. Non-Muslims will be free in pursuing their laws related to matters like inheritance, family issues, and their religious verdicts. Even State can go towards the formation of a uniform pluralistic law if that law is not against the teachings of all the religions.
The Islamic injunctions clearly tell us that we must have friendly relations even with our non-Muslim brothers, let alone with the sects of Islam. The religious, political, cultural and legal pluralism of Islam repels the propaganda that Islam is a religion of terror and violence. We must follow the teachings of Islam to put an end to this era of religious fanaticism and sectarianism. It’s time for us to decide whether we want to maintain these negative views about Islam or whether we want to show the world the real image of Islam and that is peace, harmony, and unity.
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