Islam and Peace
Limits of Tolerance
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vented, and those who think and act in this way are
keen to retain the illusion that, in hitting back, they
are not doing anything unlawful.
Such thinking is quite wrong. In reality, when a
man is enraged at anything which goes against his
will, tolerance as a priority becomes paramount.
Many men strive to become supermen. But the true
superman is one who, in really trying situations,
can demonstrate his super-tolerance. Just any act of
antagonism does not give us the licence to be
intolerant. Rather, such occasions call for greater
tolerance than in normal circumstances. In
everyday matter, where there is none of the stress
and strain of opposition, no one has difficulty in
being tolerant. It is only in extraordinary situations,
fraught with conflict, that the truly tolerant man
will prove his mettle.
On January 1st, 1995, the United Nations
proclaimed 1995 as the “Year of Tolerance,” saying
that the ability to be tolerant of the actions, beliefs
and opinions of others is a major factor in
promoting world peace. The statement issued by
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and -
