Principles of Islam
56. Tolerance
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The tolerant man will always consider the case of
others sympathetically, be they relatives or friends,
and irrespective of the treatment he is given by
them, be it of a positive or a negative nature.
Tolerance means, in essence, to give consideration
to others. In social life, friction between people does
occur in every society, differences arising from
religion, culture, tradition and personal tastes
persist. In such a situation the superior cause of
action is to adopt the ways of concession and large-
heartedness without any compromise of principle.
That is to say that the pious man should be a man of
principle as far as he himself is concerned, but
should be tolerant towards others. He should judge
himself in the light of the ideal but in the matter of
his fellow men he should show tolerance and
broad-mindedness. This being inseparable from
human gentility and nobility, Islam aims to produce
this fine human quality of gentlemanliness by
preaching tolerance.
