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Does Islam advocate tolerance?

The Islamic religion is built upon preaching, tolerance, and kind argument.

Allah Almighty said:

{Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and reason with them in the best manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way and knows best those who are rightly guided.} [90] Surat an-Nahl: 125.

Since the Noble Qur’an is the last heavenly book and Muhammad is the last Prophet, therefore, the last Sharia of Islam opens the door for everyone to engage in dialogue and discuss the foundations and principles of the religion. "There is no compulsion in religion" is a guaranteed principle in Islam. None should be compelled to adopt the sound Fitrah-based Islamic creed provided that one respects others' inviolabilities and fulfills his duties towards the country in return for allowing him to maintain his religion and providing him with security and protection.

An example of this is ‘Umar's Assurance of Safety Pact that was written by the Caliph ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) to the people of Aelia (Jerusalem) when the Muslims conquered it in 638 AD, where he granted them security regarding their churches and properties. This pact is considered one of the most important documents in the history of Jerusalem.

"In the Name of Allah, from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb to the people of Aelia, they are safe regarding their lives, children, properties, and churches, which should not be demolished or inhabited." [91] "Ibn al-Bitrīq: At-Tārīkh al-Majmū‘ ‘ala at-Tahqīq wa at-Tasdīq" (2/147).

While Caliph ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) was dictating this pact, the time of prayer became due. So, Patriarch Sophronius invited him to pray where he was, in Al-Qiyāmah Church. However, the Caliph refused and said to him: "I am afraid if I do so, Muslims may make this an excuse one day for taking over the church from you, saying: The Commander of the Believers prayed here." [92] "Tārīkh at-Tabari" and Mujīr ad-Dīn al-‘Ulaymi al-Maqdisi.

It is true that Islam honors and fulfills the pacts and covenants with non-Muslims, but at the same time, it adopts an extremely firm attitude towards traitors and those who break pacts and covenants, and it prohibits Muslims from taking those deceitful people as allies.

{O you who believe, do not take as allies those who were given the Scripture before you and the disbelievers who ridicule your religion and make fun of it. And fear Allah if you are believers.} [93] Surat al-Mā’idah: 57.

The Noble Qur’an clearly and openly states in more than one place that those who fight against the Muslims and drive them out of their homes must not be taken as allies

{Allah does not forbid you from being kind and just to those who did not fight against you nor did they drive you out of your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you from taking as allies those who fought against you on account of your religion, and drove you out of your homes or helped others in driving you out. Whoever takes them as allies, it is they who are the wrongdoers.} [94] Surat al-Mumtahanah: 8-9.

The Noble Qur’an praises the monotheists from among the people of the Messiah and Moses (peace be upon them) during their time.

{Yet all are not alike: there are some among the People of the Book who are upright: they recite the verses of Allah during the night and they prostrate. They believe in Allah and the Last Day; enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong; and hasten in doing good deeds. They are among the righteous.} [95] Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 113-114.

{There are some among the People of the Book who believe in Allah and what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them; humbling themselves before Allah. They do not sell Allah’s verses for a small price. It is they who will have their reward with their Lord. Indeed, Allah is swift in reckoning.} [96] Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 199.

{The believers and those who were Jews, Christians, and the Sabians [before Muhammad] – whoever believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteous deed, they will have their reward with their Lord, and they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.} [97] Surat al-Baqarah: 62.