Islam's Tolerance of the Religions of the Book

Abstract

.

This research addresses the topic of "The Tolerance of Islam Towards the Scriptural religions," aiming to refute the misconceptions that portray Islam as a religion of violence or intolerance. Instead, it highlights the values of tolerance and coexistence that Islam has established in its interactions with followers of other religions, particularly Judaism and Christianity. The research stems from the problem of media and intellectual distortions that depict Islam as a religion that rejects religious pluralism and threatens global peace. The research aims to clarify the Islamic principles governing the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims, such as the principle of "no compulsion in religion," freedom of belief, acceptance of religious pluralism, and recognition of the "other." It also examines historical examples of Islamic tolerance towards the People of the Book, such as the treaties of Dhimma and the protection of non-Muslims' rights in the Islamic state. Furthermore, the research sheds light on the impact of Islamic dialogue with Jews and Christians in promoting peaceful coexistence and rejecting violence. The research adopts an inductive and descriptive-analytical approach, analyzing Quranic texts, Prophetic traditions, and historical evidence that emphasize Islam's tolerance. Among the key findings are that Islam is a religion that advocates for peace and coexistence, affirms the rights of non-Muslims to practice their religious rituals, and demonstrates that Islamic tolerance is not merely a theoretical principle but a practical application evident in the treatment of "Ahl al-Dhimmah" (protected non-Muslims) throughout Islamic history.

The research recommends promoting the culture of Islamic tolerance and dispelling misconceptions about Islam, with a focus on interfaith dialogue as a means to achieve peaceful coexistence