Religious Freedom and Tolerance in the Quraan

[Sohel]

Religious Freedom and Tolerance in the Koran
A dialogue of peaceful co-existence

[al-Baqarah 2:108] Do you wish to demand of your messenger what was demanded of Moses in the past? Anyone who chooses disbelief, instead of belief, has truly strayed off the right path.

[al-Baqarah 2:109] Many followers of the scripture would rather see you revert to disbelief, now that you have believed. This is due to jealousy on their part, after the truth has become evident to them. You shall pardon them, and leave them alone, until GOD issues His judgment. GOD is Omnipotent.

[al-Baqarah 2:111] Some have said, "No one will enter Paradise except Jews or Christians!" Such is their wishful thinking. Say, "Show us your proof, if you are right."

[al-Baqarah 2:112] Indeed, those who submit themselves absolutely to GOD alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

[al-Baqarah 2:113] The Jews said, "The Christians have no basis," while the Christians said, "The Jews have no basis." Yet, both of them read the scripture. Such are the utterances of those who possess no knowledge. GOD will judge them on the Day of Resurrection, regarding their disputes.

[al-Baqarah 2:114] Who are more evil than those who obstruct GOD's places of worship, where His name is commemorated, and contribute to their desertion? These ought not to enter therein except with reverence. They will suffer in this life humiliation, and will suffer in the Hereafter a terrible retribution.

[al-Baqarah 2:118] Those who possess no knowledge say, "If only GOD could speak to us, or some miracle could come to us!" Others before them have uttered similar utterances; their minds are similar. We do manifest the miracles for those who have attained certainty.

[al-Baqarah 2:119] We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news, as well as a warner. You are not answerable for those who incur Hell.

[al-Baqarah 2:120] Neither the Jews, nor the Christians, will accept you, unless you follow their religion. Say, "GOD's guidance is the true guidance." If you acquiesce to their wishes, despite the knowledge you have received, you will find no ally or supporter to help you against GOD.

[al-Baqarah 2:126] Abraham prayed: "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and provide its people with fruits. Provide for those who believe in GOD and the Last Day." (God) said, "I will also provide for those who disbelieve. I will let them enjoy, temporarily, then commit them to the retribution of Hell, and a miserable destiny."

[al-Baqarah 2:137] If they believe as you do, then they are guided. But if they turn away, then they are in opposition. GOD will spare you their opposition; He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.

[al-Baqarah 2:138] Such is GOD's system, and whose system is better than GOD's? "Him alone we worship."

[al-Baqarah 2:139] Say, "Do you argue with us about GOD, when He is our Lord and your Lord? We are responsible for our deeds, and you are responsible for your deeds. To Him alone we are devoted."

[al-Baqarah 2:141] That was a community from the past. They are responsible for what they earned, and you are responsible for what you earned. You are not answerable for anything they did.

[al-Baqarah 2:142] The fools among the people would say, "Why did they change the direction of their Qiblah?" Say, "To GOD belongs the east and the west; He guides whoever wills in a straight path."

[al-Baqarah 2:143] We thus made you a moderate community, that you may serve as witnesses among the people, and the messenger serves as a witness among you. We changed the direction of your original Qiblah only to distinguish those among you who readily follow the messenger from those who would turn back on their heels. It was a difficult test, but not for those who are guided by GOD. GOD never puts your worship to waste. GOD is Compassionate towards the people, Most Merciful.

[al-Baqarah 2:145] Even if you show the followers of the scripture every kind of miracle, they will not follow your Qiblah. Nor shall you follow their Qiblah. They do not even follow each others' Qiblah. If you acquiesce to their wishes, after the knowledge that has come to you, you will belong with the transgressors.

[al-Baqarah 2:148] Each of you chooses the direction to follow; you shall race towards righteousness. Wherever you may be, GOD will summon you all. GOD is Omnipotent.

[al-Baqarah 2:149] Wherever you go, you shall turn your face (during Salat) towards the Sacred Masjid. This is the truth from your Lord. GOD is never unaware of anything you all do.

[al-Baqarah 2:150] Wherever you go, you shall turn your face (during Salat) towards the Sacred Masjid; wherever you might be, you shall turn your faces (during Salat) towards it. Thus, the people will have no argument against you, except the transgressors among them. Do not fear them, and fear Me instead. I will then perfect My blessings upon you, that you may be guided.

[al-Baqarah 2:159] Those who conceal our revelations and guidance, after proclaiming them for the people in the scripture, are condemned by GOD; they are condemned by all the condemners.

[al-Baqarah 2:160] As for those who repent, reform, and proclaim, I redeem them. I am the Redeemer, Most Merciful.

[al-Baqarah 2:213] The people used to be one community when GOD sent the prophets as bearers of good news, as well as warners. He sent down with them the scripture, bearing the truth, to judge among the people in their disputes. Ironically, those who received the scripture were the ones who rejected any new scripture, despite clear proofs given to them. This is due to jealousy on their part. GOD guides those who believe to the truth that is disputed by all others, in accordance with His will. GOD guides whoever wills in a straight path.

[al-Baqarah 2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

[al-Baqarah 2:272] You are not responsible for guiding anyone. GOD is the only one who guides whoever chooses (to be guided).

[Al-Imran 3:20] And if they argue with thee, (O Muhammad), say: I have surrendered my purpose to Allah and (so have) those who follow me. And say unto those who have received the Scripture and those who read not: Have ye (too) surrendered ? If they surrender, then truly they are rightly guided, and if they turn away, then it is thy duty only to convey the message (unto them). Allah is Seer of (His) bondmen.

[Al-Imran 3:61] And whoso disputeth with thee concerning him, after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, say (unto him): Come! We will summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, then we will pray humbly (to our Lord) and (solemnly) invoke the curse of Allah upon those who lie.

[Al-Imran 3:63] And if they turn away, then lo! Allah is Aware of (who are) the corrupters.

[Al-Imran 3:64] Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).

[Al-Imran 3:69] A party of the People of the Scripture long to make you go astray; and they make none to go astray except themselves, but they perceive not.

[Al-Imran 3:70] O People of the Scripture! Why disbelieve ye in the revelations of Allah, when ye (yourselves) bear witness (to their truth) ?

[Al-Imran 3:71] O People of the Scripture! Why confound ye truth with falsehood and knowingly conceal the truth ?

[Al-Imran 3:72] And a party of the People of the Scripture say: Believe in that which hath been revealed unto those who believe at the opening of the day, and disbelieve at the end thereof, in order that they may return;

[Al-Imran 3:73] And believe not save in one who followeth your religion - Say (O Muhammad): Lo! the guidance is Allah's Guidance - that anyone is given the like of that which was given unto you or that they may argue with you in the presence of their Lord. Say (O Muhammad): Lo! the bounty is in Allah's hand. He bestoweth it on whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

[Al-Imran 3:85] And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.

[Al-Imran 3:86] How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and (after) they bore witness that the messenger is true and after clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) had come unto them. And Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.

[Al-Imran 3:87] As for such, their guerdon is that on them rests the curse of Allah and of angels and of men combined.

[Al-Imran 3:88] They will abide therein. Their doom will not be lightened, neither will they be reprieved;

[Al-Imran 3:89] Save those who afterward repent and do right. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

[Al-Imran 3:90] Lo! those who disbelieve after their (profession of) belief, and afterward grow violent in disbelief: their repentance will not be accepted. And such are those who are astray.

[Al-Imran 3:98] Say: O People of the Scripture! Why disbelieve ye in the revelations of Allah, when Allah (Himself) is Witness of what ye do ?

[Al-Imran 3:99] Say: O People of the Scripture! Why drive ye back believers from the way of Allah, seeking to make it crooked, when ye are witnesses (to Allah's guidance) ? Allah is not unaware of what ye do.

[Al-Imran 3:128] It is no concern at all of thee (Muhammad) whether He relent toward them or punish them; for they are evil-doers.

[Al-Imran 3:176] Let not their conduct grieve thee, who run easily to disbelief, for lo! they injure Allah not at all. It is Allah's Will to assign them no portion in the Hereafter, and theirs will be an awful doom.

[Al-Imran 3:177] Those who purchase disbelief at the price of faith harm Allah not at all, but theirs will be a painful doom.

[Al-Imran 3:178] And let not those who disbelieve imagine that the rein We give them bodeth good unto their souls. We only give them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. And theirs will be a shameful doom.

[Al-Imran 3:186] Assuredly ye will be tried in your property and in your persons, and ye will hear much wrong from those who were given the Scripture before you, and from the idolaters. But if ye persevere and ward off (evil), then that is of the steadfast heart of things.

[Al-Imran 3:196] Let not the vicissitude (of the success) of those who disbelieve, in the land, deceive thee (O Muhammad).

[Al-Imran 3:197] It is but a brief comfort. And afterward their habitation will be hell, an ill abode.

[Al-Imran 3:200] O ye who believe! Endure, outdo all others in endurance, be ready, and observe your duty to Allah, in order that ye may succeed.

Compiled by Neil Maybanks
neil_maybanks@yahoo.com.au

http://www.free-minds.org/articles/quranic/wisdom.htm

I've only listed the verses from Al Baqarah and Al Imran, there are literally hundreds of other Quraanic verses in this compilation. Just hit the link and be overwhelmed if you wish.

[Sohel]

Dear Fazal,

As a favor to me which you are under no obligation whatsoever to do, please hit the link and take look at the sheer volume of what I'm talking about, then tell me if the Vladawa Virus allows for posting the useful page in its entirety ...

Thanks.

Peace, Sohel.