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By
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In Al-Quran Allah said, meaning: “Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did.”
Al-An’am(6): 108
Islam prohibits forcing those of other religious beliefs to accept Islam. As a religion of Truth, Islam stands on delivering the message of Truth, and enjoins mankind to the path of Truth, and not by application of force but by voluntary and conscious understanding and acceptance. Forcing acceptance on the ignorant and unwilling brings a lot of harm; for one thing those who are forced are not likely to be sincere. Islam enjoins everyone to return to the original unity, the recognition, consciousness, acknowledgement, and firm acceptance of the common denominator of worship of One and only One God and not to associate Him with anything whatsoever. Allah said in al-Quran, meaning: “Say: ‘O people of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than Allah.’ If then they turn back, say ye: ‘Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s Will.’ ”
Ali Imran (3): 64
Tolerance and respect of other people’s beliefs and not hurting their feelings will, inshaAllah, contribute to the achievement of real harmony.
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