SPIRIT OF ISLAM MAY 2O18

17 Spirit of Islam Issue 65 May 2018 BENEFITS OF TOLERANCE Peaceful Society Tolerance is a law of nature stamped on the hearts of all men. N OTHING could be truer than this statement by Voltaire; tolerance is, indeed, a permanent law of nature. But it is not something which has to be externally imposed, for the human desire for tolerance is limitless. Just as truth and honesty are virtues, so is tolerance a virtue. And just as no one ever needs to ask for how long one should remain truthful and honest, so should one think of tolerance as having an eternal value. The way of tolerance should be unquestioningly adopted at all times as possessing superior merit. A man who is intolerant is not showing high character in the full sense of the expression. To become enraged at dissension is surely a sign of weakness. Of course, there are many who do not want to recognize the principle of tolerance as being eternal, for, in conditions of adversity, the temptation to retaliate becomes too strong. The feelings of anger which accompany negative reaction must somehow be vented, and those who think and act in this way are keen to retain the illusion that, in hitting back, they are not doing anything unlawful. Such thinking is quite wrong. In reality, when a man is disturbed at anything which goes against his will, tolerance as a priority becomes paramount. Many men strive to become supermen. But the true superman is one who, in really trying situations, can demonstrate his super-tolerance. Situations of disagreements or differences does not give us the licence to be intolerant. Rather, such occasions call for greater tolerance than in normal circumstances. In everyday matters, where there is none of the stress and strain of opposition, no one has difficulty in being tolerant. It is only in extraordinary situations, fraught with conflict, that the truly tolerant man will prove his mettle. The ability to be tolerant of the actions, beliefs and opinions of others is a major factor in promoting world peace. Racism and religious fanaticism in many countries has led to many forms of discrimination and the intimidation of those who hold contrary views. Violence against and intimidation of authors, journalists and others who exercise their freedom of expression, are also present along with political movements which seek to make particular groups responsible for social ills such as crime and unemployment. Intolerance is one of the greatest challenges of the 21 st century. Intolerance is both an ethnic and political problem. It is a rejection of the differences between individuals and between