Moral Principles as the Basis of Islamic Culture — Page 16
of mankind and God is Mighiy, lf"ise. If you will not desist irom such practices you will surely be overtaken by ,a/,,,,;ily. " (Ch. VIII, v. 67, 68). Islam, being a religion, gives directions not only with regard to international relations but also furnishes guidance with regard to the regulation of inter-religious relations. It. is obvious that the peaceful adjustment of relations between the followers of different faiths is as essential for the maintenance of peace between different sections of ~d as the peaceful regulation of international relations. Indeed, it often happens that inter-religious ten. ~ion and distwbaaces become the direct cause of a breach of international peace, for, when religious passions are roused, bigotry and fanaticism obscure even palitical ia- terests. In addition to securing absolute freedom of conscience, Islam seeks to establish the widest measure of tolerance. . The Quran says: '. 'There shtill be no compulsion in matters of conscience. Guidance has been made ma. nife. rt· and been distingttished from error. " (Ch. II, v. 256). It teaches that persons. and things held in reverence by other people, should n~t be treated with disrespect by Muslims. For. instance~ the teachings of Islam concerning the Unity of God are absolutely uncom- promising. Yet, Muslims are forbidden the use of harsh expressions with reference to idols and false gods whom others revere and regard as sacred, the principle being that those who believe in them may be as devoted to them a3d as sensitive on the score of their sanctity as the Muslims are with regard to God and those whom. they revere as prophets. If the Musliins desire that other people should revere those to whom sanctity is assigned by Islam, they must themselves show re- spect for those whom other people hold in reverence. The Qllra. n says: "Do not use ha,. sh lmtg11age for- those whom other people WIJ/(lship be- side-God, for then they, in their ignorance, otd of" desire //w retalia- tion, may ind11lge in abuse of Got/. You m"st recognize thM each people is devoted to that which it holds sacred. All will 11Jtimt11~l1 return to God and He wHI make manifest lo them the. . ,,;/ of what lhl1 practised. " (Ch. VI, v. 109) It is an error to suppcse thai: a person who believes in a false doc- trine thereby renders himself the object of divine displeasure and de-