Islam:

Religious tolerance and Islam

M.B.M. Mahir

tolerance: To recognise all the religions, their books and their messengers is a basic principle of Islam. From time immemorial these messages and messengers have guided the destiny of humanity.

Unity in diversity is the norm behind religious understanding. Hence the approach to religious tolerance should begin from the intellect and the individual on a general and generous knowledge of religions.

In Islam, religious tolerance is a basic quality of a true Muslim. Islamic law applies different interpretation to Muslim society living amongst Non-Muslim communities. In a Hetra Genious community where in various groups and beliefs are prevalent religious tolerance becomes a way of life.

In the annals of Islamic history we observe many interesting references of Islamic tolerance towards other religions.

In the early period of Islam, when prophet Muhammed (P.B.O.H.) confronted opposition to his mission he exercised tolerance and patience towards his opponents and won over them. "The peace of Hudaibiya" a treaty which he signed with the opposing Non Muslim Quaraish is an exemplary situation. The prophet came with his followers to Mecca to perform Haj. But he was stopped at a place called Hudaibiya by the Quraish. Among opposition from his own friends the prophet agreed to go back to Madina and return next year for Haj, avoiding bloodshed and confrontation. The Holy Quaran refer to this incident and commends the prophet as "We have bestowed great success to you" when you signed the treaty of peace, Almighty Allah's grace was with you'.

In the life and mission of prophet Muhammed (P.B.O.H.) we come across many incidents of religious tolerance.

When Anashabi (friend) who embrace Islam, failed to visit his mother, the prophet advised him to visit her and care for her even though she has not embrace Islam.

The prophet was very kind to the Christians and Jews and always entertained them for discussion. Even in the battlefield, he treated the prisoners of war respectfully. Among the prisoners if there were educated ones, he made them to teach as a price for freedom. Similarly, those who excel in carpentry, armoury, physical ability and the like were made to use their talents on the less fortunate, and release them with honour. He was indeed a personification of religious tolerance.

It is interesting to observe that during the caliphate of Hazrath Umar (Rali) many incidents of religious amity are reported. Hazrath Umar has availed the opportunity of praying in Christian Protestant Churches during his visit if and when mosques are not available. Once, Amr Iba al Mas was governor under Hazrath Umar, a vagabond has damaged the statue of Jesus Christ purposely to create religious disturbances. This action hurt not only the Christians but also the Muslims.

The culprit was found and punished. Both the Muslims and Christians together restored the prestige and reinstalled the statue in its original form. This demonstrates the impact of religious tolerance in Islam. Lately when India was ruled by Moghol Kings, they have always cared for the Hindu religion in particular and all other in general. King Akbar, King Arber Bathusha and others are shining examples of religious tolerance, Akbar introduced a system called "Deene Ilahi" to bring co operation and collaboration among Hindus and Muslims.

Religious beliefs should not encourage violence, hatred and enmity among its followers, as unity, love and friendliness will be destroyed. In our days it is encouraging to note the participation of all religious leaders in state functions and collectively contributing for peace and harmony. This gesture will develop religious tolerance.

In our days, we have known of incidents where the Buddhist clergy have been generous enough to accommodate. The Faisal Jamaath, the walking group of the Thabligh movement, who travel by foot and stop at over night in mosques. At some places they have been accommodated in Buddhist Viharas to spend the night. This action of the Buddhist clergy is a great example of tolerance and amity.

In this age of computer, internet, web and the like it is very much essential for all religious faiths and beliefs to execute unified action and pave the way for religious tolerance. Islam and Muslims can set an unique example as the great scholar, Dr. Saeed Ramadan observes. "At a time the very existence of religion is at stake any effort to promote the cause of moral values is the timely contribution to meet the combat and challenges of our age. Being Muslims, it is only honest to make a start."

Islam - historic and definite

This article is based on the book titled, 'An Approach to the Study of the Quran' by Sir Nizamat Jung.

ANALYSIS: Islam has two distant advantages over the other great religions of the world - that of having been born in the full light of history - and that of having been given to the world in the form of an unalterable document. Hardly any other religion can claim the same definiteness either in respect of its birth or of its content. And this is the main reason why there is no mystery about Islam and why it has been so little liable to the illusive process of traditional mystification.

Almost all historians have analysed the chronological and other relevant facts about Prophet Muhammed (Sal) and his family. Similarly, what Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Sal) has ben analysed by both Muslim and non-Muslim linguists and researchers and has been found to be an unalterable book of guidance to mankind.

Supervised by Providence, the Quran was given to the world by revealing in a very definite rational sense to a very definite human being who was neither a myth nor a shadowy Godman. It was sent right into the midst of two great empires bordering upon the land of its birth; it came into conflict with them; it overcame both and was completely absorbed by one of them.

It subjugated ancient kingdoms not so much by its arms as by the forceful vitality of its new culture and civilization. There is no mysterious haze surrounding it; it stands out before our eyes a clearly defined historic fact. And there is no mystery in its tenets because they rest upon three simple fundamental beliefs supported by reason: (1) The undoubtable supremacy of one omnipotent creator and controller of all things; (2) His communication of vital truths to man through a chosen messenger in the form of Revelation; (3) An intelligible message rationally explained for the spiritual and moral guidance of man in his present life.

Here is a conception of religion too simple to admit of sacerdotal mystification. It brings faith within every man's reach and makes it acceptable through reason.

1. There is but one God (Allah) Omnipotent, Just and Merciful who can say this without becoming an atheist or polytheist?

2. He appoints messengers and guides for directing man on the straight path. Who can question the truth of this without setting aside all the Prophets and teachers and leaders known to all the religions?

3. He sends an intelligible message for the moral and spiritual guidance of man. Who can contest this without dissociating morality from religion and thus making the latter useless.

To anyone who recognises the truth of all this, there can be no doubt as to the strength of the claim put forward for Islam on these general grounds. But, it is conceivable that if such a person happened to be a non-Muslim, he might be inclined to question whether the great Prophet of Islam was a real Prophet missioned by God (Allah). The answer to this would depend upon one's notion as to what a real Prophet is, with what qualities he is endowed, in what manner he appears and conducts his mission, what kind of message he conveys to mankind and whence his impulse to action is derived.

Compiled by M. Y. M. Meeadh

Hinduism:

Nallur Kanthaswamy festival attracts thousands of devotees

festival: The annual festival of Nallur Kanthaswamy festival in Jaffna, Sri Lanka commenced on August 18, with Kodi Etram - the ceremony of flag hoisting to mark the beginning of the festival in the temple. The festival commenced yesterday at 10 AM. According to tradition, Nallur Kanthaswamy Temple is said to be one of the few temples in the Peninsula that all the festivals, rites and observances as found in the Hindu traditions are practised and reflected with regularity, splendor and pageantry.

The temple festival is being held for 25 days. Unlike earlier annual festivals, according to the temple authorities, this year the festival is to be held with subdued version of the pageant and pageantry.

The day pooja (adoration of deities with rituals) is to be held with the temple deity taken in a procession within the inner court of the temple. The evening pooja during the festival days will be held with the deity taken in procession at 4.45 pm. Temple authorities revealed that the day's pooja will be over by 5.30 in the evening for that day. On August 16, the temple flag was brought to the temple in a procession from the Theradi Murugan matt located at the Sattanathar Street.

The annual festival of the famous Nallur Kandasamy Temple in the Jaffna peninsula is expected to draw tens of thousands of pilgrims from across Sri Lanka and also a few hundreds of Tamil expatriates from Western countries.

Nallur Kanthaswamy Temple is one of the most important temples in the Jaffna peninsula. The annual festival used to commence on the sixth day of the Amavaci- New moon in the month of Aadi (July - August) and last for 25 days.

It is said to be one of the impressive temples dedicated to Lord Murugan.The annual festival of the famous Nallur Kandasamy Temple in the Jaffna.

Many devotees carry kavadi, an act of paying penance. A kavadi is a decorated arch with two milk pots to be offered in the worship. Many carriers also pierce their body with small silver spears or hooks. Rolling around the temple on the hot sand is also a common practice.

Normally fifty temple priests conduct different activities on

 each of the 25 days of the festival, beginning with the flag raising through a series of very elaborate ther - chariot processions to the final theertham - "water cutting" ceremony to immerse the deities and mark the festival's end.

Historians say that the history of the Nallur temple is closely intertwined with the history of Jaffna. Prof. Gunarasa of Jaffna University in his book on the Temple says that the Temple was originally constructed in a place called Kurukal Valavu in A.D 948. The temple was destroyed in AD 1450 during the invasion of the Sinhalese King Shenpakaperumal (Sapumal Kumaraya). Sapumal Kumaraya defeated King Arya Chakkaravarthi, destroyed his palace and the original Nallur temple. But upon becoming Buvaneka Bahu the 6th, he sought to make amends by building a new temple in 1467 at a nearby location, says Shanmugapriya in Nallur Kanthaswamy: A Spiritual Experience.

S.Pathmanathan in his Hindu Temples of Sri Lanka states the temple established by Buvaneka Bahu continued

to flourish even after he had lost authority over Yappanam and the Tamil Kings who were restored to power around 1467 extended royal patronage until they were displaced from power around 1620 by the Portuguese. Philip de Oliveyra who took control of Yalppanam in 1619 ordered the large Nallur temple razed down in 1621.

Thereafter according to C.S. Navaratnam in 'A Short History of Hinduism in Ceylon, wrote, for nearly 170 years there were no temples for worship for the Hindus in that locality. When the Dutch in their latter period became more liberal, some pious people applied for permission to build a temple and permission was granted in 1773. The temple was again reconstructed in 1774 during the time of Dutch rule by Irakunatha Mappanar Mudaliyar in the piece of land that belonged to the old Kanthaswamy Temple.

Today Nallur Kanthaswamy Temple is the best administered temple in the Island and in its popularity it is only second to Kataragama.

- Asian Tribune