Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim

1. Introduction

Psychologically and sociologically, forcing belief only produces hypocrisy, not faith. Faith is the product of freedom of thought and clarity of heart. Wasathiyah in religious tolerance is the balance point between an exclusive attitude that is hostile and an excessive inclusive attitude that goes too far. We believe in the absolute truth of our religion, yet we also give others space to live by their chosen beliefs. This is the "Space of Harmony": we can sit at the same table for humanitarian affairs, even though we prostrate in different directions for matters of divinity.

Evidence from the Qur’an and Hadith

لَآ اِكْرَاهَ فِى الدِّيْنِۗ قَدْ تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ

"There is no compulsion in religion. The right path has become clear from the wrong..." (QS. Al-Baqarah : 256)

لَكُمْ دِيْنُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِيْنِ

"For you is your religion, and for me is my religion." (QS. Al-Kafirun : 6)

2. Lessons and Messages

A Muslim’s nobility is tested when interacting with those who are different. Tolerance does not mean we validate every belief; it means we respect the human right to choose one’s belief. Do not be a Muslim who feels entitled to judge others inside and out, for our task is to spread mercy, not to be the Day of Judgment committee for God’s fellow creations.When Caliph Umar bin Khattab ra. conquered Jerusalem, he was invited by Patriarch Sophronius to pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Yet Umar gently declined. He chose to pray outside the church. He said, "If I pray inside, I fear that Muslims after me will take over this church with the excuse ‘Umar once prayed here.’" Umar protected the worship place of another faith even from the shadows of the future. This is the pinnacle of religious rights protection born from a magnanimous heart.Tolerance is like living next door in a housing complex. You are fully convinced that your home’s interior is the best and most comfortable (religious belief). Your neighbor also has the right to feel his home is the best. Tolerance does not mean you have to sleep over at your neighbor’s house or tear down the walls between you to become one. Tolerance means you make sure your music doesn’t disturb his sleep, and you greet him warmly when you meet on the street, without having to meddle with the contents of his wardrobe.Someone asked, "Ustadz, if I’m tolerant, may I join worship at another religion’s place of worship so I’m seen as modern?" The Ustadz replied, "Look, son. If you have a wife you love deeply, and your neighbor celebrates his wife’s birthday, is your way of being tolerant to also claim the neighbor’s wife as yours? Of course not, right? You just send a cake or give your congratulations without entering their bedroom. Tolerance knows the boundaries of the fence; it doesn’t tear down the door!"

3. Conclusion

Dear brothers and sisters, let us hold to Laa Ikraha fid Diin (there is no compulsion) in da’wah, and uphold Lakum Dinukum wa Liya Diin in aqidah. Be a Muslim who is firm in faith yet gentle in character. Do not force others into our house, but neither let others dictate what we must believe inside our own house. That is the beauty of moderation.

والله أعلم بالصواب

الحمد لله رب العالمين

Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmaullahi Wabarakatuh.

ِAbu Sultan Al-Qadrie