The Qur’an
Words in action
Tolerance and intolerance
Muslims see Jews and Christians along with themselves as ‘People of the Book’. Like branches of the same tree, they share historic roots, with Abraham as their common forefather. But at the same time as preaching tolerance, the Qur’an describes Jews and Christians as having errant views. How this is played out in the actions of its followers depends on the context.
In the early days of Islam, Muslim peoples conquered huge areas and brought many more people into the faith. Even those enemies who fought back, and reconquered territories that had fallen to the Muslims, in turn were drawn to Islam.
In the period after the death of the prophet Muhammed, when Islam was in the ascendancy, the Qur’an acted as a springboard for an incredible leap in the development of Muslim art and architecture, science and medicine, mathematics and philosophy. Islam during that period was open, confident and tolerant. When it is under pressure, though, as it is in many parts of the world today, it tends to narrow its view and look inwards.
