Social Tolerance with Non-Muslims and thoughts of Syed Attaullah Shah Bukhari (Analytical analysis in the light of the current Era)

Abstract

Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance. Muslims respect the beliefs of others and treat them with kindness and justice. In the West, there is often a negative view of Islam, which is based on ignorance and prejudice. Muslims are often misunderstood and misrepresented in the media. The thought that Islam is a religion of intolerance and teaches bigotry toward other religions it is beyond reality. The fact is that it teaches tolerance to every human regardless of his/ her religion. Muslims are not allowed to convert anyone to Islam forcefully. Syed Attaullah Shah Bukhari was a Muslim scholar who always believed in social tolerance. He believed in the equality of religions and political systems around the world. His thoughts are sophisticated and applicable even in the current era. Syed Attaullah Shah Bukhari not only treated Muslims affectionately and gleefully but also gave the same respect to the Hindu, Sikh, and Christian communities, which had a great effect on them. Sometimes he addressed in Hindu Temple and sometimes he sprinkled the pearls of his wisdom with the recitation of the Holy Quran in Gurdwara (Sikh temple). People observed him taking his meals with Christian sweepers and with those people with whom people avoid mixing up with them. Syed Ata Ulla Shah Bukhari always said that religion purges the heart of humans. According to him, the religion which does not touch the human heart is not a religion, but politics and he did not have any relation with this ‘politics. This article provides an overview of Islamic teachings about social tolerance. It is an attempt to provide Syed Ata Ulla Shah Bukhari’s practical thoughts on religious and social tolerance and an overview of the results that are embedded in his thoughts and character in Indian society. In the end, some suggestions will be given to rectify the present behavior toward non-Muslims.