TOLERANCE AND ITS BENEFIT(S) Written By AlJannah Adedamola Sanni

Islam has covered the main issue, which is tolerance in all aspects starting from family to religious beliefs, that if the author should talk about it, she can write a book, but she intends on writing an article, so she would only evaluate it in a small portion. The Quran views tolerance as a needed ingredient to be able to coexist amongst ourselves in society that Allah talked a lot about it using many verses from numerous chapters. The author of this article would only make use of a few of them as attestations. The first one is in Chapter/Surah 49 which is Al-Hujurrah (The Chambers), verse 13 that “Ya ayyuha alnnasu inna khalaqnakum min thakarin waontha wajalnakum shuooban waqabaila litarafoo inna akramakum inda Allahi atqakum inna Allaha aleemun kabeer which means in the English Language that O mankind, indeed We have created you in male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is knowing and aware”. This relates to religion as well. The Quran says “no compulsion in Islam”. In one of the verses of Surah An Nahl: The Bee (16), Allah says Invite (all) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful graciousness. Your Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. Ash Shura: The Poets (Chapter 26) reveals to Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaee WaSalam) in one of its verses that If they turn away, we have not sent you as a guard over them, but to convey (the message).?

The author of this article intentionally started her writing with some Ayat/Verses from Surat/Chapters from the Holy Qur’an because she wants to discuss toleration of other individuals. What is tolerance? Tolerance, by description, is the acceptance of others despite their different beliefs, ethnicities, skin colors, races, educational backgrounds, family backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, genders and many more. As mentioned in an article written by Kamal Ahmad Khan on June 28th, 2011 titled The concept of tolerance in Islam mentioned that “Intolerance has become the culture of the day. It is causing death, genocide, violence, religious persecution as well as confrontations at different levels”. Khan also states that “Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious and moral duty”. In his article, Khan mentions the premises of the recognition of tolerance to be 1. The dignity of human beings 2. The basic equality of human beings 3. Universal human rights and 4. Fundamental freedom of thought, conscience and belief. The first two establishments to identify tolerance are related to the Social Work’s Code of Ethics. The Social Work Code of Ethics is categorized into six parts, and they are 1. Service 2. Social Justice 3. Dignity and Worth of the Person 4. Importance of Human Relationships 5. Integrity and 6. Competence. The first one deals with giving resources to individuals without any form of injustice or biases. The second one deals with being fair to everyone. The third one deals with seeing people for who they are. The fourth one deals with being able to hold connections with people. The fifth one deals with being truthful and trustworthy while the last but not the least deals with being able to do one’s work efficiently. After evaluating the Social Work Code of Ethics, the penner of this writing would say tolerance is associated with the second, third, fourth, and fifth codes. The third premise to tolerance stated by Khan is under International Law. International Human Rights Law refers to “the body of international law designed to promote and protect human rights at the international, regional and domestic levels” (USCIS). Human Rights are protected under 1. The right of life 2. Equality before the law 3. Freedom of expression 4. The rights to work 5. Social Security and 6. Education (United Nations, UN).?

Though some individuals are very difficult to endure, as we are created differently. Take Lagos State (one of the Western nations), Lasgidi (a street name for it) of Nigeria for example. It was named by the Portuguese when they set foot in Nigeria. It is a Yoruba state (Eko, the Yoruba name) ruled by an ?ba, ?ba Ridwanullah/Ridwan Babatunde O?u?lale Aremu Akiolu is the present ruler of Lagos state, yet it is one of the multi tribal communities in Nigeria which houses the Yorubas, Ibos, Hausas, Nupes, and other tribes of Nigeria, not just those but also Indians, Whites, Chinese and other countries live in Lagos. If Lagos state had not been an indulging state, do we think these sets of people aforementioned would have the guts to want to stay? The author of this writing is using her skill, talent and love of writing to implore individuals to accept others irrespective of their juxtapositions with us because we only know today, what do we know would happen tomorrow??