An opinion piece published in the New Straits Times

Mohamad Nasir, Mohamad Nasrin

The International Islamic University Malaysia Repository

Cara paling mudah untuk singkirkan lemak perut!Know MoreDieticaADToleration and justice two importantingredients for societal harmonyBy Dr Mohamad Nasrin Nasir - January 20, 2023 @ 7:52pmTolerance of different religions require us to have correct knowledge of their beliefsand practices and it requires us to be just in dealing with them. -NSTP/AIZUDDIN SAADTHE issue of toleration has recently been discussed in an inter-religiousdiscourse. It is seen to be an important factor when dealing with interreligion.Rightfully so, for if without toleration there would be problematic relationsand misunderstandings within a multireligious society.A neighbour who is of a different religion from us would practise certainactions connected to that religion which might encroach upon ourpersonal space via soundwave or visual sights.However, as we live in a multiracial society, we tolerate such actions.MORE NEWSZero-tolerance for sexual harassment,asserts MinisterCleanliness, hygiene important foreateriesFarizal is still important for JDTHague 'people's tribunal' urges justicefor journalistsnews2ppl.comThe fast way to lose belly fat isdiscoveredAD KNOW MOREMOST POPULARLATEST MOST READI-CareTidak perlu laser jika mata anda mulakabur!AD KNOW MORE16m Coffee, cake and cat cuddles at pet cafes18m Hyatt poised for continued transformativegrowth in 2023, and beyond40m #FASHION: MLB Brand opens  st store atIOI City Mall47m SunCon on target to achieve RM2bil contractreplenishment in FY23, says HLIB Research49m #CHILD: Understanding hernias in kids49m Better QoQ, YoY earnings for auto sectorexpected, says CGS-CIMB Research50m #Showbiz: Siti chosen as guest artiste forAR Rahman concertn over widespread sale of 'Tiger Pod' in front of school NATION  'One-off withdrawals won't affect EPF funds' BU    TrendingToleration also implies compromise today is your celebration, tomorrow ismine so the spirit of toleration implies compromise. Toleration alsomeans to tolerate not only the strength of someone but also theirweakness due to their lack of understanding.There is also another concept which is more important than tolerance andthat is justice. In fact, justice should be the basis for all human actions.ReplayAristotle in his Nicomachean Ethics, a book written to his sonNicomachea had said that justice is a result of action done by the virtuousindividual.To Aristotle, as he explained to his son, virtues are an important aspect ofall human actions. In fact, Aristotle believed that all human actions havevirtue as its aim. Virtue is an act that is balanced between two oppositeextremes.For example, courage is a virtue but it is between being a coward on oneextreme and too  amboyant in the other extreme. According to Aristotlevirtuous actions should be the aim of all human beings that is why hestarts with his son.Nicomachean Ethics was written to educate his son in regard to virtue sothat his son would become a virtuous person.In an inter-religious setting, we  nd that to be just is the best basis fortoleration to happen.It is mentioned in many verses of the Quran, however, we shall limitourself to just two: "God does not love the unjust!" (60:8) ; "Do not let thehatred that you have for a certain group lead you to be unjust with them!"(5:8).So, to know justice and to act in a just manner is a command in the Quranfor how could one not be unjust if one does not know what justice is inthe  rst place? To act in a just manner requires elaboration and of coursean education.To be just in the dealing with different religions would require anopenness to learn and to listen, in other words to gain knowledge aboutthe other.In a multireligious society as we have in Malaysia, learning about andfrom the various different religions is the only way we can achieveharmony and respect.For the society is like a human body says the Prophet if one part of thebody is hurt then the other part would also feel the pain and suffer as aresult. How can you not feel hurt and empathise when someone in yourneigbourhood is suffering from illness or whatnot.I-careTidak perlu laser jika mata anda mulakabur!AD KNOW MOREGET THE LATEST TOP NEWS DAILYSign up to receive NST daily newsletters!Your nameE-mail AddressSIGN UP NOWACROSS NEW STRAITS TIMESWHAT TO READ NEXTBADMINTON 10 hours agoZii Jia enters Indonesia Masterssecond round after midnightCRIME & COURTS 13 hours agoPolice arrest man in Kepong road rageincidentCRIME & COURTS Jan 25, 2023 @ 4:36pmSingaporean lawyer chides Shafee forincompetencyNATION Jan 25, 2023 @ 3:53pmPolice opens investigation againstmassive burning of  recrackers inSimpang PulaiBUSINESS Jan 24, 2023 @ 12:55pmEPF's "loss" after four withdrawals ofRM145bilNATION Jan 25, 2023 @ 10:21pmSPM workshop: No discrimination ofrace and religion of students - JohorExcoCRIME & COURTS 13 hours agoPolice arrest man in Kepong road rageincidentNATION Jan 25, 2023 @ 9:17pmDengue cases down by 8 pct last week -Health DGNATION Jan 25, 2023 @ 9:30pmGovt recommends TNG visa card'sname change to avoid confusionn over widespread ale of 'Tiger Pod' in front of school NATION  'One-off withdra als won't affect EPF funds' BU    TrendingThe Covid-19 pandemic that had engulfed the world in 2020-2021 hadtaught us just that it was impossible for us to ignore whatever thathappens in our world will in uence our personal space.The idea of peace includes people of different religions and cultures thanus for the holy Prophet was supported in Medina by not only Muslims butnon-Muslims whom he regarded as part of the ummah of Medina in theconstitution.The whole idea that privileges one religion against the other is an idea notbased upon justice but based upon a bias understanding of justice.Justice is good in all aspects and settings and within it are compromiseand tolerance to each other.To be unjust which God regards as being a sin and against His commandscan be regarded as an imbalance, one gaining more than the other or inother words discrimination between the two with one being privilegedagainst the other.Tolerance of different religions require us to have correct knowledge oftheir beliefs and practices and it requires us to be just in dealing withthem. To act in an unjust way and denying the correct knowledge of theother from reaching the public will not lead to societal harmony.Therefore, comparative religious discourse should be encouraged in amulti religious society as Malaysia.The writer is an associate professor at the International Institute ofIslamic Thought & Civilization, International Islamic University Malaysia(IIUM)The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do notnecessarily re ect those of the New Straits TimesThe fast way to lose belly fat is discoveredKnow Morenews2ppl.comADRELATED VIDEOSRELATED ARTICLESSTORIES FROM SAYSCRIME & COURTS 13 hours agoManjung cops bust suspected illegalbitcoin mining operationJan 25, 2023 @ 5:30pm9 Cleansing Oils, Balms & Liquids ToGet In Malaysia That Actually WorkJan 25, 2023 @ 5:45pmMOE Responds After Parents Call OutMuslim-Only SPM Workshops AtConvent SchoolJan 25, 2023 @ 5:40pmMat Sabu Assures Bird Flu Outbreak InUS & Europe Won't Affect Malaysia'sChicken SupplyJan 25, 2023 @ 5:38pm[VIDEO] Coffee Shop SupervisorPraised For Staying Calm WhileCustomer Screams At HerJan 25, 2023 @ 5:25pmNetizens Slam S'pore Family For EatingAt Restaurant While Their Maid SitsWithout A Mealn over widespread sale of 'Tiger Pod' in front of school NATION  'One-off wit drawals won't affect EPF funds' BU    Trending2023 © New Straits Times, New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd. A part of Media Prima Group.Subscribe Disclaimer Personal Data Protection Act Contact UsCOLUMNISTS Aug 2, 2022 @ 12:00amNurture tolerance, justice toensure continued peace andstabilityNATION Jan 21, 2023 @ 7:38pmRacial harmony, tolerance key toJohoreans' unity, says SultanNATION Aug 29, 2022 @ 12:01pm'Judge plays important role injustice system' [NSTTV]LETTERS Sep 17, 2022 @ 12:30amRespect for diversity keeps nationharmoniousGET MOBILE APPNEWSCrime & CourtsGovt / Public PolicyNationPoliticsBUSINESSBusiness TimesPropertyCars Bikes TrucksLIFE & TIMESSunday VibesBotsHealFlairJom!GrooveSPORTSFootballBadmintonTennisCyclingGolfMMAMotorSportCricketOthersWORLDWorldRegionRADIOGet Audio+Hot FMBuletin FMFly FM8FMMolek FMOPINIONColumnistsLettersLeaderGALLERYPhotosInfographicsNST PODCASTNST TVEDUCATIONVOUCHERn over widespread sale of 'Tiger Pod' in front of school NATION  'One-off withdrawals won't affect EPF funds' BU    Trending

Toleration and justice two important ingredients for societal harmony