Yahya - Justice and Tolerance in the Qur'an (2003)

THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK IN THE OUR'AN
47
Then, is it to be expected of you, if you were put in
authority, that you will do mischief in the land, and
sever your ties of kinship? Such are the people God
has cursed, making them deaf and blinding their eyes.
(Qur'an, 47:22-23)
There are only grounds against those who wrong
people and act as tyrants in the earth without any right
to do so. Such people will have a painful punishment.
(Qur'an, 42:42)
In compliance with these commands of God, the rightful
reaction felt towards Zionism should not lapse into a kind of
an "antagonism towards Jews," and innocent people should
not be subjected to such unacceptable reactions. This is what
being just and tolerant entails.
Antisemitism and other kinds of racism (eg. prejudice
against blacks) are perversions arising from various
ideologies and superstitions. When we examine anti-
Semitism and other forms of racism, we see clearly that they
promote ideas and a model of society that is totally contrary
to the moral teachings of the Qur'an. At the root of anti-
Semitism for instance lie hatred, violence, and lack of
compassion. An anti-Semite may be so cruel as to support the
murder of Jewish people, men, women, children and the
aged, and condone their torture. However, the moral
teaching of the Qur'an enjoins love, compassion and mercy
for all people. It also commands Muslims to show justice and
be forgiving even to their enemies. As stated in the verse:
"...if someone kills another person—unless it is in
retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the
earth—it is as if he had murdered all mankind..." (Qur'an,