The Tolerance of the Islamic Religion

The Russian newspaper Riech published that its special correspondent in the High Porte (Istanbul) met His Eminence the Sheikh al-Islam and posed four questions to him, requesting an answer to each. These were:

• What is the view of the Sheikh al-Islam on the education of Muslim women?
• What is the view of the Sheikh al-Islam on what Turkish newspapers have published regarding the necessity of translating the Holy Qur’an into the Turkish language?
• How does the Sheikh al-Islam view the Ottoman technical schools?
• What does the Sheikh al-Islam understand from the statements calling for freedom of religion?

His Eminence responded to the first question by saying:
(The Holy Qur'an commands all men and women to acquire knowledge. Therefore, every individual among them must learn reading and writing. For this reason, we welcome—with an open heart—the spread of education of all kinds among women, in addition to their attainment of elementary sciences. I believe it is more appropriate and correct for a female doctor to handle the treatment of a sick Muslim woman, and therefore, girls should be taken to medical schools. As for the matter of women taking up the profession of law and judgeship, that issue has not yet been settled in other countries, and I do not know how the local people in our country view this issue.)

Responding to the second question, His Eminence said:
(Understanding the Qur'an is an absolute obligation upon Muslims. Therefore, we do not oppose the idea of translating the Qur'an into the Turkish language. In fact, we consider exerting every effort to bring this noble idea into existence to be a great religious duty upon us. However, since many passages in the Qur'an are difficult for the general public to understand, and their resolution requires extensive knowledge and study, we consider it obligatory that the task of translating the Qur'an be entrusted to the most virtuous Muslim philosophers who possess a complete familiarity with the language of the Qur'an, the spirit of Islam, and Arabic literature, so that there is no fear of changing its magnificent meanings.)

He answered the third question with a response that translates to:
We, the men of religion, are responsible for overseeing the affairs of religious schools. As for technology and arts, that matter is not in our hands; rather, it is up to the government and the populace. Therefore, we do not interfere in its affairs. The government should select for its schools the arts and sciences that will lead to the progress of the people, the strength of the state, and the civilization of the country. We do not ask the government to hand them over to us or for its elementary schools to be under our influence.
There is only one period of religious studies in the technical schools, and I repeat that art and industry are not the work of the men of religion but the work of the government. However, they are not contrary to religion, and for this reason, we completely entrust this matter to the government.

He said, responding to the fourth question:

(We possess a great deal of religious freedom, but we do not, under any circumstances, interfere in the religious affairs, specific characteristics, or conscience of other nations. If we intervene, it is only through speech. The true religion commands every Muslim married to a Christian wife to send his wife to visit her relatives twice a week. Our noble Prophet did not burden people with what they could not bear, to the extent that Turkey, even in the times when it had great power, did not put pressure on its Christian subjects regarding their religious matters. Therefore, the rule of complete freedom in religious matters should be implemented so that everyone feels secure in their belief and religion.)

The Status of Apostates from Islam

At this point, the correspondent interrupted His Eminence, asking for his opinion on those who convert from Islam to Christianity. He replied:
(Suppose a military squad deserts from the ranks of the fighters; undoubtedly, you would consider them the worst kind of traitors and would then sentence them to the severest punishment. Likewise, we are one nation, and we melt with sorrow over every one who leaves our ranks, and we feel a profound displeasure towards them. This stance of ours is not contrary to religious freedom, which is built on the foundation that all people are free to choose in matters of religion. We do not ask the government, under any circumstances, to punish those who leave the religion or to pressure them with laws and restrictions. We only judge those who leave the religion with a moral judgment. It is not possible to force people to accept Islam or Christianity, and if a person has the choice to apostatize, no barrier prevents us from showing our hatred and aversion towards him.)

A Muslim Marrying a Christian Woman

The correspondent also asked His Eminence, saying: Islam permits its adherents to marry Christian girls, so why is a Muslim girl forbidden from marrying a Christian man? He replied by saying:
(You know that the husband's influence in the home is above the wife's, and she is subject to him. We, the Muslims, consider both Jews and Christians to be People of the Book. We believe in their scriptures and affirm their messengers. For this explicit reason, we are able to live with a Jewish or Christian woman without the slightest transgression against her belief or interference with her religious matters. However, Jews and Christians do not believe in the Qur'an and do not affirm our noble Prophet; rather, they consider them a complete falsehood. Therefore, it is forbidden for Muslims to place their girls under the influence of people whose condition is such, as our true religion forbids this.)

Muslims of Russia

His Eminence then turned the discussion towards the Muslims of Russia, saying:
(I have always advised the Muslims of Russia to be obedient and loyal to their homeland, but they must fiercely cling to their religious rights and their national ties.)

Spiritual Scholars and Religious Freedom

The topic of religious freedom was then opened again, as he said:
(I am on the side of those who advocate for complete freedom concerning religion, and I believe that if all the spiritual scholars were to believe that all human beings are brothers and are equal servants of the One, All-Powerful God, then religious disputes would disappear from among them, and the effects of oppression and strife would be erased.)

The correspondent then commented on the foregoing, saying:
(Let the readers understand the high status of the head of the Muslim scholars and judge the rest of the heads of other religions.) E.N.D.