التسامح الفكري في الدعوة إلى الله عند الشيخ أحمد بن حمد الخليلي : دراسة تحليلية نقدية

Abstract

This research deals with intellectual tolerance in calling to Allah according to His Eminence Sheikh Ahmad bin Hamad al-Khalili, the Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman, by explaining the reality of the intellectual tolerance of the call to non-Muslims from Sheikh Ahmad's perspective. Also, by demonstrating Islamic tolerance as well as intellectual and societal unity among Muslims in the thought of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khalili. Moreover, by mentioning the tolerance of Ibadhi thought with other Islamic sects, in addition to mentioning examples that embody the extent to which Sheikh Ahmed Al-Khalili took and applied the principle of tolerance in addressing some controversial issues. The research aims to prove the tolerance of Ibadhi thought and to invalidate misconceptions that are raised about the extremism of this thought and its far-away from tolerance. The study proves that through the thought of one of Ibadhi notables who represent this thought in the current era, His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Al-Khalili. The research relied on the inductive, analytical, historical, and critical method, where the researcher collected what is related to the research from the sayings and opinions of His Eminence, supported by texts from the Qur’an and Sunnah, and historical events. Then, the study analyzes those sayings and opinions by depending on the books of Quranic exegesis and explanations of the hadiths and on a group of contemporary researchers. After that, the study criticises what needs to be criticised. The most important finding of the research is that tolerance in ancient civilizations was almost, if not completely, not existent. Also, the study noticed that the foundations of true tolerance were laid by Islam and that Islam is characterized by tolerance, whether among Muslims in their daily dealings or their dealings with other sects. Further, the study showed what the thought contains the Ibadhi are from a tolerant and reformist spirit, whose goal is to gather the scattered parts of the Muslim nation, unify its word, spread the thought of tolerant Islamic brotherhood among Muslims, and disprove the extremism attributed to it. Finally, the study clarified how His Eminence Sheikh Ahmad deals with controversial issues.