Question: The Holy Quran states that one should not criticize other religions. Yet, the Quran itself criticizes other religions and their concepts of God in several places. Why this contradiction?– H.M. Hilmi, Akurana, Sri Lanka.
Answer: Nowhere in the Holy Quran is it stated that one should not criticize other religions. The Quran merely states that one should not revile or abuse those whom followers of other religions regard as gods.
"Do not revile those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they revile Allah in transgression without knowledge."
There is a vast difference between reviling and criticizing.
"Reviling" refers to mocking the personal conduct of those revered as gods by non-Muslims or using derogatory language regarding them.
Islam permits arguing—based on principles, doctrines, and laws—that a particular view is correct while stating that other ideologies are incorrect.
Such rational arguments and criticisms appear in many places in the Quran. However, not once are those revered as gods by people of other faiths reviled or abused.
Islam rejects the Christian claim that Prophet Jesus (Isa) is the Son of God and clearly explains the reasons for this rejection. Yet, not even in a single instance does the Quran use a derogatory word regarding Prophet Jesus.
"O People of the Scripture! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not say anything about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, is the Messenger of Allah and His command which He conveyed to Mary, and a spirit from Him." So believe in Allah and His messengers! Do not say "Three" (regarding God)! Desist! That is better for you. Allah is the One worthy of worship. He is far exalted above having a child. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on the earth. Allah is sufficient as a Guardian.(Holy Quran 4:171)
Those who said, "The Messiah, son of Mary, is Allah," have disbelieved (in the One True God). The Messiah said, "O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, who is my Lord and your Lord! Allah has forbidden Paradise to those who associate partners with Him. Their destination is Hell. There are no helpers for the wrongdoers."(Holy Quran 5:72)
The Messiah, son of Mary, is nothing but a messenger; many messengers had passed away before him. His mother was a truthful woman. Both of them used to eat food. Reflect on how We have made the signs clear to them! Then reflect on how they are turned away!(Holy Quran 5:75)
The people of Mecca believed that female figures like Lat and Uzza were the daughters of God. The Quran raised the question: "Do you have sons while Allah has daughters?" It also stated that God has absolutely no wife or children. One could have offered scathing criticism based on the myths they believed regarding Lat and Uzza; however, no such criticism exists in the Quran.
Muslims should not disparage figures such as Rama, Krishna, Murugan, Vinayagar, Shiva, and Vishnu, whom Hindus revere as deities. The Holy Quran forbids it.
At the same time, one can argue that there can only be one God and not multiple gods. One can propagate this doctrine by listing the detrimental consequences of believing in a polytheistic ideology. Such advocacy can be carried out without even mentioning the names of the figures whom others revere as gods.
Islam permits such propagation based on rational arguments. This type of advocacy causes no harm to social harmony. Therefore, the injunction to avoid vilification and the permission to offer rational criticism are not contradictory.