Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, usually referred to in English as Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910), was a Russian writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential authors of all time with works like the world famous “War and Peace” and Anna Karenina. In this short article, we will explore his views on Islam by quoting relevant excerpts from his writings.
According to Sa’īd Abdul Latif, attitudes among Western intellectuals towards Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) have drastically changed over the course of time.
While the West has been bombarded in recent decades with cartoonish and simplistic images of ‘evil’ Islam by media outlets and politicians, it is easy to forget that many of the great minds of the West have held a deep respect for Islam and for the Prophet (ﷺ).
Men like Thomas Carlyle, George Bernard Shaw, Goethe and others have expressed thoughtful and nuanced opinions of Islam in words that put to shame the often shallow thinking that plagues our generation.
It is to be noted the Russian Orthodox Church excommunicated Leo Tolstoy in 1901 for his unorthodox religious beliefs.
Tolstoy on Prophet Muhammad PBUH
On the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Tolstoy wrote-
“Muhammad has always been standing higher than the Christianity. He does not consider god as a human being and never makes himself equal to God. Muslims worship nothing except God and Muhammad is his Messenger. There is no any mystery and secret in it.”
Also Read-
- Prophet Muhammad PBUH Family Background: Was He Rich or Poor?
- Elite and Upper Classes in Islam: Know what Quran says about them
On the nobility of early Muslims
“It is true that the wide spread of Islam at the hands of those (Muslims) did not appeal to the Buddhists and Christians. However, the indisputably well-established fact is that the Muslims, in the early days of Islam, were recognized for their abstinence in the false world, pure conduct, uprightness and honesty so much that they amazed their surrounding neighbors with their noble manners, mercy and kindness.”
On Men of Enlightened Vision
“One of the good merits of the Islamic religion is that it enjoins good treatment to Christians and Jews in general and Christian bishops in particular. It commands to deal with them kindly and helpfully and permits its followers among men to marry Christian and Jewish women, who are allowed to remain on their religion — a teaching which implies great toleration not hidden from men of enlightened visions.”
On his admiration for Muhammad (ﷺ)
“It suffices Muhammad for pride that he was able to rescue a humiliated and bloody people from the devil of blameworthy habits and opened to them the way of development and progress. I am one of those who admire the Prophet Muhammad, whom God chose to carry His last message and be the last Prophet.”
‘This is indeed a great work’: Undoubtedly, the Prophet Muhammad is one of the greatest reformers who served the social community. It suffices him for pride that he guided an entire nation to the light of truth, made his people inclined to peace and tranquility and giving preference to an ascetic life, prevented them from bloodshed and offering victims from among mankind and opened to them the way of development and civility. This is indeed a great work which could be done only by a man gifted with power, and such a man is worthy of respect and honor.”
Also Read-
- Seal of Prophecy and Finality of Holy Quran
- Infallibility of Prophet Muhammad PBUH: Shia-Sunni Perspectives
On Russians getting inclined towards Islam
A Russian woman who married the Muslim E. Vekilov, wrote to Tolstoy that her sons wanted to convert to Islam, and asked for his advice. This is what the writer answered her:
“As far as the preference of Mohammedanism to Orthodoxy is concerned, I can fully sympathize with such conversion. To say this might be strange for me who values the Christian ideals and the teaching of Christ in their pure sense more that anything else, I do not doubt that Islam in its outer form stands higher than the Orthodox Church. Therefore, if a person is given only two choices: to adhere to the Orthodox Church or Islam, any sensible person will not hesitate about his choice, and anyone will prefer Islam with its acceptance of one tenet, single God and His Prophet instead such complex and incomprehensible things in theology as the Trinity, redemption, sacraments, the saints and their images, and complicated services” – Yasnaya Polyana, March, 15th, 1909
“I would be very glad if you were of the same faith with me. Just try to understand what my life is. Any success in life- wealth, honour, glory- I don’t have these. My friends, even my family are turning away from me. Some liberals and aesthetes- consider me to be mad or weak- minded like Gogol; others- revolutionaries and radicals- consider me to be a mystic and a man who talks too much; the officials consider me to be a malicious revolutionary; the Orthodox consider me to be a devil. I confess that it is hard for me. And therefore, please, regard me as a kind Mohammedan, and all will be fine”. – Yasnaya Polyana, April, 1884
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