Fallibility, Infallibility or Tolerance: Reflections on Theoretical Foundations of Religious Tolerance

The theory of fallibility (takhṭiʾa) in theology and the principles of jurisprudence, if properly understood, can make a significant contribution to prevent violent extremism. Although religious tolerance is considered a modern discourse, this article argues that Muslim theologians had laid down the theoretical foundations of religious tolerance in the eighth century by advancing the theory of fallibility in Islamic theology. Through the fallibility theory, Muslim theologians have concluded that an individual should be excused or rewarded by God even though his/her dogma is false. This would yield an epistemic ground for coexistence among followers of different religions and denominations. Yet, distortions or misapplications of the fallibility theory in the past several decades have led to the emergence of violent extremism across the Muslim world. While revisiting the theory of fallibility in theology and the principles of jurisprudence and by deploying textual analysis in historical contexts, this paper argues that Muslim theologians had laid down the theoretical foundations of religious tolerance on epistemic principles. I conclude that revisiting the theory of fallibility can play a crucial role in preventing violent extremism inside and outside the Muslim world.