Tolstoy's cross-cultural kinships with Gandhi and Imam Abduh

This principle of mutual acceptance of the truth of others, according to Gandhi, is based on the understanding that we all have different perspectives and can only grasp the truth in a partial manner and from different angles.

This philosophy of tolerance influenced numerous activists and writers, including Martin Luther King, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and Vaclav Havel, who deeply admired Gandhi.

Gandhi's teachings resonated with many intellectuals, as well, such as Sorel, Fanon, Žižek, and Thomas Mann. Various movements around the world adopted his slogan of non-violence in opposition to brutal events or parties.

Tolstoy and Imam Muhammad Abduh

Tolstoy's radiance reached far and wide, illuminating the paths of many intellectuals, much like Gandhi.

In his book The Rule of the Prophet Muhammad, the Russian author acknowledged and defended the Islamic religion against the misrepresentations and falsehoods spread by some missionaries.

In it, Tolstoy wrote: "One of the good merits of the Islamic religion is that it enjoins good treatment to Christians and Jews [...] and commands to deal with them kindly and helpfully and permits its followers to marry Christians."

He added: "I am one of those who admire the Prophet Muhammad, whom God chose as His final messenger and the Seal of the Prophets. It suffices Muhammad for pride that he was able to save a humiliated people from the devil of harmful habits and guide them toward progress and development."

(German and Argentine poets Goethe and Borges shared Tolstoy's admiration for Prophet Muhammad.)

Tolstoy's influence reached many Arab writers, most notably Mikhail Naimy.

In addition, the Russian literary giant had established a close intellectual relationship with some prominent Arab Renaissance figures, most notably Imam Muhammad Abduh, who wrote to him after reading his novels, including his book about the Prophet Muhammad.

Tolstoy, despite being of Christian faith, admired Islam; he saw it as a noble religion that calls for peace, life, and the advancement of mankind.

As such, Tolstoy and the Imam agreed that religion and humanity make life. More specifically, they agreed that humanity is the most valuable and cherished aspect of life, while religion uplifts and elevates the soul and mind of humanity in order to sustain said life.

Their letters, preserved

Dr Malik Mansour, the grandson of the Imam, says that two letters exchanged between his grandfather and Tolstoy are still preserved in the Tolstoy Museum in Moscow. These letters are a testament to religious tolerance and to the greatness of the two men, who advocated for goodness, love, and the rejection of fanaticism.

Mansour says his grandfather, who served as the Mufti of Egypt at the time, sent his handwritten letter by post, and Tolstoy responded with a likewise gentle, caring, and noble letter, full of beautiful human values and ideals.

I leave you with these two letters, which speak volumes of what their bond represented – and how relevant their message is, even today.

Imam Muhammad Abduh's letter:

To the wise Philosopher, Monsieur Tolstoy,

While I have not had the privilege of your personal acquaintance, I was fortunate enough to be acquainted with your spirit. Your thoughts and opinions have enlightened us and brought us together with the souls of other intelligent minds.

God has guided you to understand the nature of humanity and led you toward the ultimate goal for which humanity was created. You have realised that mankind exists to grow in knowledge, work diligently, and bear the fruits of labour that bring relief to the soul and advance humanity.

You have perceived the suffering that befalls man when he deviates from the law of nature and misuses the powers bestowed upon him to obtain happiness for the purpose of causing pain and disrupting peace. Your views on religion have dismantled distorted traditions and arrived at the truth of Divine Unity. You have raised your voice to advocate for what God has shown you and have dedicated yourself to inspire deeds with your unwavering determination just as you enlightened minds with your words.

Just as your opinions served as a beacon for the lost, so has your example in work set a model for others to follow. Just as your existence has been a reprimand from God to the rich, so it has been a helping hand held out by Him to the poor.

That which you have suffered, which they called excommunication and interdiction, is the highest honour and reward you can receive for your true guidance. By this exclusion, those religious leaders have acknowledged to the world that you are not among those who have gone astray.

We are grateful for your steadfast beliefs and actions, and we look forward to the impact of your wisdom in the future. We pray for your continued health and strength, and for others to open their hearts to your message of peace and guidance.

Should the philosopher do me the honour of writing back, let him write in French, as it is the only European language I know.

Grand Mufti of Egypt

Mohamed Abduh

Tolstoy's response

To Mufti Muhammad Abduh,

Dear friend,

I have received your generously laudatory letter, and it has brought me great pleasure to connect with someone as enlightened as yourself. Despite our different faiths, I believe that our religion is the same.

Faiths are different and multiple, but there is only one religion, the true religion. I hope I am not wrong to assume from your letter that this religion that I believe in is the same as yours, the one that recognises God and His law to love others as we would like to be loved. I believe that this common principle unites people of all faiths, be they Jews, Brahmans, Buddhists, Christians, or Mohammedans.

I believe that the greater the presence of beliefs, commands, prohibitions, miracles, and superstitions in religions, the greater their contribution to creating division and sowing seeds of enmity and hatred among people. Conversely, striving for simplicity and eliminating impurities brings humanity closer to the ideal goal of uniting all people.

For this reason, I was extremely happy with your letter, and I wanted to strengthen the bonds of kinship and communication between us.

Please accept, dear Mufti Muhammad Abduh, my greatest appreciation.