Normal0falsefalsefalseMicrosoftInternetExplorer4Islamdoes not compel people of other faiths to convert. It has given them complete freedom to retaintheir own faith and not to be forced to embrace Islam. This freedom is documented in both the Quranand the prophetic teachings known as Sunnah. God addresses the Prophet Muhammad in the Quran:
"If it had been your Lord’s will, theywould all have believed – all of who are on earth! Will you then compel humankind, against theirwill, to believe?" (Quran 10:99)
ProphetMuhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, would give people achoice between entering Islam and retaining their religion. He would ask them to accept Islam only aftermaking an agreement with them, once they had become residents in the Islamicstate and felt secure about their personal safety and property. This allowed them to appreciate the securityof the covenant with God and His Prophet. It is precisely for this reason that the non-Muslim citizens arereferred to as dhimmis.[1] When theProphet of God sent a commander of an army or a battalion off to war, theProphet would command him to be conscious of God in his conduct and to treathis Muslim companions well. Then theProphet of Mercy would instruct him:
"Set out for battle for the sake of Godand fight those who disbelieve in Him. Go into battle, but do not go to extremes, behave treacherously,mutilate their dead, or kill children. When you meet your enemies, the unbelievers, offer them three options,and accept any one of them to which they agree and cease the battle:
(a) Invite them to join Islam. Ifthey agree, then accept this and cease the battle. Then invite them to move from their lands tothe Land of the Immigrants (Medina),and inform them that if they do so, they will have the same privileges andobligations as the other migrants. Ifthey refuse to migrate from their lands, inform them that they will have thesame status as the nomadic Muslims: that they will be subject to the Law of Godwhich applies to all Muslims, and that they do not have a share in wealthobtained from conquest, unless they participate in the jihad with the Muslims.
(b) If they refuse, then ask them to pay the jizyah,[2] and if they agree, then accept it from themand cease the battle.
(c) If they refuse all this, then seek God’s help and battle with them.’"[3]
Thesedirectives of the Prophet were in obedience to what God says in the Quran:
"Let there be no compulsion in religion;truth stands clear from error: whoever rejects false gods and believes in Godhas grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things."(Quran 2:256)
EdwinCalgary, an American scholar, wrote about this verse, ‘There is a verse in theQuran that is filled with truth and wisdom, and it is known to allMuslims. Everyone else should know it aswell; it is the one that says there is no compulsion in religion.’[4]
Thisverse was revealed concerning some of the residents of Medina. When none of the children of the pagan women of Medina survived infancy, they would make avow to make the child a Jew or a Christian if he lived. When Islam came to Medina, they had adult children who wereJewish or Christian. The parents triedto compel them to embrace the new religion, so this verse was revealed toprevent them from doing so. The verse andthe history of its revelation reveals that it is not permissible to forceanyone to become a Muslim. This is thecase even if it is the parent who wants the best for their offspring, and theirchildren become members of another religion. The Quran rejects forcing anyone to join Islam.[5] God says in the Quran:
"Say, ‘The truth is from your Lord,’ lethim who will, believe and let him who will, reject, it. For the wrongdoers We have prepared a Firewhose (smoke and flames are) like the wall and roof of a tent, will hem themin: if they implore relief they will be granted water like molten brass thatwill scald their faces. How dreadful thedrink! How uncomfortable a couch torecline on!" (Quran 18:29)
Notonly does Islam give the freedom of religious freedom to non-Muslims, itstolerant law extends to the preservation of their places of worship.[6] God says in the Quran:
"(They are) those who have been evictedfrom their homes without right — only because they say, ‘Our Lord is God.’ And was it not that God checks the people,some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, andmosques in which the name of God is much mentioned (praised). And God will surely support those who supportHim (meaning His cause). Indeed, God isPowerful and Exalted in Might." (Quran 22:40)
TheMuslim caliphs used to order their military leaders who went on militarycampaigns to take steps to guarantee this matter. The first example is the command of Abu Bakrto Usamah ibn Zayd:
‘I command you to do ten things: kill nowoman, no child, nor an elderly person; do not cut down fruit trees, orvandalize homes, or wound a sheep or camel except if you must eat it; do notdrown a palm tree, or burn it, do not be treacherous; do not be cowardly; andyou will pass by people who have devoted themselves to monastery life; leavethem alone to their devotions.’[7]
Thesecond example is the treaty of Umar ibn al-Khattab with the people of Iliya ofJerusalem:
‘This is the security given by the slaveof God, Umar, the Commander of the Faithful, to the people of Iliya: they areguaranteed the security if their persons, possessions, churches, crucifixes,and everyone within, whether sick or in good health, as well as everyone intheir community. Their churches will notbe occupied or demolished, nor will anything be taken from them: neitherfurnishings nor crucifixes or money. They will not be forced away from their religion, or harmed because ofit. They will not be occupied by theJewish settlers in Iliya.’[8]
As aresult, since the era of the rightly-guided caliphs, Jews and Christians haveheld their services in freedom and security.[9]
Islam Vs Terrorism | Khalid Yasin (Part 1 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-c-MWhtxUQ
Islam Vs Terrorism | Khalid Yasin (Part 2 of 2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDZpb453Bo4
