Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 187
— Part II 182 benevolence in treatment to others. This means that even when worship is carried out in a manner as to cause offence, a true Muslim should not only treat the worshipper with respect, but should also be ready to defend their places of worship when attacked. This aspect is highlighted by the following writing of the Holy Prophet sa of Islam which is still preserved in St. Catherine’s Monastry in Mount Sinai: It is obligatory upon Muslims to defend Christian churches, monastries and shrines from enemy attacks. Whosoever fails to do so is disobedient to, and transgresses against, the commands of God. And he will give his religion (i. e. Islam) a bad name. 14 The Holy Prophet sa requires Muslims to go a step further than I h s a n , and treat other religions with such grace as though they were your own kith and kin. The Prophet Muhammad’s sa love for mankind surpassed the love of a mother for her child. He not only engaged in a great Jihad to uphold the basic human rights of mankind, he went further and showed them more love and mercy than they had earned. Under no circumstances is a Muslim permitted to transgress against others. It is preferable that a guilty man be shown clemency than an innocent man be punished. Amazingly, the Founder of Islam sa even rejected help from a renowned warrior when it was direly needed by Muslims during the Battle of Badr—a time