Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 186
Islamic Jihad Misunderstood 181 Provident. Any sensible man can see that when their right to defend themselves is finally granted, it cannot be dubbed as an aggression on their part. The wisdom in authorising a defensive war does not apply only to the case of Muslims, it is granted to all religions whose message has ever been attempted to be suppressed by sword. It highlights this aspect and categorically declares that this fundamental right is granted to all religions. Hence, had Allah not allowed some people to take up arms in defence of their places of worship, not only the mosques but also the churches and synagogues etc. would have been demolished. In the light of the foregoing verses, one can conclude, without fear of contradiction, that Islam only defends the fundamental human right of freedom of conscience. Call it Jihad or Qit a l but it cannot be dubbed as an exclusive Muslim right. If any warning is given in this verse, it is given to the Muslims that they would not be granted most favoured treatment by God unless they show respect to the places of other people’s worship. If they do not, they would forego the right for their places of worship to be treated respectfully. They must earn this right by showing the same respect for others. These verses which have just been quoted do not only uphold the value of absolute justice but also enter the realm of I h s a n , which means to go beyond the requirements of justice and to add the grace of