Claims and Teachings - Ahmad The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 15
15 to the circumstances of every case and act in a manner which is likely to produce the greatest good by enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong, the Holy Quran has given us general laws for our guidance and thus introduced scientific principles in religious injunctions. Before proceeding to take any step, we are "required to consider what will actually be the right way? Whether it is right to forgive or punish or to give in charity or not to give, is a question of circumstances in each case. According to the Quranic teachings therefore, our primary consi- deration in every case should be the propriety of the occasion. . We have so far discussed every side of the question relating to the need of the Quran. One point only remains to be consi- dered. Did Islam wage war with the Jews and the Christians to compel them to. accept its doctrines? This asserted compulsion has no basis at all. Islam never took the initiative in the battles which it had. to fight. It was compelled to take up the sword \ ; against those who had either aggressed on it or assisted the aggre r I ssors. The jealousy of God was, therefore, moved to punish the offenders. But His rnercy still saved from the deserved punish- ment such as accepted Islam or paid thej^z/a. This favour was also in accordance with the Divine laws, for whenever there is \ ' visitation of God such as a famine or a plague, the hearts of men are naturally turned to humbleness, repentance, prayers and charitable deeds to avert the Divine punishment. This shows clearly that God Himself inspires into the hearts of men a remedy for averting the evil. The ardent prayers of Moses , averted many a time the punishment of the Israelites. In short the Isla- mic fights were a punishment from God to the aggressors, in which the way was still open for repentance and obtaining mercy of God. It cannot be denied that the early Muslim wars were not undertaken to compel the Jews and Christians to accept the V