Islam and the Freedom of Conscience — Page 8
~ 8 ~ that we consider all those Prophets true who appeared in the world—whether in India, or Persia or China or any other country. God instilled their respect and grandeur in the hearts of millions and made firm the roots of their religion, which remained established for centuries. This is the principle that the Quran teaches us. In light of this principle, we honour all religious founders who fall under this description whether they are the founders of the religion of the Hindus, or the religion of Persians, or the religion of the Chinese, or the religion of the Jews or the religion of the Christians. Unfortunately, our adversaries cannot treat us this way, and they do not bear in mind the pristine and unalterable law of God that He does not give that blessing and honour to a false prophet that He bestows upon the true one. The religion of a false prophet does not take root and does not last long, as does the religion of a truthful Prophet. Therefore, people sub- scribing to this kind of belief—who defame the Prophets of other nations by declaring them false—are always enemies of peace and harmony, because there is no greater mischief than abusing the elders of other nations. Sometimes a person would rather die than hear dis- paraging words for his elders. If we have an objection over the teaching of a religion, we should not attack the honour of the Prophet of that religion or mention him in an unseemly manner. Rather, we should object only on