Islam and the Freedom of Conscience — Page 54
~ 54 ~ nation or take any help from them. It was stated that each nation would meet its own expenses. In accordance with this pact no oppressor or offender or insurgent would be safe from punishment or retribution. As mentioned before, whoever committed an act of oppression, iniquity, or wrongdoing, would be seized and punished without any discrimination of being a Muslim or a Jew or another. 24 Religious Freedom and an Amnesty for the People of Najr a n It was to promote this very religious freedom and tolerance that the Holy Prophet sa permitted the visiting Christians from Najr a n to worship inside the Prophet sa ’s Mosque. They worshipped while they were facing eastward. The Companions ra were of the opinion that this should not have been allowed, but the Holy Prophet sa said: It does not matter. The Letter of Immunity that the Holy Prophet sa gave to the people of Najr a n is also reported, in which it is mentioned that he had undertaken the responsibility of protection of the boundaries of the Christians (who had come from Najr a n ) by the Muslim Army. Furthermore, it was also the obligation of the Muslims to protect their Churches, places of worship and inns, no matter how far off they were 24 S i rat Kh a tamun ‐ Nabiyy i n by Hadrat Mirza Bash i r Ahmad, p. 279