Islam - Peaceful Religion — Page 8
humiliation and addressing them suggested: “The prin- ciple for whose acceptance I fought against you, will not be abandoned because of your opposition to it. Undoubtedly, because of your cruel mentality, you adopted a wrong course of action, but rights shall be preserved. Go, no blame attaches on you. Each one of you is free in matters of faith. You are our Zimmi (a non-Muslim living in a Muslim country). God and His Messenger shall be fully responsible for your safety. ’ [ Nisb al Raiah fi Takhrij Ahadith Al Hadaya Vol. 4, p. 381 published Egypt] Then Allah says: O ye who believe! be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just, that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is aware of what you do. (Sura Al-Mai’dah – Ch. 5:V. 9) Let us now examine the practical application of this Qur’anic teaching. After this who can say that Islam is not a religion of peace, harmony, reconciliation and justice. ‘It is narrated that Muhayyasa, Allah be pleased with him, a Companion of the Holy Prophet (sa) was killed as a martyr in Khyber. His beneficiaries asked the Holy Prophet (sa) for the capital punishment. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked: Can you swear and determine his killer? They said: O Prophet of God, we were not there so how can we swear? He replied: There can be no capital punishment without proof. There is only one possibility that the Jews of Khyber whom you suspect should according to the law swear fifty times that they know not who is the killer. The beneficiaries of Muhayyasa, Allah be pleased P AGE 8 Islam Ð A Religion of Peace ‘From these verses it should have become clear that according to the teachings of Islam there can be no compulsion in matters of faith. God Almighty has left the choice of which belief to accept to be determined by the conscience of each person’.