Islam - Peaceful Religion — Page 9
with him, said: Who can trust these Jews, they will take false oaths. The Holy Prophet (sa) replied: Then beyond this no cross-examination is permitted because in the sight of the law, there can be no preference. After this the Holy Prophet (sa) paid blood money to the beneficiaries of Muhayyasa. ’ ( Tajrid Al-Bukhari , Chapter Faslil Jihad , Part 2 published by Ferozsons Lahore) 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. In fact, the example I gave earlier of the slave, even in his case he was not forced to accept Islam. The Holy Qur’an mentions this freedom of conscience in various verses and it is not possible to mention all of them here. In brief, after this clear and unambiguous teaching, the question arises that if the Holy Prophet (sa) or his Companions did not hold the sword in one hand and the Qur’an in the other nor destroyed the peace of the world, what are these holy wars and what is this thing called Jihad which is on everyone’s lips and for which every Muslim is being blamed for causing mayhem in the world? The amazing thing is that it is believed that these wars started during the time of the Holy Prophet (sa). We would have to fulfil the requirements of absolute justice and examine the situation of that age because without bringing that age to the fore, it would be impossible to do justice. In this connection, I set out briefly the words of the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community who says: Our Prophet (sa) endured pain in Makkah and even after this at the hands of the disbelievers and in particular just to picture in our minds how the thirteen years in Makkah were spent under such persecution and cruelty of all kinds that it makes us weep. But he did not raise a sword nor replied to their harsh words with harshness – till many Companions and his dear friends had been murdered most cruelly; and, were made to suffer all kinds of ordeals; and, sometimes were poisoned; and, many a plots were hatched of assassinating him in which the opponents remained unsuccessful. When P AGE 9 Islam Ð A Religion of Peace ‘The question arises that if the Holy Prophet (sa) or his Companions did not hold the sword in one hand and the Qur’an in the other nor destroyed the peace of the world, what are these holy wars and what is this thing called Jihad which is on everyone’s lips and for which every Muslim is being blamed for causing mayhem in the world?’