Minorities in an Islamic State — Page 76
76 How then, could it be possible for the Holy Prophet sa to usurp the very right to uphold which he underwent untold miseries and sufferings at the hands of his enemies. Especially since in the very early days of Islam when only a handful and weak persons had joined him Allah said to him: ٌؕ فَّذَّكِر ْ ؕ۫۫ ا ِّن ََّّاٰۤ اَّنْت َّ مذَّكِر ْ ِبِ صَّيْطِر لَّسْتَّ عَّلَّيْهِم "Admonish, therefore, for thou art but an admonisher; Thou hast no authority to compel them". (88:22, 23) The Prophet sa was told that a day would come when he would be given power and authority over all his enemies and he was enjoined in advance that when he should have power he should not use it for usurping his enemy ’ s right to freedom of speech and should not try to impose his own opinions on them. God says: َّ ِ ۙ۫۫ قَّد ْ تَّبَّی ََّّ الرشْد مِن َّ ِفِ الدِیْن َلَّٰۤ اِكْرَّاه ِ َّ ْۚ الْغ ِفَّمَّن ْ یَّكْفر ْ بِالطَّاغوْت ِ و َّ یؤْم ن م ََّل ۗ ْٰقم ِ فَّقَّد ِ اسْتَّمْسَّك َّ بِالْعرْوَّة ِ الْوث ّلل م ٌ بِا َسَِّيْعٌ عَّلِيْم ّلل م انْفِصَّام َّ ْلََّّا ؕ وَّ ا "There should be no compulsion in religion. Surely, right has become distinct from wrong; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress, and believes in Allah, has surely