Minorities in an Islamic State — Page 71
71 believers'. (10:100). Thus when God Himself has left the matter of religion to the man, who else has the right to compel anyone? In short, neither does Islam encourage its adherents to compel the disbelievers to join Islam nor does it tolerate others to compel the Muslims to turn faithless. The call to faith, according to Islam, should be based on sincerity and human sympathy. Therefore it is, that in the face of opposition, the Prophets of Allah have always said: ٌْ َّّب ِْ وَّ اَّنَّا لَّكمْ نَّاصِح ٌ اَّمِی تِ ر م ل م ابَّلِغكم ْ رِس "I deliver to you the messages of my Lord and I am to you a sincere and faithful counsellor". (7:69) Elsewhere the Holy Quran pointing out the two pri- mary duties of God ’ s messengers says: َّ رس ّلل م ِ حجَّة ٌٌۢ بَّعْد َّٰلَّ ا ل مبَّشِرِیْن َّ و َّ منْذِرِیْن َّ لِئَّل َّ یَّكوْن َّ لِلنَّاس ِ ع ّلل م عَّزِیْزا حَّكِيْما الرسل ِ ؕ و َّ كَّانَّ ا "Messengers, bearers of glad tidings and warners, so that people may have no plea against Allah after the coming of the Messengers. And Allah is Mighty, Wise". (4:166) The meanings of this verse are quite clear. If the disbelievers are not even permitted to put forth their own arguments in support of their faith then what is