Through Force or Faith? — Page 199
Chapter 4 Interaction with non-Believers by Dr. ‘Abdur-Ra h m a n Bhutta In his lecture, the honourable Pope, while referring to a dia- logue by Manuel, has commented that Quran teaches differential treatment of People of the Book and idolaters; that is, there are teachings to treat the People of the Book with one standard and the idolaters with a different one. Although it was expected that Professor Ratzinger will provide a Quranic reference in support of his assertion, but he did not. In this article we shall examine what kind of treatment does the Holy Quran enjoin with regard to the People of the Book and idolaters; and how did the Holy Prophet s as , on whom Quran was revealed, implemented it in his practice; and if there is a differential treatment of idolaters and the People of the Book, what is the reason for it. Quranic Teachings of Kind Treatment of the People of the Book and Idolaters Fundamentally, the Quran enjoins kind treatment of every one irrespective of his belief and does not discriminate against anyone