Through Force or Faith? — Page 11
Refutation of the Allegations Made Against Islam 11 That is, O Muslims, you ought to fight the infidels who engage in war till such time when no unrest is left in the country and every- one can adopt the faith that he likes for the sake of his God (not because of any fear or coercion). And if these infidels desist from their aggression, then you should stop fighting because you do not have the right to fight anyone except the transgressor. Here, Allah, the Exalted, says that you ought to fight those infidels who fight with you till such a time when no unrest is left in the land. Its example is found in one instance: Ibn Umar ra says, ‘We implemented the Divine command in this way that in the days of the Holy Prophet s as , when Muslims were just few in num- ber and anyone who adopted Islam was tortured in the path of Islam by the infidels, some would be killed, while others impris- oned; therefore, we fought until Muslims increased in numbers and strength, so that no threat was left for new Muslim converts. After this, when the threat from the infidel ceased to exist, this matter came to its conclusion’. Then Allah, the Exalted, says: اْوُلِدْعَت١ؕ اْوُلِدْعِا١۫ َوُه ُبَرْقَا ىٰوْقَّتلِل ١ٞ َو اوُقَّتا َهّٰللا١ؕ َّنِا َهّٰللا ٌۢرْيِبَخ اَمِب َنْوُلَمْعَتاَهُّيَاٰۤي َنْيِذَّلا اْوُنَمٰا اْوُنْوُك َنْيِمّٰوَق ِهّٰلِل َءٓاَدَهُش ِطْسِقْلاِب١ٞ َو اَل ْمُكَّنَمِرْجَي ُنٰاَنَش ٍمْوَق ىٰۤلَع اَّلَا O ye who believe! be steadfast in the cause of All a h, bear- ing 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. ( S u rah al-M a ’idah, 5:9) Thus, it was this justice that created a revolution in the time of the Holy Prophet s as and this revolution took place even afterwards. If