Through Force or Faith? — Page 12
?— A Reply to Pope Benedict XVI 12 one looks at the lives of the companions [of the Holy Prophet s as ] and analyses them, one realizes that the transformation that took place in them does not come about by changing faith under duress. Instead it happens when hearts are changed. It happens when the enemies are treated so graciously that even opponents become admirers. Thus, at the time of the conquest of Makkah, Ikrimah, who was one of the fiercest opponents of Islam, ran away; but when his wife requested the Holy Prophet s as for amnesty in order to bring him back, he was pardoned. Then, an amazing transforma- tion occurred in him which could not have been achieved with any sword. He made such progress in his faith as could not have happened without love in his heart. His heart was filled with sin- cerity to such a degree as was not possible in the absence of love. The standard of sacrifice was raised in such a way that it was not possible without the transformation of his heart. The jealousy he displayed for the sake of Islam could only have originated by hav- ing a true appreciation for its message. The history is replete with remarkable examples of love and of jealousy for Islam set by the Companions. The same Ikrimah who I mentioned earlier, it is related about him that initially he fought in every battle against the Holy Prophet s as and spent all his energies to erase Islam. Ultimately, when Makkah was conquered, as I have said, he fled from Makkah, for he considered subordination to the Holy Prophet s as a disgrace. But once he became a Muslim, his sincerity was such that during the caliphate of Abu Bakr ra , he showed unparalleled chivalry in vanquishing the rebels. It is said that when fierce fighting broke out in one battle, and people were being felled like the grass is cut