Through Force or Faith? — Page 59
Sanctions for Self-Defence in Islam 59 to the grind of oppression—oppression and tyranny would have prevailed all over. Thus, a procedural injunction was given that when any nation remains subject to the tyranny of another nation for a prolonged period, authority is sanctioned that when it establishes its sover- eignty it can engage in war if it has the jurisdiction; but its intent is to end tyranny and not to give license to go beyond limits in avenging the atrocities. Even this sanction has been restricted. This prudent injunction ensured the security of other religions as well because, if this permission was not sanctioned, the houses of worship of every religion would be razed by the tyrants, resulting in further increase in hatred and disappearance of peace from the world. Allah, the Exalted, says that it has always been permissible to stop the tyrant. Thus, if they accuse the state of Islam, it is an extremely unfair allegation. When tyranny exceeds bounds, force is needed to stop it. Islam does not practice coercion in matters of religion. It affirms that there is no compulsion in this matter. It did not force anyone into its own religion, nor is it possible, nor is there any injunction for it. Religion is a matter of conscience for everyone. Therefore, everyone has the right to live his life according to his choice. In this injunction, Muslims are reminded of this important matter too that where you have sovereignty, you must abstain from unjustly razing the synagogues, churches, and houses of wor- ship of other religions, otherwise, this cruelty will be reciprocated and your mosques will also be razed and thus a chain of disorder will ensue. Unfortunately, these days, some opportunist mullahs, in some