Through Force or Faith? — Page 68
?— A Reply to Pope Benedict XVI 68 not look for excuses to fight. Everyone has the right to lead his or her life according to the religion they have chosen. War is on only as long as they are fighting with you. It is not to enforce a change of their religion. Then, at one place, Allah, the Exalted, says: َنْيِلَّوَاْلاْلُق َنْيِذَّلِّل اْۤوُرَفَك ْنِا اْوُهَتْنَّي ْرَفْغُي ْمُهَل اَّم ْدَق َفَلَس١ۚ َو ْنِا اْوُدْوُعَّي ْدَقَف ْتَضَم ُتَّنُس Say to those who disbelieve, if they desist, that which is past will be forgiven them; and if they return thereto, then verily the example of the former peoples has already gone before them. ( S u rah al-Anf a l, 8:39) Then, it is said: ٌرْيِصَبَو ْمُهْوُلِتاَق ىّٰتَح اَل َنْوُكَت ٌةَنْتِف َّو َنْوُكَي ُنْيِّدلا ٗهُّلُك ِهّٰلِل١ۚ ِنِاَف اْوَهَتْنا َّنِاَف َهّٰللا اَمِب َنْوُلَمْعَي And fight them until there is no persecution and religion is wholly for Allah. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Watchful of what they do. ( S u rah al-Anf a l, 8:40) Then, it is said: َو ْنِا اْوَّلَوَت اْۤوُمَلْعاَف َّنَا َهّٰللا ْمُكىٰلْوَم١ؕ َمْعِن ىٰلْوَمْلا َو َمْعِن ُرْيِصَّنلا And if they turn their backs, then know that Allah is your Protector. What an excellent Protector and what an excel- lent Helper! ( S u rah al-Anf a l, 8:41) Thus, Allah, the Exalted, had this proclamation made through the