Through Force or Faith? — Page 92
?— A Reply to Pope Benedict XVI 92 a one-sided opinion, A sh amah summoned Muslims and inquired them about their beliefs. Ja‘far ibn Ab i Ta lib explained on behalf of Muslims: O king! We were plunged in the depth of ignorance and barbarism; we adored idols, we lived in unchastity, we ate the dead bodies, and we spoke abominations, we disre- garded every feeling of humanity, and the duties of hos- pitality and neighbourhood were neglected; we knew no law but that of the strong. In these conditions Allah raised among us a man, of whose birth, truthfulness, honesty, and purity we were aware; and he called to the Oneness of Allah and taught us not to associate anything with Him. He forbade us the worship of idols; and he enjoined us to speak the truth, to be faithful to our trusts, to be merciful and to regard the rights of the neighbours and kith and kin; he forbade us to speak evil of women, or to eat the substance of orphans; he ordered us to fly from the vices, and to abstain from evil; to offer Prayers, to render alms, and to observe fast. We have believed in him, we have accepted his teach- ings and his injunctions to worship Allah and not to asso- ciate anything with Him, and we have allowed what He has allowed, and prohibited what He has prohibited. For this reason, our people have risen against us, have perse- cuted us in order to make us forsake the worship of Allah and return to the worship of idols and other abomina- tions. They have tortured and injured us, until finding no