Through Force or Faith? — Page 136
?— A Reply to Pope Benedict XVI 136 ‘I was precluded from joining the battle of Badr because I and Abū Sahl left our homes at the occasion of Badr. On the way we were apprehended by Quraish, they asked, ‘Do you intend to join Muhammad s as ?’ We said, ‘No, we are only going to Madinah’. They made us make the pledge that we would not join Muhammad s as in the battle but instead would go straight to Madinah. We appeared before the Holy Prophet Muhammad s as and gave him the full account of the incident. He said, ‘Go on and keep your prom- ise. We shall seek help against the enemy with prayer’. ( Muslim, Kit a bul Jihad Chapter: Fulfilment of Pledge) Similarly, it is also enjoined that even if an idolater seeks pro- tection, grant him protection immediately and do not look for excuses; and do recite the Word of God to him but coercion is not permitted. On the contrary, it is said that safe passage be provided him to the place of his choice. It is said: ْمُهَّنَاِب ٌمْوَق اَّل َنْوُمَلْعَيَو ْنِا ٌدَحَا َنِّم َنْيِكِرْشُمْلا َكَراَجَتْسا ُهْرِجَاَف ىّٰتَح َعَمْسَي َمٰلَك ِهّٰللا َّمُث ُهْغِلْبَا ٗهَنَمْاَم١ؕ َكِلٰذ And if anyone of the idolaters ask protection of thee, grant him protection so that he may hear the word of Allah; then convey him to his place of security. That is because they are a people who have no knowledge. ( S u rah at-Taubah, 9:6) 4. Justice is not to be abandoned under any condition It is the usual practice that when a people gain supremacy over another, they abandon all moral norms and allow every kind of