Through Force or Faith? — Page 71
Sanctions for Self-Defence in Islam 71 and, according to the critics, these are threatening words; these letters are being written at the same time to all the great powers of the world, to the kings, that if you do not submit, get ready for war. If one accepts their assertion, it is even beyond a person of average sense to commit such an act, that is, that he should simultaneously confront the entire world, particularly when the strength of Islam at the time was only limited. They should use some common sense, they should ponder a little. The Holy Prophet s as was the prophet of God. He had com- plete faith in the being of God. He did give this message but only because he desired well for mankind and he was convinced that there was peace and security only in this religion. This religion alone could ensure peace and security, therefore, the world needed to accept it. And, with this motivation, he sent this message to dif- ferent kings. No one could have had greater conviction than the Holy Prophet s as , who was sent by God with His last law-bearing message to the world, that it was this message that vouchsafed the peace of the world. Thus, in this vein, in these very words, he also invited the kings. And, due to the same compassion, before the beginning of a battle, he would send this message to every tyrant who was determined to extirpate Islam, that Islam is the message of peace and security and goodwill; now that you are pushing the war upon us, even then we still, avoiding the confrontation, give you the message of peace that if you wish to remain attached to your religion, you are free to do so. You may worship according to your tradition but renounce instigation against Islam and per- secution of Muslims. Now that you have forced war upon us and you are not willing to accept this alternative, there is only one res- olution left and that is if you lose the war, you will have to come