Understanding Islam — Page 196
WHAT IS SHARIAH? 194 And say, ‘It is the truth from your Lord; wherefore let him who will, believe, and let him who will, disbelieve. ’ 14 Say, ‘O ye men, now has the truth come to you from your Lord. So whosoever follows the guidance, follows it only for the good of his own soul, and whosoever errs, errs only against it. And I am not a keeper over you. ’ 15 There should be no compulsion in religion. Surely, right has become distinct from wrong; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress, and believes in Allah, has surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. And Allah is All- Hearing, All-Knowing. 16 The above injunctions are not mere words. They were carried into actual practice by Prophet Muhammad sa and his companions, even if following such divine ordinances meant a serious financial loss to them. Let us illustrate this point with three examples.