Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 295
295 discourse” (18:7); “Haply thou wilt grieve thyself to death that they are not believers” (26:4); “Let not thy soul waste away in sighing after them. Surely Allah knows what they do” (35:9). But it is explained that complete freedom in the matter of conscience and belief is essential for the fulfilment of the Divine purpose. It would be easy for God to compel belief inasmuch as He has power even over the consciences of people, but they must be left to decide for themselves. “If thy Lord had enforced His will, surely all who are on the earth would have believed together. Wilt thou, then, force people to become believers?” (10:100). Clear directions have been given with regard to the manner in which the message of Islam is to be conveyed to mankind. “Say, ‘This is my way: I call unto Allah on the basis of understanding, I and those who follow me’” (12:109). It was the duty of the Prophet and of each one of his companions, as indeed it is the duty of every Muslim all the time, to invite people to the acceptance of the Truth, both by precept and by example, but the precept and the example must be such as to preclude the remotest suspicion of any pressure or coercion. “Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and kindly exhortation, and reason with them in the way that is best. Surely thy Lord knows best who has strayed from His way; and He knows best those who are rightly guided” (16:126).