Minorities in an Islamic State — Page 8
8 be safeguarded. No change shall be brought about in their status nor shall they be interfered with in any way". 5 Equality between the Muslims and the non- Muslims: We have seen the provisions of the Charter of freedom defining the rights of the Dhimm i s, or non- Muslims, permanently granted to them by the Holy Prophet sa. Let us, now, examine the rights that the Muslims enjoyed in order to determine if the non- Muslims were really given a fair deal under Islam. Referring to the fighting tribes, who were erstwhile enemies of the Muslims, the Holy Prophet sa said: "I have been commanded to fight those who have violated the sacred right of religious freedom and have destroyed my right to live peacefully. But those who accept God as One, worship Him the way we do, adopt our Qiblah i as their own and do not object to eating meat as prepared by us or in other words agree to become Muslims and give up fighting against us — all their former misdeeds shall be forgiven. Since Allah and His Prophet have taken upon themselves the duty of protecting them, it is i The Ka‘bah diversion or the direction to which Muslims face when sa ying their prayres.