Muhammad (saw) – The Perfect Man — Page 762
CHAPTER 30 Standard Bearer of Religious Tolerance and Freedom of Conscience 762 writing about tolerance in Islam writes; "The Holy Prophet Muhammad sa enjoined no compulsion in religion. He always followed the injunctions of God and treated all religions especially the monotheistic religions with tolerance. He was forbearing while dealing with the non-believers. He undertook the responsibility of the safety of the Christian institutions and instructed the commander of the Yemen expedition that no one should be made to suffer due to his religion. The caliphs of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa continued to give similar instructions to the commanders and their armies fully complied with this order. These victorious commanders followed the example set by the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa while signing treaties with the vanquished armies. According to these agreements, the defeated nations had full religious freedom. The only condition enforced was that those who do not convert to Islam would have to pay a small tax. These taxes were very low as compared with the taxes imposed on the Muslims under the Islamic rule. In return for this tax they enjoyed the same security as the Muslims. This practice of the Prophet and his caliphs attained the status of law. We can say without exaggeration that Islam not only preached freedom of religion, it made tolerance a vital part of the religious law. After entering into a treaty, the Muslims, never ever interfered