Relationship between Religion and Politics in Islam — Page 20
The Relationship Between Religion & Politics 20 a universal statement which can never be changed. It is an example of how laws can become permanent and univer- sal. It says there is no coercion in faith or in matters of faith. No coercion is possible and no coercion is permitted. So, here is the question: If one religion imposes its law on a society where people of other religions and denom- inations also live, how will this verse stand against your attempt to coerce? Not only vis-à-vis the people from other religions, but vis-à-vis people from the same religion who are not willing. So, this is the fundamental question. Therefore the conclusion is that coercion is not an instrument in reli- gion, and certainly not a valid instrument in religion. The only authority in Islam, which was genuinely capable of being given the right to coerce, was the founder of Islam, Prophet Muhammad sa. Why? Because he was a living model of Islam and because when enquired about his character, his holy wife, Hazrat Ayeshah, said he was the living Quran. So, the only person who could be genuinely entrusted with the faith of others, and be permitted to use coercion also where he felt that rectification was to be made by force, was the Holy Prophet sa. Yet, addressing him, Allah says in the Holy Quran: 1 ۤاَمَّنِا َتْنَا ٌرِّكَذُم۰۰َتْسَل ْمِهْيَلَع ٍرِطْيَۜصُمِب۰۰ 1. For thou art but an admonisher; You are not a warden over them ( Surah al-Ghaashiyah, 88:22–23). [Publisher]