Special message on Independence Day - How to treat our fellow countrymen

Relations with non-Muslims – A special message on the occasion of Republic Day

 

 

Allah Ta'ala says:

 

Allah does not forbid you to be good to them and treat them with equity and justice who did not fight against you on (the question of) Din (Religion), nor did they drive you out of your homes (i.e. homeland). Surely Allah likes those who conduct themselves with equity and justice (Surah Mumtahina-08).

 

In the verse of the Holy Quran just presented, Allah Ta’ala declares explicitly that Islam is a religion of peace.  It is not the enemy of any nation or religion.  In fact, it is so peace loving that it orders that non-Muslims should be treated nicely with justice.

 

Nowadays, Islam is being attacked from different quarters.  Some say that Muslims are terrorists and some say that Islam teaches terrorism.  If we study the Holy Quran and the Hadith, it becomes clear that Islam is the religion of peace.

 

The date of August 15 is the most important date in the history of our country as on this date, our country gained independence and.  On this occasion, we are describing how our relations with non-Muslim compatriots should be, so that our young generation who is in colleges/universities become aware of it and can reply rationally to the misunderstandings about Islam.

 

Muslims are mercy personified:

 

The Islamic Shariah has permitted Muslims to settle in any part of the world because Muslims are mercy and peace personified.  Muslims are not terrorists or a threat to peace but are upholders of peace and provide comfort to the entire humanity.

 

From Arabia to Asia, Europe to Africa, Africa to Asia wherever Muslims went, they carried the message of peace and safety, of justice and equity and of kindness and benevolence.  They changed the atmosphere of the society which was filled with fear and terror to one of peace and security.  Their impeccable morality, the fairness of their dealings, their equity and integrity, their love and brotherhood, their clemency and warmness cleared the clouds of oppression and enmity and the flowers of justice and fairness blossomed forth.

 

On the occasion of Republic Day, we want to clearly state that Islam permits social relations, trade dealings like buying, selling, mortgage, bail bonds and other affairs with Non-Muslim compatriots and has stressed truthfulness and fairness in all dealings and prohibits from lying, deception, cheating etc.  It decrees humility in place of pride and vanity.  It prefers mildness and gentleness to harshness and severity.  It gives instructions to exercise patience and forbearance instead of anger, fury.  It encourages forgiveness and answering evil with good.  Even when going for revenge, it instructs not to overstep the limits of aggression.  It teaches refraining from mischief and devilry and abiding by justice and equity.  In these matters, Islam does not distinguish between Muslims and Non-Muslims.

 

Social relations with non-Muslims:

 

Irrespective of whom the relationship is with, a Muslim must always remember that he/she is a Muslim.  Islam has stressed upon social and moral relations with non- Muslims to a greater extent than with Muslims.

 

Allah Ta’ala says:

 

Allah does not forbid you to be good to them and treat them with equity and justice who did not fight against you on (the question of) Din (Religion), nor did they drive you out of your homes (i.e. homeland). Surely Allah likes those who conduct themselves with equity and justice (Surah Mumtahina-08).

 

This verse shows that in any case, we should treat Non-Muslims with fairness and justice. 

 

The fact is that regardless of whether it is an Islamic country or a non-Islamic one, Muslims only spread the message of love and they give the message of peace with their speech and their actions.  The very existence of Muslims is for the benefit of others and to provide relief to them as Allah Ta'ala says:

 

Ye are the best of peoples, raised for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.  (Surah Al Imran-110)

 

The way a Muslim is an epitome of peace for Muslims, in the same way, a Muslim is an epitome of peace for non-Muslims as well.  Leave out weapons, a Muslim does not hurt anyone even with his/her words.  As Allah Ta’ala says:

 

And speak kindly to mankind (Surah Baqarah-83).

 

There is no discrimination of any color, race, religion, belief to behave nicely with someone.  This command is for all.

 

We should even talk with non-Muslims pleasantly.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Treat everyone nicely.  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 115).

 

The peace-loving nature of Islam:

 

The Quraish did not prevent anyone from pilgrimage i.e. from Haj and Umrah even for their avowed enemies.  But when the Muslims came with the intention of Umrah, they were stopped.  Permission was not given.  Muslims' sentiments were hurt and they were most distressed.  Almost naturally, the Muslims could have retaliated.  But Allah Ta'ala commanded them to treat even such people with kindness.

 

And let not your hatred of a folk who (once) stopped your going to the inviolable place of worship seduce you to transgress (Surah Al Maida-2)

 

Just consider, how can that religion teach terrorism, which orders its followers to treat even its avowed enemies nicely.

 

There is no difference between Muslim and Non-Muslim or friend and foe in matters of justice.  Islam declares justice and fairness as compulsory even when dealing with enemies, so that a pleasant society can be created on this basis.

 

And let not your hatred of a folk who (once) stopped your going to the inviolable place of worship seduce you to transgress (Surah Al Maida-2)

 

It has been a special characteristic of Muslims to spend on Non-Muslims and to sympathize with them in periods of crises and difficulties.  An example of the model, which the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) set for Muslims can be found in this Hadith:

 

Translation of Hadith:  A year when the people of Makkah al Mukarramah were in the clutches of a famine, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam sent 500 Dirhams each to Abu Sufyan and Safwan bin Umayya to distribute them among the poor and destitute of Makkah. (Radd ul Muhtaar Vol. 2, Pg No.92)

 

What more can be a greater example of brotherhood and humanity that the Prophet of Mercy (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) extended help even to those people who oppressed and hurt Muslims to no end, to the point that the companions of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had to leave their homes and hearth in Makkah and settled down in Madina.

 

Honesty of Muslims runs the world- A confession by the Jews

 

Even those who are not Muslims acknowledge Islam and its justice.  After the conquest of Khaibar, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) entered into an agricultural partnership with the Jews.  They would till the lands of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and give half of their produce to the Muslims.  Every year at harvest time, the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would send Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (May Allah be well pleased with him) to estimate the produce.

 

Translation of Hadith: Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (May Allah be well pleased with him) used to divide the produce into two portions and would tell the Jews to select one of their choice. Seeing this justice, the Jews used to exclaim: "The world runs because of the honesty of Muslims."  (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 3415)

 

Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Rawaha (May Allah be well pleased with him) would tell them: 

 

Translation:  O Jews, among all the creation of Allah , you are the most hateful to me. You killed Prophets (Peace be upon them all) and you slandered Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) but your hate cannot force me to oppress you in any way.  (Sharh Ma’ani Ul Aathaar, Vol. 1 Pg. No. 361, Hadith No. 2856)

 

This shows how fairly Muslims have been dealing with non-Muslims that there is not even a trace of oppression and excessiveness.

 

Hadhrat Abu Rafe' was made an envoy by the Quraish and sent to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). He relates:

 

Translation:  When I was awarded the fortune of seeing the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Islam was poured into my heart.  I told the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), I will never return to the non-Muslims.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, No.  I do not break promises and I will not restrain a messenger from going back.  You go back. If you still find in you heart what is present now, you may return.  (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith no.2760)

 

Treating non-Muslim prisoners with kindness

 

Muslims have written history by their extraordinarily good treatment of prisoners even with the way they treated prisoners although prisoners are considered prisoners of war and they are treated in a very painful and abominable manner.  But Islam has set an example about treating them kindly.

 

When the prisoners of Badr were presented before the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) first arranged for their necessities of life.  He distributed these prisoners among the Sahabah and stressed that their needs of life should be taken care of. Hadhrat Abu Aziz (May Allah be well pleased with him), who had not embraced Islam at that time and was a prisoner of Badr, says that I was given to a Madinite companion.  I saw a great example of kind treatment there.  The members of the household would have a few dates and as per the orders of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), would give bread.  I would persuade them to eat bread, but they would never eat.

 

Later this person was released in lieu of ransom.  The benevolence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the greatness of the teachings of Islam and the kind treatment by the Sahabah made him embrace Islam.

 

Nowadays, we hear that Islam is a stern and violent religion, but only the kind treatment given to the prisoners of Badr will reveal the peacefulness, the justice and universal brotherhood of Islam and will remove the doubts about the teachings of Islam.

 

Another example of the benevolence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) released the prisoners in lieu of ransom and for those who were not able to pay ransom, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered them to teach others whatever knowledge/sciences they knew and released them in lieu of that.  When they adorned the uneducated people with their education and knowledge, they were released with full honor.