Relations with non-Muslims - Teachings of the Prophet of Mercy(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

 The peace-loving nature of Muslims

The Quraish did not prevent anyone from pilgrimage i.e. from Hajj and ‘Umrah, not even 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 greatly distressed.  Being humans, the desire of vengeance might have been ignited.  Muslims could have retaliated.  But Almighty Allah commanded them to treat even such people with kindness.

وَلاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُواْ

And never let the enmity of a people incite you to aggression (against them) since they barred you from the Sacred House (i.e., visiting the Ka’aba.[1]

In matters of justice, Islam has not discriminated between friends and foes.  Islam declares justice and fairness as obligatory even when dealing with sworn enemies, so that a joyful society is built on these lines.  Almighty Allah says:

وَلاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلاَّ تَعْدِلُواْ اعْدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى

And let not (even) the extreme hostility against a people provoke you into abstaining from justice (in their case). Always do justice, (for) it is closer to piety.[2]