Islam came to protect the rights of all mankind. Islam does not only talk about protecting the rights of Muslims; Islam also talks about the rights of Muslims. The Holy Quran and Hadith have given us detailed instructions on how to treat non-Muslims. There are many examples of this in the behavior of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions.

Coexistence with non-Muslims:

In a Muslim-dominated country where non-Muslims also live, a Muslim state that recognizes both Muslims and non-Muslims as citizens of the country and ensures the rights of all, the non-Muslim citizens of that country are named by various names in the Holy Quran and Sunnah, including dhimmi and mustaman. Regarding such non-Muslims, Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: ‘Allah does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you on account of religion and have not expelled you from your homes. Allah loves the just.’ (Surah Mumtahinah, verse: 8)

From this verse, it is understood that Islam commands Muslims to behave nicely, kindly and harmoniously with non-Muslims. It even commands them to ensure the rights of animals, birds, insects, etc. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) once saw a burnt anthill and said: ‘Who burned these?’ The Companions said: ‘We burned them.’ Then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Except for the Lord of Fire. It is not appropriate for anyone to punish anyone with fire.’ (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 2675)

That is why our Prophet Rahmatul Lil-Alameen is a mercy for the entire universe. He (PBUH) was sent as a mercy and compassion for all mankind, regardless of Muslims or non-Muslims, and for the entire rest of creation.

Providing security to non-Muslims living in Muslim lands:

Explaining the importance of the security of non-Muslims who accept the rule of Muslim countries and live in Muslim lands, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever kills a person who has been promised security, he will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise. Yet the fragrance of Paradise can be smelled from a distance of forty years.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 7914)

That is, such a person will not be able to go to heaven. From this, it is clear that Islam also protects the rights of non-Muslims. Islam gives them the opportunity to live freely. Moreover, it orders Muslims to treat them well. That is why we see in history that in the early era of Islam, many non-Muslims, impressed by the behavior of the Companions, took refuge in the cool shade of Islam.

We all know about the historical Medina Charter. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) migrated to Medina from Mecca after being persecuted by the polytheists, there were people of different religions and tribes in Medina, including Jews, pagans, and fire worshippers. The Prophet (peace be upon him) came to Medina and made the first agreement of coexistence with them. We know that agreement as the Medina Charter. The Medina Charter of about fourteen and a half years ago is still relevant in the world today. Even today, political, sociological, and geopolitical analysts of the world study and praise the provisions of the historical Medina Charter introduced by the Prophet (peace be upon him). One of the provisions of the Medina Charter was – everyone will follow their own religion and will cooperate with each other to protect the state of Medina. If an external enemy attacks the Muslims, the Jews will fight on their behalf, and if the Jews are attacked, the Muslims will fight on their behalf to protect the state of Medina. There were many other such agreements, which show that in a land where people of different religions and tribes live together, they will cooperate with each other in terms of security.

Attacking non-Muslim places of worship is prohibited even in times of war:

The rule of Islam is that places of worship of other religions should not be attacked in normal times or even in times of war. No religious priest should be pointed at. No place of worship should be set on fire. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say when sending an army to a town: ‘I am sending you (with some advice) – (on the battlefield) you should not be excessive, do not show cowardice, do not disfigure anyone’s face, do not kill any child, do not burn any church and do not uproot any tree.’ (Musannaf Abdir Razzaq, Hadith 9430)

It is easy to imagine how a religion that commands such behavior towards the enemy on the battlefield would command such behavior towards non-Muslims in normal circumstances and in a normal environment. Therefore, we see that during the ‘golden age’ of Muslims, when Muslim soldiers entered a country, the common people would spontaneously convert to Islam. Wars were fought only with soldiers, nothing was said about civilians. Yet they would convert to Islam. Because they had seen before that war only brings destruction. When foreign soldiers came to a town, they would destroy the environment there. Only Muslim soldiers were an exception. Seeing the unique character of Muslims, they would be captivated by the beauty of Islam and take refuge under the flag of Islam.

You cannot be forced to convert to Islam:

Islam does not support forcing religion. The Holy Quran and Sunnah do not command anyone to be forced to convert to Islam. The eternal call to take refuge under the shade of Islam, the religion of equality, peace and justice, has always been and will always be present. But Islam does not force anyone to convert. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: ‘There is no compulsion in religion.’ (Surah Baqarah, Verse: Hadith 256)

How did the Prophet (peace be upon him) behave towards non-Muslims?

How Islam instructs non-Muslims to behave, we can also learn about this through the personal behavior of the Prophet (peace be upon him). In the Sunnah and history. We see that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to give people of different religions the respect they deserve as human beings. He used to treat non-Muslim neighbors well. In most cases, non-Muslims have accepted Islam, fascinated by the beauty of the character of the beloved Prophet (peace be upon him).

An infidel leader was brought as a prisoner of war and tied to a pillar in the Prophet's Mosque. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came and saw that his hands were tied very tightly, causing him pain. Seeing this, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Loosen his ties a little.’ So the Companions did so. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 2291)

Abdullah bin Salam was a Jewish scholar. Seeing the knowledge, wisdom, intelligence and generosity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), he publicly recited the Kalima Shahadah and converted to Islam. In this way, people in droves accepted Islam, captivated by the sweetness of the character of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

During the conquest of Mecca, he placed his hand on the threshold of Mecca and said: ‘People of Mecca, what do you expect from me?’ They said, ‘We expect you as our nephew to forgive us.’ Then he (peace be upon him) said, ‘Just as Joseph (peace be upon him) said, ‘Today you will not be taken revenge from your brothers,’ even though he had the opportunity to do so.’ (Sunan Bayhaqi, Hadith 18275)

No one in the history of the world can show an example of bloodless forgiveness towards those who have oppressed us and forced us to leave our country, except for the prophets and messengers.

Conclusion

Overall, it can be said that Islam is a complete way of life that ensures peace, security and rights not only for Muslims but also for all mankind. Islam encourages people to behave with justice, good conduct and harmony even towards non-Muslims. This liberal principle of Islam is not just theoretical; rather, it has been clearly revealed through practical examples such as the personal life of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the behavior of the Companions and the historical Medina Charter. Even in difficult situations during war, Islam has provided for the safety of non-Muslims’ places of worship, children and innocent people, which is a unique example in the field of human rights. This greatness of Islam has attracted people to it throughout the ages. Therefore, only by following the ideals of true Islam will mankind find the right path to peace and security.

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