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Islam by definition means peace, comfort that promotes religious tolerance. Both the Holy Quran and the Prophetic tradition encourage Muslims to deal with the people of other faith with love, just and fairness.
�Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.� (Quran 60:8)
The above verse not only calls for justice and fairness in dealing with non-Muslims who neither fight Muslims on religious ground nor drive them out of their homes � that is, those who are neither at war with, nor hostile to, Muslims � but also urges Muslims to be kind to them.
�If one amongst the polytheists ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah. and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge.� (Quran 9:6)
The above verse clarifies that polytheists are men without knowledge and advises Muslims to provide shelter for those polytheist who asks asylum during the war and he should be presented with the word of Allah and then he should be taken to a place of his safety.
This verse instructs Muslims not to breach the treaties that they entered with non-Muslims unless non-Muslims dishonor those treaties.
�And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge.� (Quran 6:108)
It is amongst the rights of non-Muslims that their Gods are not mocked.
�And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: But if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient.� (Quran 16:126)
Even though Muslims have every right to inflict the same degree of affliction which they suffered under non-Muslims without exceeding the limit, the above verse emphasizes to endure patience because patience is better.
The following have been recorded in the Prophetic traditions i.e. Hadiths in regards to the Muslims dealing with the non-Muslims.
�Once a funeral procession passed by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he stood up. Thereupon someone remarked, �O Messenger of Allah, it is the funeral of a Jew.� The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, �Was he not a soul?� (Reported by Bukhari, Muslim, Mishkath)
�On the Day of Resurrection I shall dispute with anyone who oppresses a person among the People of the Covenant or infringes on his right, or puts a responsibility on him which is beyond his strength, or takes something from him against his will.� (Reported by Abu Dawud, Mishkath)
The above hadiths safeguard the rights and sanctities of non-Muslims.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said "Do not kill the aged (who don't carry weapons against you), children and women. Try your level best to make peace with those who fight against you and Allah surely loves those who offer peace." (Reported by Abu Dawud, Mishkath)
The above hadith encourages not to harm anyone whether Muslims or non-Muslims and demonstrates the true spirit of believers.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said "All creations belong to Allah's family and Allah like those who are good to His family." (Reported in Baihakki)
The above Prophetic traditions stresses the fact that all creations (Muslims and non-Muslims) belong to Allah's family and a believer is the one who is good to His family.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said 'Allah does not show mercy on those who did not show mercy towards mankind." (Reported by Bukhari, Muslim)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said "Show mercy towards mankind. Allah and angels will show mercy towards you." (Reported by Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said "The believer is not to one who eats to his brim while his neighbor (belonging to any faith) is hungry." (Reported in Baihakki)
Hence from the above discussion it is quite evident that there are numerous instances where Prophet (peace be upon him) has dealt justly with the people of other faith and that certainly proves the concept of universal brotherhood in Islam.
Source: This article is translated from Tamil to English, which is published in Makkal Urimai, Tamil Weekly - Dec 10-16, 2004.
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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