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There is a lot of misinformation as regards the attitude of Islam towards other religions. Some think that Islam is intolerant towards other faiths, aims to spread religion by force.

such could only be far from the truth. The basic principle of Islam, respect to all the prophets of the world. The great and liberal mind that preached love and respect for the founders of the all religions of the world . Tolerance is not, in fact, the word that can sufficiently indicate the breadth of the attitude of Islam towards other religions. It preaches equal love for all, equal respect for all.

GOD say

[Mankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you might come to know each other. The noblest among you in Allah’s sight is that one of you who best performs his duty. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.] (Al-Hujurat 49:13)

[If any of the idolaters ask you for protection, give them protection until they have heard the words of Allah. Then convey them to a place where they are safe. That is because they are a people who do not know. How could any of the idolaters possibly have a treaty with Allah and with His Messenger, except for those you made a treaty with at the Masjid al-Haram? As long as they are straight with you, be straight with them. Allah loves those who do their duty.] (At-Tawbah 9:6-7)

During his final sermon, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called on Muslims in the following terms:

“There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab and for a non-Arab over an Arab; or for white over the black or for the black over the white except in piety. Verily the noblest among you is he who is the most pious.”

It is sometimes asserted that the Quran forbids relations of friendship with the followers of other religions. How could a Book which allows a man to have as his comrade in life a woman following another religion (5:5), say in the same breath that no friendly relations can be had with the followers of other religions? The loving relation of husband and wife is the friendliest of all relations and, when this is expressly permitted, there is not the least reason to suppose that other friendly relations are forbidden. The fact is that, wherever there is prohibition against making friends with other people, it relates only to the people who were at war with the Muslims, and this is plainly stated in the Quran:

“Allah forbids you not respecting those who fight you not for religion, nor drive you forth from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly. Surely Allah loves the doers of justice. Allah forbids you only respecting those who fight you for religion, and drive you forth from your homes and help (others) in your expulsion, that you make friends of them; and whoever makes friends of them, these are the wrongdoers” (60:8, 9).

GOD SAYS:

“The Truth is from your Lord; so let him who please believe and let him who please disbelieve” (18:29).

The defense of the Islamic State, military service and maintaining security, were entrusted only to the Muslims provided that the followers of other religions’ —living in the Islamic Society— paid, in return for this, the poll tax. Children, women, the needy, the disabled and monks were exempted from such taxes and from the land tax which was paid by the People of the Book for the lands they exploited.These, also, were exempted from the alms and charity which were paid by Muslims only.

The historian, Thomas Arnold, said in his book «The Call to Islam»: «The aim of imposing the poll tax on the non-Muslim subjects was not —as some people wanted to believe— some sort of penalty for not adopting Islam. It was in return for the protection given to them by the Islamic State because their religions prevented them from. the military service».

In setting up the Islamic state, Prophet Muhammad made it inclusive of the Arabian Jews and Christians. Their persons, properties, churches and synagogues were protected, freedom of worship was guaranteed, and they controlled their own community affairs with their own civil and religious laws and courts. For most of the first century of the Islamic state, in fact, the majority of the citizens were Christians, enjoying peace and liberty such as they had not had even under Christian Rome or Byzantium.

The Jews, from the very beginning in Madinah, and later everywhere else, were lifted from the burden of being clients of individual Arab tribes to being citizens of the state, thus freeing them to focus on their Jewishness. When the Islamic state expanded outside Arabia the Jews of other lands were treated for the first time as liberated citizens. Judaism flourished as never before, with Jews even serving in Muslim armies and administrations while their culture bloomed in the arts, sciences, medicine and philosophy. This knowledge they transmitted to their brethren in the hostile climate of Christian Europe. Even Jewish mysticism originated under the influence of Sufism and spread to northern Europe.

When Islam reached Persia the concept of People of the Book was extended to the Zoroastrians as well. Later, when the Muslims conquered parts of India and encountered Buddhists and Hindus, who appeared to worship idols, the question was referred to the ulema (council of scholars), who judged that even they could have the same protected status as the Jews and Christians, so long as they did not fight Islam and they paid the Jizyah tax. Children, women, the needy, the disabled and monks were exempted from such taxes and from the land tax which was paid by the People of the Book for the lands they exploited.These, also, were exempted from the alms and charity which were paid by Muslims only.

After the Prophet’s death, the Islamic State, throughout all. its epochs, followed the same policy of tolerance:

-Abu Bakr Elsiddiq (May God be gracious to him) said:

«Don’t slay anyone of God’s followers, lest God should punish you for them and throw you on your face in Hell». He delivered a ‘speech to the Muslim armies going to Syria saying: «Don’t mutilate or slay a small child, an old man or a woman. Don’t cut off palm-trees, burn them or pick up any fruit. Don’t slay any sheep, cow or camel unless for food. You will pass by people who devote themselves to worship; leave them to what they devote themselves to. You will come to people who bring you pots of different kinds of food; if you have some of it, mention the name of God».

-Let us listen to Omar Ibnul Khattab talking to, the aliens about their rights and what the Muslims promise them:
«We promise to defend you against anyone who wants to do injustice to you: Muslim or non-Muslim, just ‘the same as we defend ourselves and our property. We pass the sentence on them for your interest in the same way we pass the sentence on them for our money. We shall not deprive you of anything you own which is prohibited by our religion, whether it be blood, dead, intoxicants or pig. We shall not interfere with it, but we shall not allow you to present it to view in Islamic cities». Omar ends his speech by saying: «You have to fulfill whatever we asked you to take upon yourselves and not to deceive Muslims Or support any of their enemies against them with speech or action. You have God’s convenant and promise and the leader of the be believers’ guarantee and the guarantee of the Muslims to be faithful to you and to those who come of age of your sons».

So mercy and good treatment of the People of the Book went on during the reign of Omar Ibnul Khattab. Once he passed by some people who were obliged to sit in the sun in Syria. Omar asked:
«What’s the matter with these people?» He was told that they were arrested because of not paying the poll tax. He was displeased, and asked, «What reason do they give for this? » He was told that they said they had no money. Omar said, «Let them go! We must not burden them beyond their capacity». (By Abuyosof Elkharraj)

THE WESTERN WRITERS WITNESS:

We quote here what has been narrated by some western writers about Islam’s treatment of non-Muslim subjects which came into view on more than one occasion.

Massignon talked about the principles of equality in Islam: «Islam is distinguished by its representing a correct idea of equality through the participation of every member of the nation with one tenth of the resources of the society. Islam has a unique history of cooperation among the members of the whole nation. No other society has such a successful history like that of Islam in uniting such big different nations through equality in rights and duties».

Among these writers we mention Arnold in his books «The Call To Islam», «The Islamic Civilization», and Joze in «The History of the Schools Of Thinking in Islam», Von Krejmar in «The Islamic Civilization», and Van Fluton in «The Arab Domination», who speak about the tax system for the non-Muslim subjects: «It was neither unjust nor exorbitant in view of what the Arab Government did:building roads, digging canals, establishing security and other improvements». They added that: «The system of poll tax was fair. It was levied according to the financial capacity of the individual. It differentiated between the rich, the poor and the moderate. It exempted women men, boys, girls, the disabled and monks. The non-Muslim subjects had a share of the poor dues».

Jan Molia also said that Islam was a heavenly religion. It was a religion of love, affection and honour. It was the most tolerant religion.

George Bernard Shaw did not forget to talk about Islam: «Europe has begun now to feel the wisdom of Muhammad and to adore his religion». He added, «Europe shall declare the Islamic creed innocent of what men of Europe of the Middle Ages accused it of in evil tales. The religion of Muhammad shall be the system on which the bases of the world peace and happiness shall be established. The solution of the world problems will depend on its philosophy. Many of my compatriots and other Europeans follow the principles of Islam. Therefore I can prophesy that the European Islamic era is undoubtedly very near».

Juster Lebon in «The Arab Civilization» confessed that, dt is a fact that nations have never known conquerors as tolerant as the Arabs and a religion as tolerant as their religion».

Adam Metzifi («The Islamic Civilization») praised the Islamic tolerance towards the non-Muslim subjects which was not known in Europe. He said, «The existence of the Christians among the Muslims was the reason for the appearance of the principle of tolerance for which the new reformers called. There was a need for co-existence and harmony that should prevail in all countries. This caused from the very beginning a kind of tolerance ‘which was not known in Europe in the Middle Ages. The result of that tolerance was the birth of the science of comparative religion».

In view of these refuting facts, which we have presented, and which are but a few examples, we can easily see that the Muslims were merciful to the People of the Book who lived in their midst in a society of justice, freedom and equality. The People of the Book know, before anyone else, how the Muslims treated them. This was evident to anyone who had the senses of hearing. and seeing and had an open mind to look for truth and nothing but the truth. This is what our attitude should be whenever we want to get true facts without confusion or obscurity. Truth is like the sun which is hidden from sight by nothing because it is a clear’ and obirons phenomenon which everyone —even the blind— can feel.

If you wish to keep religious harmony, it is better not to interfere with the doctrinal aspects of religion but find out the common factors. In other words, we must find out the areas of concern which the religions share in common. For instance, peace, social justice, removal of poverty, protection of the natural environment from destruction by pollutants and industry, etc.

And as long as we both recognize that God alone is Lord to each and every one of us, no difference and no disagreement is beyond solution. Our religious, cultural, social, economic, and political differences may all be composed under the principle that God alone -- not any one of us, not our passions, our egos, or our prejudices -- is God.

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