The
general policy in Islam is to guarantee full rights to non- Muslim
populations and therefore people subscribing to other religions were
granted full civic rights by the virtue of the Quran and through the
application of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him)(peace be upon him).
Non-
Muslim populations living within Muslim communities were granted
peaceful and prosperous life through guaranteeing security for both
their lives and properties and were given the appellation of "ahl
al-Dhimma" which denotes those people with whom Muslims have an
agreement or the responsibility of their personal safety and security of
their property are undertaken by the Muslim state.
The
basic guidelines which were laid by the Prophet in the early stage in
Madinah where he established a city-state formed a blue print of how
Muslims should deal with Christians and Jews among many other adherents
to different religions. Granting minority rights to different religious
groups through pledges, documents and mutual agreements succeeded in
creating a healthy atmosphere for the development of both spiritual and
material growth of the different religious groups living under the
Islamic rule.
In
order to achieve and grant full rights for different religious
minorities living in Madinah, the Prophet initiated a historical charter
which was later known as "the Charter of the Madinah". By the virtue of
this charter, preventive measures were in place to avoid blood feuds
and crimes among different Arabian tribes composed of all creeds. The
universality of the Islamic creed was meant for the totality of human
beings and this necessitated fair treatment and full equality to those
who chose not to subscribe to the Islamic view on life
Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)made a historical
move of abolishing religious and social inequality. The sixth year of
the Hijra was considered a year of emancipation for Christians as the
Prophet granted the Charter to the Fathers of the Monastery of St.
Catherine; an act which secured Christians with privileges and
amenities.
Muslims
were prohibited under severe penalties from violating and abusing the
provisions of the Charter. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him)was adamant to ensure religious freedom to non-Muslims
across the Islamic state and for this reason he sent instructions to
distant Muslims governors not to tax them unfairly or enforce them to
abandon their faith.
Their
churches and sanctuaries could not be pulled down and replaced by
mosques or houses for Muslims. Moreover, Muslims were asked to cooperate
with Christians should they need an assistance for the repair of their
churches or monasteries or any other matter related to their religion.
Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was keen to grant
religious minorities sufficient judicial autonomy which was a basic
characteristic of the Islamic legal system. Through granting religious
freedom to different religious groups, the Prophet meant to set
guidelines on how we should treat each other fairly which leads to the
prevention of blood shed and wars among nations. The Prophet throughout
his life had a tenacity of the purpose of establishing peace among
nations through signing different pacts, and treaties to ensure peaceful
coexistence and security to all people.
This
is proven through pacts like the Peace of Hudayibiyah and the Treaty of
Taif. Another famous example is the treaty of Najran which was
delivered to Christians of Najran and it surrounding area. The document
reads,
"To
the Christians of Najran and its surrounding territories, the security
of God and the pledge of His Prophet is extended for their lives,
religion and their property- to the present as well as the absent, and
others besides, there shall be no interference within the practice of
their faith or their observance nor any change in their rights and
privileges, no bishop shall be removed from his bishopric, nor any
priest from his priesthood, nor any monk from his monastery, and they
shall continue to enjoy everything great and small as heretofore no
image or cross hall be destroyed, they shall not oppress or be
oppressed; they shall not practice the rights of blood-vengeance as in
the Days of Ignorance, nor shall they be required to furnish provisions
for the troops".
The
treaty of Najran is an illuminating proof of how Islam unreservedly
conferred upon the Scripturalists not only social and religious freedom
but also granted them the power to decide their own civil matters
through establishing judicial autonomy which was not only pertinent to
personal status but also covers civil, penal and all life affairs.
Religious freedom and independent judicial system laid the foundation of
a true confederacy which had a constitution through which different
religious groups became an integral part of a political arrangement by
means of a social contract.
The
integration of non-Muslims in the political life through becoming real
contributing players marked a milestone in the history of human rights.
For instance, Jews and Christians had the right to join the services of
the state. They had the privilege of being consulted on important
matters. They were sometimes deputed to embassies in foreign countries.
They exercised the right to vote. Their opinions were thought on the
administrative affairs of the state. Above all, non-Muslims continued to
live in both Makkah and Madinah and there are reports of Christians
being buried by their Muslim children in Madinah.
Eradicating
injustice and ill treatment to different social and religious groups
was not meant as a bait to lure new converts into Islam but actually was
meant to rectify the crooked way of looking and thinking of other human
beings who do not happen to share the same social status or religious
affiliation. Once some Chrisitan Fathers came to visit the Prophet in
his mosque at Madinah to discuss the merits of a true religion, but
during their stay they couldn't find a church to offer their prayers so
the Prophet offered them his mosque to pray in it.
On
another occasion there was a delegation from the tribe of Thaqif
visiting the Prophet so a tent was fixed up for them within the premises
of the Prophet's mosque. When it was pointed that the visitors were
polytheists, the Prophet said in reply that no one was such but he made
himself one.
The
pinnacle of religious tolerance and clemency was provided by the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon be upon him) upon his
victorious entry to Makkah after long years of suffering and persecution
by the non- Muslim Makkans. The Prophet and his companions endured
redicule and scorn poured on them by the Makkans who had implacable
hatred and enmity against Muslims.
The
long years of bitter, cruel and sustained persecution, all the
fighting, the hardship and suffering and the loss of a lot of dear and
devoted companions; all these were laid aside at the moment of triumph,
banished from mind and forgiven in the name of the Lord. The clemency of
the Prophet was unparalleled in the history of mankind for the accused
were told that they were free.
Giving
a pledge to this effect, the Prophet informed the Makkans they were
free and there was no reproof against them". The glorious act of
unconditional forgiving has no similar act available on record. There
occurred no retaliation, no dispossession, no enslavement, no execution,
no looting and no kidnapping and dishonoring of women by the
conquerors.
Inamullah
Khan, a Pakistani Muslim activist commented on the remarkable event of
the victory of Makkah by saying, "If Muhammad came as a threat to the
monopolies of the few, he came as a blessing to the teaming millions-
the disposed, the disinherited and the neglected, toiling and exploited
masses of mankind. He came to confer privileges on the underprivileged.
He came to grant rights to those whose rights were denied. He came to
provide the cover of protection to the weak, the destitute, the
distressed, and the downtrodden, yes to all those suppressed and
oppressed by those in power."
What
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) achieved
was not less than opening a new chapter of tolerance and justice in
world history. Establishing an independent judiciary system free from
external influences guaranteed the protection of the interests of the
citizens and securing justice for all regardless of their color or
creed. The scrupulous observation and literal adherence of the Muslims
to the terms of the pacts, treaties, alliances and agreements with
non-Muslims was a foundational step into establishing an effective
system of international law.
By
setting clear rules for war engagements and prohibiting Muslims
soldiers from excesses in war fares, Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him)left indelible imprint on the annals of
humanity.
In
his endeavor to establish rules of justice and freedom for different
religious groups, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him)emphasized in different occasions that "whoever oppresses a dhimmi,
shall find me to be their advocate on the Day of Judgment (against the
oppressing Muslim)". The Prophet also warned the Muslims against abusing
Dhimmis as he stated "Remember, one who is unjust to a dhimmi, breaks
his word with him, overburdens him or dispossesses him, I shall plead
against him on the Day of Judgment".
Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was sent as a mercy
to the world to establish the true meaning of brotherhood among humans
as they should all stand united regardless of their skin color or
theological belief. He succeeded in liberating man from the bondage of
man. He gave the dynamic conception of an undivided humanity, the family
of Man, the children of Adam. He managed to raise the ambitions of
people from the limited confinements of national identity to the liberal
wide-open meaning of humanity.
The
world is passing through a dark phase of moral bankruptcy, social
disintegration and parochial loyalties which helped in inciting wars and
increasing the weight of the roaring voices calling for enmity and
hatred.
Prophet
Muhammad's message sanctified the life of all human beings irrespective
of their racial origin or religious affiliation. He taught us the true
meaning of mercy to all and came to confirm the essence of the three
Abrahamic faiths; an essence based on dispassionate love for humanity
regardless of color, culture or creed
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