Anyone can say or claim anything, be it true or false. What distinguishes the truth from falsehood is one’s practice and deeds. If one’s speech conforms to his/her deeds, one is considered truthful and vice versa. To be truthful, you have to walk the talk!
Anyone can say or claim anything, be it true or false. What distinguishes the truth from falsehood is one’s practice and deeds. If one’s speech conforms to his/her deeds, one is considered truthful and vice versa. To be truthful, you have to walk the talk!
In the case of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him), it was not him who talked about or described himself. Rather, it was Allah the Almighty Who described him saying:
{And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds} (Al-Anbiya’ 107)
These 9 Lovely Hadiths Show Prophet’s Care for Children
The Prophet’s mercy was not, in any way, restricted to Muslims. It encompassed all, Muslims and non-Muslims, humans and the Jinn, and even animals and non-living things.
He (peace and blessings upon him) even showed mercy to those who wronged him or attempted to kill him.
Below are some prime examples of the mercy shown to his non-Muslim neighbors, relatives, and fellow countrymen.
If you are a new Muslim facing difficulties dealing with your relatives or a young student who has non-Muslim colleagues or perhaps you are a professional wondering how to interact with your coworkers of different faiths, these hadiths are for you:
Be kind to your non-Muslim relatives
1. Asma’ bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with her) said:
“My mother came to me while she was still a polytheist, so I asked the Messenger of Allah, ‘My mother, has come to visit me and she is hoping for (my favor). Shall I maintain good relations with her?’
He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, ‘Yes, maintain good relations with your mother’” (Al- Bukhari and Muslim).
Is your non-Muslim family hostile? Pray for them
Muslims and Non-Muslims Relations: The Basic Rule
2. Narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him):
At-Tufail ibn `Amr came to the Prophet and said, ‘The Daws (tribe) have perished as they disobeyed and refused to accept Islam. So invoke Allah against them.’
But the Prophet said, ‘O Allah! Give guidance to the [the tribe of] Daws and bring them [as Muslims]!’” (Al-Bukhari)
Exchanging gifts with non-Muslims
3. Narrated by Ibn `Umar:
`Umar saw a silken cloak for sale draped over a man and requested the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) to buy it in order to wear it on Fridays and while meeting delegates.
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, ‘This is worn by the one who will have no share in the Hereafter.’
Later on, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) got some silken cloaks similar to that one, and he sent one to `Umar.
`Umar said to the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him), ‘How can I wear it, while you said about it what you said?’
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, ‘I have not given it to you to wear but to sell or to give to someone else.’
So, `Umar sent it to his brother at Makkah before he embraced Islam” (Al-Bukhari). The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) did not blame him for his deed.
Receiving gifts from non-Muslims
How the Prophet (PBUH) Treated New Muslims
4. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) accepted gifts from non-Muslims too.
Al-Bukhari narrated that a Jewish woman brought him a sheep which was proved later to be poisoned after he ate some of it. The Prophet pardoned her.
However, later on, when Bishr ibn Al-Bara’, who had also eaten from it, died, the Jewish woman was killed for him.
Protect non-Muslims rights
5. A number of the Prophet’s Companions narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
‘Beware, if anyone wrongs a mu`ahid [i.e. a non-Muslim enjoying the protection of Muslims], or diminishes his right, or forces him to work beyond his capacity, or takes from him anything without his consent, I shall be his adversary on the Day of Judgment” (Abu Dawud).
6. Narrated by `Abdullah ibn `Amr:
The Prophet said, “Whoever killed a mu`ahid shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years (of traveling).” (Al-Bukhari).
Visit the sick
How Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Spoke of Other Prophets
7. Narrated by Anas:
“A young Jewish boy used to serve the Prophet and he became sick. So the Prophet went to visit him. He sat near his head and asked him to embrace Islam. The boy looked at his father, who was sitting there. The latter told him to obey the Prophet and the boy embraced Islam.
The Prophet came out saying:
“Praise be to Allah Who saved the boy from the Hell-fire” (Al-Bukhari)
Doing business with non-Muslims? Why not?
8. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do business and enter into dealings with non-Muslims. It was narrated that `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
“The Messenger of Allah bought some food on credit from a Jew, and he gave him a shield of his as collateral (rahn)” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Respect for deceased persons
9. Jabir ibn Hayyan said:
“The Prophet and his Companions stood up for the funeral of a Jew until it disappeared” (Sunan An-Nasa’i).
A final word
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) treated all people well, including non-Muslims. Allah enjoined fairness, kindness, good treatment and rendering back trusts for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
The Qur’an says:
{Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair.} (Al-Mumtahanah 60:8)
From this ayah we understand that Muslims should be kind to all peaceful people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
As charity begins at home, a Muslim, be it a born Muslim or a new Muslim should deal fairly and nicely with his peers especially when they are family or neighbors.
Muslims and Non-Muslims Relations: The Basic Rule
Islam has not left any aspect of life without its required guidelines. For each aspect, it sets a basic rule, which is in harmony with the basic rules of the other aspects, to indicate in the end, that there is only one Creator and one perfect Legislator.
The basic rule usually functions as an axis around which the secondary rules and exceptions revolve. The relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims is no exception.
Mercy for All
The basic rule for relations between Muslims and non-Muslims is based on a few verses. The first can be translated as,
{We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy for the worlds} (Al-Anbiya’ 21:107).
This verse clearly assures that Islam is a mercy for all accountable beings, both humans and the Jinn.
Islam is a mercy because it guides Muslims to felicity and happiness in both this world and in the hereafter. But is Islam a mercy for only those who choose it as their faith or should Muslims force people to accept it? Here, the second verse comes to assure that
{There is no compulsion in religion. The truth stands out clear from error.} (Al-Baqarah 2:256).
Other verses that make up the basic rule specifically define the kind of relationship that should take place between Muslims and non-Muslims. The Quran says as follows:
{Allah does not forbid you respecting those who have not made war against you on account of (your) religion, and have not driven you forth from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves the doers of justice.
Allah only forbids you respecting those who made war upon you on account of (your) religion, and drove you forth from your homes and backed up (others) in your expulsion, that you make friends (and ally) with them, and whoever makes friends with them, these are wrong-doers.} (Al-Mumtahanah 60:8-9)
The above verses clearly assures that Muslims should not force others to accept Islam.
Justice and kindness
A Bond of Prophethood: Were Previous Prophets Muslims?
In addition, Allah Almighty does not forbid Muslims from dealing justly with those who do not fight Islam or oppress Muslims. Indeed, He enjoins Muslims to do favors for them. Obviously, doing favors is more than just dealing justly, because it gives people more than what they deserve.
The above verses affirm that it is only forbidden to have relations with those who show hostility to Muslims. In this context, those who aid the oppressors are not better than the oppressors themselves.
Abrogated Rule?
It is important to note that the above verses were revealed after the first verses of the same surah, Al-Mumtahanah, which forbid taking guardians and trustees from among the enemies of Allah, they also encourage Muslims to follow the example of Prophet Ibrahim who boycotted the enemies of Allah.
This fact confirms the validity of the ruling given in the above verses and proves that they had not been abrogated. It is also important that the second verse of the surah provides a clear description of the enemies of Allah.
{If they get the better of you, they would treat you as their enemies and stretch forth,their hands and tongues against you with evil, and they desire that you become unbelievers.} (Al-Mumtahanah 60:2)
Verse seven of the same chapter serves as an introduction for verses eight and nine, confirming that the above enmity does not always last forever. Allah says what means,
{It may be that Allah creates (mutual) love between you and the ones of them whom you took as enemies} (Al-Mumtahanah 60:7).
The verse does not stipulate an enemy’s conversion as the reason for removing the enmity; actually, enmity may be ended if an enemy takes a supportive or at least a neutral position.
Common Grounds
As mentioned above, the ultimate goal of Islam is to establish peace and to bring about happiness for all beings in both this world and the eternal one in the hereafter.
How Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Spoke of Other Prophets
In case some people refuse to cooperate in achieving peace and happiness in the hereafter, Muslims should still cooperate with them to maintain peace and happiness in this world. Allah says what means,
{O you people We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. The best among you is the most pious} (Al-Hujurat 49:13).
Islam did not come to break the ties between human beings, to spread hatred and enmity, or to encourage bloodshed. Nor did it come to eliminate the freedom of choice in this life, which is secured by God.
Indeed, even Satan was granted the freedom to choose between obeying and disobeying his Lord; he misused this gift and chose to disobey.
The above basic rule is based on the fact that Allah has distinguished humankind and the Jinn with special gifts that made them accountable for their choices in this life, for which they will be rewarded or punished mainly in the hereafter.
Among these special gifts are intellectual faculties, divine guidance, and a limited freedom of choice.
Prophet’s Battles
A thorough review of the expeditions and battles during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) shows that the Prophet never once initiated hostility. Rather, he only became involved in battles in self-defense and retaliation. In general, the causes of these battles could be classified under the following categories:
- Self-defense, such as the battles of Uhud and Al-Khandaq.
- Retaliation for oppression and continuous hostility. This is true in the case of all major battles, including the battles with the tribe of Quraish such as Badr.
- Following in the tracks of the enemies who carried out a raid on Madinah, such as the expedition of As-Sawiq and the expedition of Thi Qarad.
- Surprising enemies who were preparing themselves to attack Muslims, such as the expedition of Bani Al-Mustaliq and the expedition of Dawmat Al-Jandal.
- Punishing betrayers or traitors, as in the case of Bani An-Nadeer, Bani Quraidhah, and the conquest of Makkah.
So, the basic rule in the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims is that there must be coexistence and peace. This situation must be maintained, even if non-Muslims continue to reject Islam for themselves, as long as they do not react in a hostile way.
