Uncovering Early Islam

Submitted by Balarabe Abba (Nigeria), May 19, 2012 at 12:13

ANTIQUITY

After bloodsheds, King Asoka realized that the only solution is to adopt Law of Righteousness and Tolerance on which he left behind his edicts carved on rocks preserved to the present period for guidance to mankind especially the perplexed, Based on your article commenting on a book written by Robert Spencer (Did Muhammad Exist?), I quote for you from Asoka's Rock Edict VII – Concerning restraint of speech, toleration and respect of other creeds centuries before christ:-

ROCK EDICT VII – TOLERATION

"His Sacred Majesty the King does reverence to men of all Sects…. But the root of it is restraint of speech, to wit, a man must not do reverence to his own sect or disparage that of another man without reason. Depreciation should be for specific reason only, because the sect of other people all deserve reverence for one reason or another. By thus acting a man exalt his own sect, and at same time does service to the sect of other people.

By acting contrariwise, a man hurts his own sect and does disservice to the sects of other people. For he who does reverence to his own sect while disparaging the sect of others wholly from attachment to his own, with intent to enhance the splendor of his sect in reality by such conduct inflicts the SEVEREST INJURY on his own sect.

Concord, therefore is meritorious, to wit, hearkening and HEARKENING WILLINGLY TO THE LAW OF PIETY as accepted by other people. For this is the desire of his Sacret Majesty that all sects should hear much teaching and hold sound doctrine."

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".