Challenge from a Muslim

Submitted by Raiyan (Pakistan), Oct 5, 2006 at 13:32

In 628 C.E. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) granted a Charter of Privileges to the monks of St. Catherine Monastery in Mt. Sinai. I think everyone who reads this will agree that it is an excellent charter, prescribing standards that are agreeable with our contemporary understanding of human rights, liberalism and peaceful co-existence. Indeed, 1500 years ago, there were no formally codified laws, no democracy, and no concept of human rights.

Here is an English translation of this charter, coustesy of the book "Muslim History: 570 - 1950 C.E"

"This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.

Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.

No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion,

Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet.

Verily, they are my allies and they have my secure charter against all that they hate.

No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them.

If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray.

Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world)."

This is how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) wished to deal with the minorities living under his rule. This is how Muslims are meant to interact with non-muslims among them. As a Muslim, THIS is an embodiment of the Islam I respect and believe in.

Aren't these the standards that should prevail in today's highly globalised and multi-cultural world?

If anyone wants to convince themselves or the world of how much evil a religion and its adherents hold, don't turn to quotes of fanatical Muslim clergy, or indeed of those historical figures whos anti-Islamic views have concurred with your own. Cus neither have absorbed the essence of Islam, which (as is illustrated by the passage above) is most compatible with the modern world and the mutual respect we should all be showing each other.

When an individulal/group/government commit acts of violence and display intolerance under the garb of divinity, consider that they may be guilty of politicising religion in an attempt to justify their political agenda(s) instead of sullying the personality of a historical figure -Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

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