ABSTRACT

I will elaborate some points about the topic RELATION WITH NON-MUSLIMS or ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE OF INTER RELIGIOUS RELATIONS. The issue of what Islam has to say about inter-community relations is one about which much misunderstanding exists. Anti-Muslim propagandists claim that Islam preaches hatred for non-Muslims, and that the Quran is a menace to world peace. They go so far as to argue that world peace is simply impossible as long as the Quran exists. In order to back their propaganda, they have deliberately twisted and misinterpreted certain verses of the Quran. Many people with little knowledge have fallen prey to this poisonous propaganda, which has been aggressively spread on an enormous scale through the media. At the same time, we must also admit that some Muslims themselves entertain misunderstandings and extremist views about the issue of relations between Muslims and others that are based on a completely wrong interpretation of the Quran and the Sunnah. This calls for a detailed study, so that misunderstandings, wrong interpretations and extremist views about Islamic teachings regarding relations between Muslims and others can be countered. So by some points I will prove that Islam never condemned good relation with Muslims but shariah, principles are told to keep relations with non-Muslims. The main points which I have elaborated are as under: Social relations with non-Muslim compatriots in a non-Muslim country Islamic commandments in the countrys laws Honest with non-Muslims Muslims should be beneficiary to non-Muslims Monetary help to non-Muslims Help to weak and powerless non-Muslims Maintain good relations with non-Muslims relatives Treating non-Muslims prisoners with kindness

We will discuss all these points. We will elaborate these points by taking help with quranic verses, hadiths and Islamic history.

SOCIAL RELATIONS WITH NON-MUSLIM COMPATRIOTS IN A NON-MUSLIM COUNTRY

Islam is a universal religion. It is the only religion which assures success, betterment and peace of all human beings. Its message of peace is for all mankind and all its sections. The existence of Muslims is for the benefit of others and to provide relief to them as Allah SWT says: Al Imran-110: "Ye are the best community that hath been raised up for mankind. Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah; and if the People of the Scripture had believed it would have been better for them. Some of them are believers; but most of them are evil-doers". When the reason behind the creation of Muslims is to benefit and provide relief to others, then no matter where Muslims live, Islam permits it. Islam absolutely allows Muslims to settle in a Non-Muslim country provided the rules of Islam can be followed. Hejira (Hijrat) is not necessary for Muslims but it is allowed when the need arises as Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told the Sahabah in Makkah: "It is good if you go to Abyssinia because the King of that land is such that in his land, nobody is oppressed. It is the best land till Allah SWT opens another way for you." The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered the Sahabah to go to Abyssinia even though the King of that land was Non-Muslim and the government was a non-Islamic one. In that non-Islamic country, what kind of relations were maintained with the NonMuslims and what standard of morality did the Muslims display can best be understood by the brilliant speech of Hadhrat Ja'afar (May Allah be pleased with him), which he gave in the court of the King of Abyssinia - " O King, All of us were ignorant and dim-witted. We worshipped idols, ate unsacrificed carrion and indulged in various types of immodesty. We broke relations with our relatives. We mistreated our neighbors. The strong among us oppressed the weak. We were in this state when Allah SWT had mercy on us. He sent down a Prophet from among us, whose lineage, truth and honesty, modesty was well known to us. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) invited us towards to Allah SWT and taught us to know and believe that Allah SWT is One and to worship Him only; and to leave those idols which we and our forefathers worshipped. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) commanded us to worship only Allah and not to hold anybody as an associate with Allah. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) commanded us to perform Salaat i.e. Prayers, Zakat i.e. charity and Sawm i.e. fasting." Hadhrat Ja'afar mentioned the rules of Islam and said, "The True Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered us to be truthful. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered us not to break trust, to honor our relations, to treat our neighbors well, to refrain from bloodshed and stopped us from all kinds of immodesty, from unlawful actions, from lying, from embezzling the money of orphans and from slandering virtuous women. Thus, we acknowledged Him (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as the Prophet and believed in Him (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and followed

whatever He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) brought for us from Allah SWT. Accordingly, we worship only Allah SWT and do no consider anybody as an associate to Him. Whatever Allah SWT made lawful for us, we consider it lawful and whatever is made unlawful for us we consider it unlawful. Only because of this, our people turned into our enemies. They troubled us to no end. They tortured us in many ways so that we may return to worship of idols and consider those filthy, unlawful things as lawful. When they crossed all limits in their torment and torture, when they constrained us, when they came between us and our religion, then we left our land and preferred you to others and assumed your neighborhood in the hope that you will not oppress us." Najashi said "Do you remember any of the Word of Allah SWT which your Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) brought?" Hadhrat Ja'afar said "Yes". Najashi said, " Recite something from it, so that I may listen." Hadhrat Ja'afar (May Allah be pleased with him) recited the beginning verses of Surah Maryam. The King and all the courtiers started weeping. The Kings beard was wetted with his tears. When the recitation ended, the King said," This Word and the words which Sayyeduna Isa (Prophet Jesus) brought are the light of one and the same truth." He told the Quraish delegation frankly, "I will not hand over these people to you and there is no chance of it." (Subul ul Huda war Rasshad)

ISLAMIC COMMANDMENTS IN THE COUNTRY'S LAWS

The Hadith/Traditions frequently mention that when people from different tribes reverted to Islam, then even with their earnest wish of settling down in Madinah Tayyaba, the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered them to go back to their respective places and obey the commandments of Islam there although those places had a majority of Non-Muslims. In the same way, when Yemen was conquered, some Sahabah were already found to reside there. The travels of the Sahabah to Non-Muslim lands and their settling down in those lands in well established. When Islam permits Muslims to live in Non-Muslim lands, the question raised is how should our relations with them be? The Holy Quran and the Hadith have clear commandments about this. When Muslims go to any Non-Muslim land and settle down there, then through the passport and the visa they make a kind of promise to follow the country's laws. To fulfill this promise is necessary. As Allah SWT says: Bani Israil verse-34 "And keep the covenant. Lo! Of the covenant it will be asked."

THE COMMANDMENT TO BE HONEST WITH NON-MUSLIMS

The following Hadith proves that fulfillment of even a forced promise is also necessary Hadhrat Hudhaifah bin Yaman (May Allah be pleased with him), was coming to Madina Tayyaba along with his father to meet the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa

sallam) On the way, he met the army of Abu Jahl. The army of Abu Jahl told them that they would not allow them to go to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) because you will fight against us. At last they promised that they would not join the army against them. Hadhrat Hudhaifah and his father made this promise under compulsion. Then they let them go and both of them came to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa salam). The Battle of Badr came to be. Somebody said, "O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), these 2 are new men. Permit them also to fight because they were forced to make that promise." Hadhrat Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) also expressed his eager desire but the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "No. Fulfill the promise which you made to Abu Jahl. Breaking trust is not the mark of a Momin (believer); so, you cannot participate in this battle." Al-Isaba This incident shows that when a Muslim makes a promise to a Non-Muslim compatriot, then Islam declares the fulfillment of that promise to be necessary. Provided the promise does not go against the commandments of Islam. The teachings of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) provide relief to the whole humankind. The example of Muslims who have fulfilled their promises to Non-Muslims even in desperate circumstances is ideal and unparalleled in history. The Islamic Shariah has permitted Muslims to settle in any part of the world because Muslims are mercy and peace personified. Muslims are not terrorists or a threat to peace but are upholders of peace and provide comfort to the entire humanity. From Arabia to Asia, Europe to Africa, Africa to Asia wherever Muslims went, they carried the message of peace and safety, of justice and equity and of kindness and benevolence. They changed the atmosphere of the society which was filled with fear and terror to peace and security. Their impeccable morality, the fairness of their dealings, their equity and integrity, their love and brotherhood, their clemency and warmness cleared the clouds of oppression and enmity and the flowers of justice and fairness blossomed forth. Islam permits social relations, trade dealings like buying, selling, mortgage, bail bonds and other affairs with Non-Muslim compatriots and has stressed truthfulness and fairness in all dealings and has prohibits from lying, deception, cheating etc. It decrees humility in place of pride and vanity. It prefers mildness and gentleness to belligerence and severity. It gives instructions to exercise patience and forbearance instead of anger, fury. It encourages forgiveness and answering evil with good. Even when going for revenge, it instructs not to overstep the limit of revenge. It teaches to refrain from mischief and devilry and to abide by justice and equity. In these matters, Islam does not distinguish between Muslims and Non-Muslims. Social and moral relations with Non-Muslims

Irrespective of whom the relationship is with, a Muslim must always remember that he is a Muslim. Islam has stressed upon social and moral relations with non- Muslims to a greater extent than with Muslims. Allah SWT says, Al Mumtahinah-verse-08 "Lo! Allah loveth the just dealers." This verse shows that in any case, we should treat Non-Muslims with fairness and justice. Some interpreters of the Holy Quran have written that every Non-Muslim should be treated with fairness and justice. Here the import of the verse is that you should console them by voluntarily giving them a part of your wealth. (Ahkam ul Quran) Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Muhammad (May Allah be pleased with them both) have ruled in the light of this verse that optional charity may be given to Non-Muslims (Shaikh zada) A Tradition says that all states that spend (charity) on people of all religions. (Nasab al Raya) In another verse extra-ordinary fair social dealings have been ordered. Ha Meem Sajda verse-34 "Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! He, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend." The common interpretation for this verse is given as to deal with your enemies so that they become your fast friends. But the eloquence of this verse also permits the interpretation that irrespective of whether they become your friends or not, you treat them as you would deal with your close friends.

TO TREAT NON-MUSLIMS LIKE THIS IS STRESSED BECAUSE MUSLIMS ARE ONLY TO BENEFIT OTHERS
Allah SWT says Baqara-verse-83- "And speak kindly to mankind;" There is no restriction of any color, race, religion, belief here. This command is for all. The Quraish did not prevent anyone from pilgrimage i.e. from Haj and Umrah even for their avowed enemies. But when the Muslims came with the intention of Umrah, they were stopped. Permission was not given. Muslims' sentiments were hurt and they were distressed extra-ordinarily. Almost naturally, the Muslims could have retaliated. But Allah SWT commanded them to treat even such people with kindness. Maida-02 "And let not your hatred of a folk who (once) stopped your going to the inviolable place of worship seduce you to transgress;" There is no difference between Muslim and Non-Muslim or friend and foe in matters of justice. Justice and fairness is compulsory even when dealing with enemies, so that a pleasant society can be created on this basis. "And let not the hatred of a nation lead you to injustice. Be just. Justice is much nearer to piety." Islam is not to follow the general course of events. It enforces such rules that can

change the general course of events. Even after such explicit and pure teachings, is there any room to say that Islam cannot (and does not) bear its opponents? That it encourages fights and battles with them? That it teaches terrorism? And imposes its beliefs on them by force?

MONETARY HELP TO NON-MUSLIMS

It is a special characteristic of Muslims to spend on Non-Muslims and to sympathize with them in periods of crises and difficulties. The best example which the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) set for Muslims can be found in this Tradition, "A year when the people of Makkah al Mukarramah were in the clutches of a famine, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam sent 500 Dirhams each to Abu Sufyan and Safwan bin Umayya to distribute them among the poor and destitute of Makkah." (Radd ul Muhtaar Vol II Pg No.92)

HELPING WEAK AND POWERLESS NON-MUSLIMS

The laudable attributes of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) which were described by Hadhrat Sayyada Khatija tul Kubra (May Allah be well pleased with Her) include," He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to maintain good relations with His relatives" Obviously, those relatives were Non-Muslims only. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to lift the load of the weak i.e. He Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam used to hoist the load of Non-Muslims, the handicapped, the old and the weak on to His own blessed back. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to host people and used to help the troubled people for the sake of Allah SWT. When Heraclius (Harqil) questioned Abu Sufyan about the teachings of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), he answered, "He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) teaches us to offer Salaat (prayer), to speak the truth, to abstain from adultery and to maintain good relations with our relatives." This is the treatment of the Holy Prophet's (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) warmheartedness, kind treatment and sympathy with the Non-Muslims. Muslims consider this as a religious duty and believe that following this Tradition i.e. a Sunnah of the Benevolent Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and leads to divine reward.

MAINTAINING GOOD RELATIONS WITH NON-MUSLIM RELATIVES

Maintaining good relations with Non-Muslims relatives, treating them with beneficence and helping and sympathizing with them has been stressed extraordinarily. Even when Non-Muslim parents force one towards apostasy and Kufr, they have to be treated with kindness. It is not permitted to mistreat them because of their apostasy. The verse is a proof of this commandment that needy Non-Muslim parents should be treated with kindness through money. They should be addressed mildly and they should be invited towards Islam softly and gently. The relations with other Non-Muslims also should be cordial and the Muslims have been

commanded to support them in their periods of crises and difficulties. Muslims are also allowed to call upon Non-Muslims when they fall ill. Sahih Bukhari has a Hadith on the authority of Hadhrat Anas (May Allah be well pleased with him) A young boy who served the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) fell sick. So the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) went to visit him. He sat near his head and asked him to embrace Islam. The boy looked at his father questioningly, who was sitting there; the latter told him to obey Hadhrat Abul Qasim (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and the boy embraced Islam. The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came out saying: "Praise is to Allah Who saved the boy from the fire of Hell." Sahih Bukhari-Chapter of funerals The Prophet of Mercy (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and His concern for humankind The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) stressed social relations with Non-Muslims to the extent that He stood up when a Non-Muslim's funeral procession passed by! There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari, " Hadhrat Sahl bin Haneef and Hadhrat Qais bin Sa'ad (May Allah be well pleased with them both) were in Qadsiyya. A funeral procession passed by them. Both of them stood up. They were told that the deceased was a Dhimmi- (lit. the protected ones). They answered, verily a funeral procession went by the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) stood up. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was told that the deceased was a Jew. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) asked: Is he not a human being?" In the same way, if a Non-Muslim dies the Muslim guardian is allowed to perform the necessary activities and bury the Non-Muslim.

HONESTY OF MUSLIMS RUNS THE WORLD- A CONFESSION BY THE JEWS

Islam has permitted trade and other such affairs with Non-Muslims. After the conquest of Khaibar, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) entered into an agricultural partnership with the greatest enemies of Islam-Jews. They would work on the lands and give half of their produce to the Muslims. Every year at harvest time, the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would send Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (May Allah be well pleased with him) to estimate the produce. Sunan- Abu Dawood Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaha (May Allah be well pleased with him) used to divide the produce into two portions and would tell the Jews to select one of their choice. Seeing this justice, the Jews used to exclaim, "The world runs because of the honesty of Muslims." Hadhrat Ibn e Rawaha (May Allah be well pleased with him) used to tell them, "O Jews, among all the creation of Allah, you are the most hateful to me. You killed Prophets (Peace be upon them all) and you slandered Allah SWT but your hate cannot force me to oppress you in any way." Sharh Ma'ani al Asaar. This shows how fairly Muslims have been dealing with Non-Muslims that there is not

even a trace of oppression and excessiveness. In the same way Muslims can enter into mortgage agreements with Non-Muslims. There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) pawned His shield with a Jew for a loan of grain.

SOCIAL RELATIONS WITH NON-MUSLIMS

Muslims can also work for Non-Muslims on wage basis. In the times of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), some cases like this can be found. One among them is that Hadhrat Khubab (May Allah be well pleased with him) says that I was a blacksmith. I had made a sword for 'Aas bin Wail. My wage was still with 'Aas. When I demanded it, 'Aas bin wail said, By Allah, I will not give it to you till you deny Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). I countered, By Allah, this cannot happen even till you are resurrected. He asked, Will I be resurrected? I said Yes, this will happen. He said, If this happens, I will have money, progeny and everything else. I will pay back your loan also." On this the verse was revealed, "Do you not see the person who denied Our verses and said, that day certainly I will be given money and progeny" _ Bukhari Kitab Ul Ijara. The way Muslims exchange gifts, in the same way gifts can be accepted and given to Non-Muslims also, so that the social relations become cordial. Accordingly, Jame Tirmidhi has a Hadith in the Chapter of Accepting the gifts of polytheists The Emperor of Iran sent a gift into the presence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) accepted it. Similarly other kings also sent their gifts. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) accepted them. Jame Tirmidhi has another Tradition that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) accepted gifts from the disbelievers. In the same way, it is permitted to host Non-Muslims and to accept their invitations. Provided there is no unislamic act in the party or feast. Musnad e Ahmad Vol 3 pg no. 211 says that a Jew invited the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) to a "feast" of barley bread and stinking fat and the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) accepted it. Verse Maida-05- "The food of those who have received the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them." (But those animals which were not sacrificed in the name of Allah can never be held permissible.) Hadhrat Abu Sa'laba (May Allah be well pleased with him) says that we went up to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and said, "We were journeying. We crossed Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians (Fire worshippers). We did not have any vessels, utensils excepting theirs. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: If you do not have other utensils, then wash them and eat and drink in them. (Tirmidhi, Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawood)

Apparently, the utensils of Non-Muslims can be used only when other utensils are not available; that too after washing. But the Fuqaha (Islamic Jurists) and the interpreters (Shariheen) have explained that this is only for those utensils which are used for wine, pork etc. Because even after washing them there is a feeling of undesirability about those utensils. For this, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "When you don't have utensils, then wash them and use them." But use of other utensils of Non-Muslims is permitted even when other utensils are available. Accordingly, there is a Tradition in Jame Tirmidhi Vol 2 pg no.2- The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was asked about the use of the utensils of Zoroastrians (Fire- Worshippers). He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied wash them properly and cook in them. These Traditions show that invitations from Non-Muslims can be accepted and their utensils can be used. To host Non-Muslims is also a moral responsibility. Hosting of Non-Muslims guests is also counted as a moral responsibility. There is a Tradition in Jame Tirmidhi, " It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him) that a Non-Muslim guest came to presence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered a goat to be milked for him. He drank it. Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered another goat to be milked. He drank that also. A third goat's milk was ordered. He drank that also. And so on. The guest drank away the milk of 7 goats. When the next day dawned, the guest embraced Islam. Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered a goat to be milked for him (May Allah be pleased with him). He (May Allah be pleased with him) drank it. Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered another goat to be milked. The guest (May Allah be pleased with him) could not even finish this serving. Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "A disbeliever fills 7 intestines (with food) and a Muslim fills only one." Tirmidhi Vol 2 pg vo.4 This Tradition shows the grand manner in which the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) hosted His Non-Muslim guest, so much so that He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered 7 goats to be milked for him May Allah be pleased with him. Relations with Non-Muslim neighbors Exhortations to support and help neighbors and to treat them with kindness and consideration are of a general nature. There is no separation between Muslim and Non-Muslim neighbors. Some exegetes (Mufassirin) hold that it means Non-Muslim neighbors. Jame Tirmidhi Vol 2 pg no. 16 has a Tradition, " It has been narrated on the

authority of Imam Mujahid (May Allah envelope him His Mercy) that a goat was slaughtered in the house of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah be pleased with them both). When he arrived, He (May Allah be pleased with him) he asked, Did you send anything as a gift to my Jewish neighbor? I have heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saying, Jibrail (Gabriel) kept on bringing exhortations about neighbors, so much so that I thought he would declare the neighbor as a heir." Imam Qurtubi says, "The Islamic Scholars have said, The Traditions about honoring neighbors do not have any restriction of any kind. Even a disbeliever is included."

TREATING NON-MUSLIM PRISONERS WITH KINDNESS

Muslims have made history of good manners and exceptional behavior even with the way they treated prisoners. Although prisoners are considered criminals. They are treated in a very painful and abominable manner. But Islam has set an example about treating them kindly. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) distributed the prisoners of the battle of Badr who held nothing back in troubling and torturing Muslims, among the Companions and instructed that they should be treated with kindness. Abu Aziz bin Umair who was the flag-bearer of the Makkan army relates that, "I was given to an Ansari (i.e. Madinite) Companion. He was so meticulous in this that he gave me bread to eat while he himself subsisted on dates. If his family managed to lay their hands even on one piece of bread, they would not eat it but hand it over to me. This kindness embarrassed me." (Seerat un Nabi 2/256) To converse with and to behave with Non-Muslims in a pleasing manner is necessary. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "Behave with everybody in a good manner." Tirmidhi Vol 2 pg no-9 Islam orders Muslims to fulfill the pacts they have made with Non-Muslims. Abu Rafe' was made an Envoy by the Quraish and sent to the presence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). He relates, "When I was awarded the fortune of seeing the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Islam was poured into my heart. I told the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), I will never return to the Non-Muslims. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, No. I do not break promises and I will not restrain a messenger from going back. You go back. If you still find in you heart what is present now, you may return." Sunan Abu Dawood, The book of Jihad, Hadith no.2377 Muslims are beneficial to the Non-Muslim country? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) never broke His promises even in the face of oppression and torture by the Non-Muslims. A Muslim is beneficial to the country which he/she lives in. The residents of that

country are not harmed in any way by the Muslims. A Muslim will never allow any trouble or unrest in the Non-Muslim country in which he/she resides. Because the Lord Almighty Allah SWT has issued instructions that the very existence of Muslims is for the betterment and success of mankind. ""Ye are the best community" does not separate between Muslim and Non-Muslim. In fact, the words of the verse show that Non-Muslims should also be benefited in a greater manner. Islam never spread through the sword and the sword was never used for the sake of Islam. It spread only through character. Whenever the sword was used, it was used either for defense of Islam or to remove troubles and unrests or to maintain peace or to fulfill pacts. The stringent warning which the Merciful Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) gave for those who oppress and exploit the party of a pact can be understood with the help of the following Tradition of Abu Dawood, Listen! Whoever oppresses a party of a pact, reduces his rights, overwhelms him with more than he can handle or takes something for him without his express wish and permission, on the day of judgment, I (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) will fight the case on his (i.e. the oppressed party's) behalf. Now, the Tradition which is going to be mentioned is the essence of everything about this matter. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, That person is considered faithful from whom everybody's blood and wealth is safe. In this Tradition, it is as clear as the sky that Islam has accorded protection to the life and wealth of Non-Muslims. It has given them the right of honorable living. And the mark of a perfect Muslim is that everybody is safe from him, irrespective of whether the person is a Muslim or Non-Muslim. http://www.islam-n-nonmuslims.blogspot.com/ http://ziaislamic.com/english/Interface/ArticleUrduDet.php?ids=209