The Qur'anic verse, { let there be no compulsion in religion } , was the cornerstone of Muslim relations with Christians in religious matters during the time of the second caliph, Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) Ibn al-Khattab. It should be clearly stated that neither Muslim jurists, Muslim chronicles, nor orientalists past or present have provided any example of an incident in which a Christian was forced to embrace Islam. In fact, Muslim history and literature cite a large number of examples confirming freedom of religion at that time.
For example, Abu Ubayd, in his book "al-Amwal", cites the story of Caliph Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) and his personal servant Astiq, a Christian. Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) frequently tried to convince Astiq to embrace Islam, but when he refused, Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) did nothing except recite the words of the Holy Qur'an, { let there be no compulsion in religion }.
Astiq says that when Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) was about to die, he freed Astiq from slavery and told him he could go wherever he wanted. This bears witness to Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu)'s spirit of tolerance: in spite of his immense power as leader of the Muslim nation, he propagated Islam only in the form of exhortation and persuasion. Beyond that, he made it clear that nobody should be compelled to change his or her religion. This tolerance is evident in the pacts and treaties that Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) concluded
with conquered peoples. A large number of incidents reported in the Muslim juristic and historical literature illustrate Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu)'s favourable conduct towards dhimmis .
He was well-known for instructing his army commanders to deal justly with non-Muslims. For example, it was reported that Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) (after he was stabbed by a dhimmi ) told his would-be successor: "I commend to the Caliph after me that he conduct good treatment to those who are under the Prophet's protection. He should keep the covenant with them, fight those who are after them, and not tax them beyond their capacity". Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu)'s concern for the well-being of dhimmis was thus
shown even on his death bed.
The manner of Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu)'s treatment of dhimmis was supported by his interpretation of the Qur'anic verse:{ Alms are for the poor and the needy } According to Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) , the poor ( "al-fuqara" ) were the Muslims and the needy ( "al-masakin" ) were the dhimmis, including Christians and Jews. Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu)'s interpretation was promulgated after the following incident reported by Abu Yusuf: Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) passed by the door of people at which there was a beggar who was an old blind man. Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) struck his arm from behind and asked, to which People of the Book do you belong ? He said, I am a Jew. Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) said: "what has compelled you to begging ? "The Jewish man replied," I am begging in order to get money to pay for jizyah and my need, as I am old ". Then Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) held his hand, and took him to his house and gave him something and some money. Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) then sent him to the Muslim treasurer ( bayt al-mal ).
Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) instructed the treasurer to take care of this man and whoever was like him. Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) added that with this man we have not done justice to him as we took jizyah from him when he was young but we forsook him when he was old. Verily, the sadaqa is for the poor and destitute. And this one is a destitute from the People of the Book. So Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) exempted taking thejizyah from him.
Finally, Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) combined words with deeds when he sanctioned blood retaliation ( qisas ) in favour of an Egyptian Coptic man against Muhammad, the son of `Amr Ibn al-`As, ruler of Egypt. Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) uttered these historic words to `Amr: "O, `Amr, how could you have enslaved the people, when their mothers have born them free". This incident occurred when the son of `Amr hit the Coptic man, saying: "I am the son of the honoured people". The Copt reported this to Omar(Radiyallahu Anhu) , who did not hesitate to recall Amr and his son from Ehypt, and he told the Copt to hit `Amr's son back".
In the above context, we ( Muslims ) should teach our other Muslim Brothers/Sisters who thinks they can make Non-Muslims to Muslims by indulging themselves in the relation of Love & Lust , that these acts are not the proper tool to make or convince non-muslims accepted the right faith. And also, one cannot spend Millions of $ ( this can be the Zakat of Muslim Ummah) in debating with non-muslims. Instead, this money can be used to the best of utilization in terms of removing the hardships facing by Muslims around the globe, be it a Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, India.
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