|
Islam is not in favor of forcing people into religion. One will not find a single instance of forced conversion during the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) or his rightly guided companions. It fact, it addresses hearts and minds of mankind, it provides ample evidence of its truthfulness. Let's first analyze the Seerah of the Prophet (pbuh). When he was calling the people of Makkah towards Islam, they offered him several things in
order to prevent him from propagating Islam, which also included the offer to become the King of Makkah. If he wished he could have become the King of Makkah and influence the powerful and strong people of Makkah in his favor and force them to accept Islam. He used to do Jihad only against those who fought with him. For those who wanted to have peace treaty with him, he agreed with them until they themselves broke the treaty and betrayed his trust, consequently the Prophet (pbuh) engaged in war against them, same were the people who had come to fight the battle of Badr, if they ceased, he wouldn't fight with them. This is what happened in Khandaq and Uhud, too. Narrated Abdullah bin Abbas: Ansar had a practice that if children of certain women didn't survive, they would take an oath that if in future any child survives, they would make him a Jew. In the Yahudi tribe Banu Nazir, there were such a few children. But when Ansar embraced Islam, they said: We used to do this when we believed their religion to be better than ours. Now, since Allah (swt) has favored us with Islam, therefore we will forcefully make these children Muslims. Then Allah (swt) revealed the verse from Surah Baqarah chapter 2, verse 256: "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things." Saeed Bin Jubair (R.A.), a Tabi'un (a generation which followed that of the Companions of the Prophet), after narrating the above mentioned Hadith said: Thus whoever wants, may join them (Kufaar) and whoever wants may accept Islam. (Sunan Abu-Dawood, Vol. 2, Hadith No. 2676, Ibne Hibbaan, Hadith No. 140) The Prophet was asked not to repent if anyone does not believe in Allah (swt) and His message (for that was not his job). Allah (swt) says: "If it had been the Lord's Will they would have believed all who are on earth! Will you then compel mankind against their will to believe!" (Surah Yunus, chapter 10, verse 99) Once during journey, the Prophet (pbuh) was resting under a tree, an enemy of the Prophet took out his sword while the Prophet was sleeping. When he woke up, he found the unsheathed sword in his hand. He challenged the Prophet saying, "Who will save you from me?" The Prophet said thrice, "Allah". The sword fell from his hands. Then the Prophet picked up the sword and asked the same question,"Now who will save you from me?" the man said, "you are better than me (in behavior)",then the Prophet asked him, "Do you testify that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah? He said, "no, but I promise you that I will never fight younor assist those who fight with you," the Prophet did not punish him. Umar (RA) said to a Christian old lady: "O lady, accept Islam and you will be safe, verily Allah (swt) has sent Muhammad (pbuh) with the truth. She said: I am very oldand closer to death, then Umar (RA) said: O Allah(swt), You be the witness and he recited: "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error, whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things" (Tafseer-e-Qurtubi, Vol. 3, Page No. 182) Thus, Islam is strictly against forceful conversion and gives freedomof religion. The History of Islam bears witness that wherever Muslims ruled, non-Muslims had full rights and freedom to follow their respective religions. --- Dr. Zakir Naik- (a known Dawa worker and a scholar of comparative religion) ---
|
