QabasLesson 11 of 11
How should Muslims treat people of other faiths?
The short answer
With justice and kindness. The Quran says Allah does not forbid Muslims from being kind and fair to people who have not fought them over their religion or driven them from their homes, and commands justice even towards people one dislikes. Muslims are told to invite others to Islam with wisdom and good words, never by force. The Prophet refused to join the worship of the idolaters, telling them: "for you is your religion, and for me is mine". He also bought food from a Jewish man and left his armour with him as a pledge.
Written by Qabas and checked against Al-Mukhtasar in Interpreting the Noble Quran, Tafsir Ibn Kathir and the HadeethEnc.com explanations.
From the Quran
لَّا يَنۡهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمۡ يُقَٰتِلُوكُمۡ فِي ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمۡ يُخۡرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَٰرِكُمۡ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمۡ وَتُقۡسِطُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِينَ ﴿٨﴾
Allāh does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allāh loves those who act justly.
Explanation of the verses
Allah does not prohibit you from those who have not fought you on account of your Islam, and who have not expelled you from your homes, that you be good and fair to them by giving them any right they have against you. An example of this is how Asma bint Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq behaved with her disbelieving mother when she came to visit her after she had taken permission from the Prophet (peace be upon him) for this and he instructed her to join family ties. Allah loves those who are just to themselves, their families and what they are in charge of.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٰمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوۡمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعۡدِلُواْۚ ٱعۡدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ ﴿٨﴾
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allāh, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allāh; indeed, Allāh is [fully] Aware of what you do.
Explanation of the verses
O you who believe in Allah and His Messenger and follow His laws, uphold Allah’s rights over you, seeking His pleasure. Be witnesses for justice and not for oppression. The hatred for a people should not make you leave justice: justice is a requirement with a friend, as well as with an enemy, so be just with both. Justice is closer to the fear of Allah, and oppression is closer to disrespect against Him. Be mindful of Allah by fulfilling His instructions and avoiding His prohibitions. Allah knows what you do. Nothing of your actions is hidden from Him and He will repay you accordingly.
ٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَٱلۡمَوۡعِظَةِ ٱلۡحَسَنَةِۖ وَجَٰدِلۡهُم بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ ﴿١٢٥﴾
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.
Explanation of the verses
Invite - O Messenger - to the religion of Islam, you and the believers who follow you, in a manner that is appropriate for the condition, understanding and mindset of the person who you are inviting and with admonition that contains encouragement and caution. Argue with them in the manner that is best in terms of speech, thought and politeness, for it is not your duty to guide people. You are only required to convey the message to them. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from the religion of Islam and He knows best those who are rightly guided to it, so do not lose yourself in grief over them.
لَكُمۡ دِينُكُمۡ وَلِيَ دِينِ ﴿٦﴾
For you is your religion, and for me is my religion."
Explanation of the verses
You have your religion you thought up for yourselves, and I have my religion that Allah revealed to me.
From the Sunnah
‘Ā'ishah bint Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bought food from a Jew and pledged him his iron armor.
Explanation
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bought barley to serve as food from a Jew, and pawned his coat of mail that he needed for Jihad with him. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to wear that armor in war to give himself extra protection from the enemy's weapons.
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