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 One of the fundamental truths established by the sacred
texts is that no one can be compelled to accept Islam. It is the duty of
Muslims to establish the proof of Islam to the people so that truth can be made
clear from falsehood. After that, whoever wishes to accept Islam may do so and
whoever wishes to continue upon unbelief may do so. No one should be
threatened or harmed in any way if he does not wish to accept Islam.
Among the many decisive pieces of evidence in this
regard are the following. God says:
“Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made
clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in God has
grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And God hears and
knows all things.” (Quran 2:256)
God says:
“If it had been your Lord’s will, all of the people on Earth
would have believed. Would you then compel the people so to have them
believe?” (Quran 10:99)
God says:
“So if they dispute with you, say ‘I have submitted my whole
self to God, and so have those who follow me.’ And say to the People of the
Scripture and to the unlearned: ‘Do you also submit yourselves?’ If they do,
then they are on right guidance. But if they turn away, your duty is only to
convey the Message. And in God’s sight are all of His servants.” (Quran 3:20)
God says:
“The Messenger’s duty is but to proclaim the Message.” (Quran
5:99)
It is important to note that these last two verses were
revealed in Medina. This is significant, since it shows that the ruling they
gave was not just contingent on the Muslims being in Mecca in a state of
weakness.
Some people might be wondering that if Islam indeed
advocates such an approach, then what is all this we hear about jihad? How can
we explain the warfare that the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be
upon him, and his Companions waged against the pagans? The answer to this is
that jihad in Islamic Law can be waged for a number of reasons, but compelling
people to accept Islam is simply not one of them. As for conversion, this is to
be done peacefully by disseminating the Message with the written and spoken
word. There is no place for the use of weapons to compel people to accept
Islam.
The Prophet, said in his letter to the Roman governor Heraclius:
“I invite you to accept Islam. If you accept
Islam, you will find safety. If you accept Islam, God will give you a double
reward. However, if you turn away, upon you will be the sin of your subjects.”
(Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
Once people have heard the Message without obstruction
or hindrance and the proof has been established upon them, then the duty of the
Muslims is done. Those who wish to believe are free to do so and those who
prefer to disbelieve are likewise free to do so.
Even when the Muslims are compelled to fight and then,
as a consequence, subdue the land, their duty thereafter is to establish God’s
law in the land and uphold justice for all people, Muslim and non-Muslim. It
is not their right to coerce their subjects to accept Islam against their will.
Non-Muslims under Muslim rule must be allowed to remain on their own faith and
must be allowed to practice the rights of their faith, though they will be
expected to respect the laws of the land.
Had the purpose of jihad been to force the unbelievers
to accept Islam, the Prophet would never have commanded the Muslims to refrain
from hostilities if the enemy relented. He would not have prohibited the
killing of women and children. However, this is exactly what he did.
During a battle, the Prophet saw people gathered
together. He dispatched a man to find out why they were gathered. The man
returned and said: “They are gathered around a slain woman.” So God’s
Messenger, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:
“She should not have been attacked!” Khalid b. al-Walid
was leading the forces, so he dispatched a man to him saying: “Tell Khalid not
to kill women or laborers”. (Sunan Abi Dawud)
Therefore, even in the heat of battle against a hostile
enemy, the only people who may be attacked are those who are actually
participating in the fighting.
Had the purpose of jihad been to force the unbelievers
to accept Islam, the rightly guided Caliphs would not have prohibited the
killing of priests and monks who refrained from fighting. However, this is
exactly what they did. When the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, sent an army to Syria to fight the aggressive Roman legions, he went out to give them words of
encouragement. He said: “You are going to find a group of people who have
devoted themselves to the worship of God (i.e. monks), so leave them to what
they are doing.”
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