Let There Be No Compulsion in Religion
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.
Allah says in the Noble Quran (translated as):
“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)
“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)
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 Allah is All-Seer of (His) slaves.” (Quran 3:20)
“The Messenger’s duty is but to proclaim the Message.” (Quran 5:99)
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. Conversion 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. 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.
During a battle the Prophet , may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, prohibited the killing of women and children. Khalid ibn 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).
When the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, sent an army to Syria to fight the aggressive Roman legions, the Prophet , may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, 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.” The only people who may be attacked are those who are actually participating in the fighting.
Related Books
-
The Pillars of Faith
Faith means to believe in Allāh, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and the divine Decree, both the good and bad thereof. ...
Edition: 1
-
Islam is
We present Islam as it is, without sugarcoating and we allow it to stand on its own merits. There is only one Islam and only one example of how it ...
Edition: 1
-
Fiqh Essentials
We hope that instead of being overwhelmed by his new and blessed way of life, the Muslim beginner will find this an easy guide that can best be sup...
Edition: 1
-
The Path to Prayer
It is to be noted as well that in Islam the establishment of regular prayer(iqamatus-salah) is emphasized. the Quran dose not tell us, “Pray&...
Edition: 1
-
Why I Choose Islam?
O seeker of truth, if you really seek the truth put aside all preconceived notions, and open your heart. Do not let others judge or make a decision...
Edition: 1
-
The Global Messenger
This book introduces Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him), the Prophet of Islam, with a glimpse of his life, character, accomplishments and t...
Edition: 1
-
STATUS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM
The status of women in society is neither a new issue nor is it a fully settled one. The position of Islam on this issue has been among the ...
Edition: 1
-
THE QURAN (English Translation)
The Qur’an is the literal word of God, The Almighty (Allah in Arabic), revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Angel Gabriel...
Edition: 1
-
THE QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE
This booklet by Maurice Bucaille has been in circulation for the past nineteen years and has been a very effective tool in presenting Islam to non-...
Edition: 1
-
Muslim Christian Dialogue
This booklet contains dialogues that the author had made with members of the Christian clergy and laity. The discussions were polite, pleasant, fri...
Edition: 1
-
JUST ONE MESSAGE!
Just One Message is a book to those who seek the truth sincerely, honestly, and open-mindedly. After the creation of Adam, just one original messag...
Edition: 1
-
Clear Your Doubts About Islam
Information is a source of assurance and a bridge to tolerance and understanding. This book provides concise yet comprehensive answers to questions...
Edition: 1
-
A BRIEF ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING ISLAM
This Islamic guide is for non-Muslims who would like to understand Islam, Muslims (Moslems), and the Holy Quran (Koran). It is rich in information,...
Edition: 1
-
The Amazing Qur’an
What’s amazing about the Quran? One would expect that Muslims consider it so, but surprisingly, others even some opponents of Islam, have a...
Edition: 1
Related Articles
-
Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
QUARANTINE is a Prophetic ﷺ advice.* “Run away from the leper (the one with contagious ailment) as you would run away from a lion.” (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 608) SOCIAL DI...
-
My Hijab is My Freedom!
Hijab, or head piece…or head cover. Or scarf, or headscarf- they all pretty much refer to the same thing: the head covering of a Muslim woman. The word is originally Arabic, and is literally defined as “Cover” or “veil”.
-
Who deserves to be Worshipped Alone?
Many people “discontent with God” because of the practices of the Church in medieval Europe and because of the claims of “god dwelling in a son”, and that “everyone is born with an original sin”. They “escaped” into worshipping a n...
-
The True God is Allah.
The True God is Allah, And Man is in Need of Him. There are those who do not believe in Allaah as the Only True God and there are those who believe that there is a Creator. Those who believe that there is a Creator believes that th...
-
THE CREATION IS IN NEED OF ALLAH
Man always looks for what benefits him and what protects him from harm. To accomplish this, man must be able to realise what is harmful. He must then know whom he should need, trust, and love so that he can attain what is beneficial as well as to ...
-
PURPOSE OF LIFE
What Does Islam Say About Our Life’s Purpose? Have you ever asked yourself following questions?
-
You’re Not Catholic? Why?
Questions from a “Catholic”? I am Jonabeth from Philippines, I am a roman catholic. I have some questions and I hope u can help me to open my mind: Is it true that Jesus was crucified? Is it true...
-
The Quran on Human Embryonic Development
In the Holy Quran, God speaks about the stages of man’s embryonic development in such minute detail, much of which was unknown to scientists until only recently. It mentions the first stages of life after conception, the second stage of life...
-
Let There Be No Compulsion in Religion
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, w...
-
How Do We Know God is One?
A Philosophical & Theological Perspective – The oneness of God, in Arabic tawhid, is a central theme in the Qur’an and a message of all of the Prophets, the Qur’an eloquently ...
-
Denying God, Denying Reality
Self-Evident Truths Does God exist? If God exists, what evidence is there to support this belief? I believe we have many good arguments which support a belief in God. We don’t require any evidence for His existence....
-
Scientific Miracles in Brief
Why Islam is the true religion of God. Most religions are based on books claimed by their followers to be divinely inspired, without any proof. Islam is based upon reason and proof. There are clear signs that the book of Islam, the Quran,...
-
The Challenge of the Quran
The Quranic challenge to produce a work similar to it, and the inability of its contemporaries to meet it. The Quran is not only unique in the way in which it presents its subject matter, but it is also unique in t...
-
Islam & Christianity
The Bible Christianity, which claims to have nearly 1.2 billion adherents all over the world, is a Semitic religion. It owes its name to Jesus Christ (peace be on him) and the Holy Bible is the sacred scripture of the Ch...
-
Islam & Buddhism
Historical criticism has proved that the original teachings of Buddha can never be known. It seems that Gautama Buddha’s teachings were memorized by his disciples. After Buddha’s death a council was held at Rajagaha so that the ...
-
Islam & Atheism
God Existence – Atheists might assert that they don’t acknowledge the existence of God. Undeniably there are times — whether during the agonising days of a lingering illness, the seemingly eternal moments of a v...
