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Prophet’s Relations With Non-Muslims

When the Holy Prophet (SAW) migrated to Madina, one of the first things he did was to
strike an agreement with the Jewish tribes of Madina who were given complete freedom
of religion and equal rights with Muslims as citizens of the Islamic State of Madina. The
basic guidelines which were laid by the Prophet in the early stage in Madinah where he
established a city-state formed a blue print of how Muslims should deal with Christians
and Jews among many other adherents to different religions. Prophet (SAW) made a
constitution for the citizens of Madina (Charter of Madina), including non-Muslims,
about their rights and responsibilities as part of the community. Non-Muslims had the
following rights: equal political and cultural rights, autonomy and freedom of religion.
They would fight with the Muslims against the enemy of the community and have the
same responsibilities in war as others.

By the virtue of this charter, preventive measures were in place to avoid bloodshed and
crimes among different Arabian tribes composed of all creeds. Prophet Muhammad made
a historical move of abolishing religious and social inequality. Muslims were prohibited
under severe penalties from violating and abusing the provisions of the Charter. The
Prophet (SAW) engaged in commercial dealings with them and gave and received help
from them. He sometimes borrowed money from Jews and also arranged for loans from
them for some of his companions. One day a Jew caught hold of the cloth the Prophet
(SAW) was wearing and demanded that he repay the loan he had taken from him. Umar
got angry with the Jew and scolded him. The Prophet (SAW) then ordered that the loan
be repaid to the Jew, and because Umar had scolded him the Prophet (SAW) insisted that
he be given more money than what he had actually been owed. Not everyone was happy
with the Prophet’s (SAW) leadership of Madina and individuals from among the non-
Muslim clans plotted to take the Prophet’s (SAW) life. Two of the tribes – the Banu
Nadir and the Banu Qaynuqa - were eventually exiled for breaking the treaty and for the
consequent danger they posed to the new Muslim community. The Banu Qurayza also
broke their treaty by siding with the Quraysh at the Battle of the Trench. They were dealt
with in accordance to their own laws, which meant that many of them were put to death.

Prophet Muhammad was adamant to ensure religious freedom to non-Muslims across the
Islamic state and for this reason he sent instructions to distant Muslims governors not to
tax them unfairly or enforce them to abandon their faith. Their churches and sanctuaries
could not be pulled down and replaced by mosques or houses for Muslims. Prophet

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(SAW) also sent letters to the neighbouring kings & emperors in 7 A.H and invited them
to Islam with reasoning and wisdom. Moreover, Muslims were asked to cooperate with
Christians should they need an assistance for the repair of their churches or monasteries
or any other matter related to their religion. When the Christians of Abyssinia and Najran
visited Madina, they were accommodated in the Masjid-e-Nabwi and the Holy Prophet
(SAW) himself acted as their host. The Christians of Yemen, Najran and other tribes
were given charter of liberty by the Holy Prophet (SAW), guaranteeing them to practice
their religion according to their own customs and traditions.

The Prophet (pbuh) warned Muslims that “anyone who kills a non-Muslim citizen will
not smell the fragrance of paradise” (Nasai). This indicates his high regard for
Christians and Jews whom the Quran entitled “Ahlul-Kitab” (People of the Book)
repeatedly and in clear words. This is precisely why the Prophet (pbuh) strongly
admonished his followers about the mistreatment with them: He said: “He who wrongs a
Jew or a Christian will have myself as his accuser on the Day of Judgment”
(Bukhari). Speaking generally about all non-Muslims living in an Islamic country, the
Prophet said: “He who hurts a Dhimmi (non-Muslim citizen of an Islamic state) hurts
me, and he who hurts me annoys Allah.” The pinnacle of religious tolerance and
clemency was provided by the Prophet upon his victorious entry to Makkah after long
years of suffering and persecution by the non- Muslim Makkans. The long years of bitter,
cruel and sustained persecution, all the fighting, the hardship and suffering and the loss of
a lot of dear and devoted companions; all these were laid aside at the moment of triumph,
banished from mind and forgiven in the name of the Lord.

SIR NADEEM 0313-3001870