Page 40 - Justice and Compassion in the Qur'an

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JUSTICE AND COMPASSION IN THE QUR'AN

When Muslims were subjected to cruelty by pagans in Mecca,
the Prophet Muhammad (saas) told them to migrate to
Ethiopia, a place where Christians lived at that time. King
Negus, the Christian ruler of that country, accepted the
migrant Muslims and protected them against oppression.
In the Qur'an Allah also gives the example of Jesus’
disciples to other believers for their loyalty to Allah and His
Messenger (saas). There are also striking similarities between

the first Muslims and the first Christians. The communities
who first believed in Allah always remained faithful to Allah‘s
messengers, despite being subjected to difficulty and torture.
In the Qur'an, Allah relates that the first Christians in the time
of the Prophet Jesus (as) were sincere Muslims who
surrendered themselves to Allah:
When Isa' sensed disbelief on their part, he said, "Who
will be my helpers to Allah?" The disciples said, "We are
Allah‘s helpers. We believe in Allah. Bear witness that we
are Muslims." (Surah Al ‘Imran, 52)

And when I inspired the Disciples to believe in Me and in
My Messenger, they said, "We believe. Bear witness that
we are Muslims." (Surat al-Ma'ida, 111)

The compassionate attitude adopted by the Prophet
Muhammad (saas) towards Jewish communities also sets a
good example for all believers. During the period of the
Constitution of Medina, the Prophet Muhammad (saas)
treated Jews kindly and compassionately. He encouraged that
there be co-operation, counselling and goodness between
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Muslims and Jews. Indeed, this was put into practice in daily
life. This just and compassionate attitude of the Prophet (saas)
surely applied to all people from all religions and races.