Page 64 - Justice and Compassion in the Qur'an

62
JUSTICE AND COMPASSION IN THE QUR'AN

Muslims of Bilecik. Osman Ghazi's administration proved to be so
fair that even non-Muslim women could come and shop in the
bazaar in safety. Under the administration of Osman Ghazi, the
non-Muslim community felt safe. When Osman Ghazi was asked
the reason for his extreme sensitivity in doing justice to the non-
Muslims of Bilecik, he answered: "They are our neighbours. When
we first came to this land, they welcomed us. What becomes us now
is to respect them." 30
This virtuous conduct of Osman Ghazi is simply a
manifestation of Allah‘s command:

Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him.
Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans and
the very poor, and to neighbours who are related to you
and neighbours who are not related to you, and to
companions and travellers and your slaves. Allah does not
love anyone vain or boastful. (Surat an-Nisa', 36)

This behaviour in compliance with the Qur'anic
injunctions caused many people to be reconciled to Islam.
After the conquests of Yarhisar, Inegol, Bilecik, Yenisehir
(towns in Anatolia) and their surroundings, Osman Ghazi
treated the native non-Muslims with justice and compassion,
and did not confiscate their lands. Indeed, Ottoman rule
promoted public welfare and made these lands better places
to live in a very short time. Furthermore, these safe lands even
attracted other non-Muslim communities, which came and
settled in the Ottoman lands. If Osman Ghazi had not
31
ensured the establishment of that just, compassionate and
secure environment which Islam demands, non-Muslims
whose lands were conquered by Muslims might well have
adopted a hostile manner. However, being a person of faith,