Page 25 - MFP 2017

The message of the Holy Qur’an and the actions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) are one and the same, just as the Qur’an teaches tolerance of diverse faiths in Chapter 2, verse 256: “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of ] the religion. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) of Islam as well advocated for religious freedom for all people as far back as 1400 years ago.
In fact, in the year 4 AH (625 CE)., written in the handwriting of Imam ‘Ali, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) signed the Treaty of Sinai with the Christians of Sinai Land promoting religious freedom that read: I (Prophet Muhammad) promise that I will not change their priests and monks nor do I expel them from their worshipping places. I do not prohibit their pilgrims from
came in and began to urinate in a corner of the Mosque. The Companions angrily shouted at the man to stop, but the Prophet (pbuh) immediately intervened and said, “Leave the man alone and allow him to nish.”Then he ordered that a bucket of water be emptied there and cleaned up. He called the Bedouin and explained that he was in a Mosque and that it would not be right to de le it, but rather it was a place for the remembrance of God.
With a pleasant and kind demeanor, he demonstrated tolerance.
Subsequently, Islam’s beliefs and teachings are not distant from other monotheistic faiths and as such should be similarly honored. The Holy Qur’an a rms this solidarity that exists with other religions in the following verse:
JUSTICE, BROTHERHOOD, UNITY AND MUTUAL RESPECT
their travel, nor do I destroy their churches. I do not convert any churches to mosques and whichever Muslim does so has violated God’s covenant...Muslims should not force them to anything. They must be kind to them and respect them all... Should their churches require any repair. Muslims should help them as much as they can and they should allow Christians practice their rituals...”
The kindness and dutifulness that was allotted to other faiths by Islam is a lesson to be learnt by many in today’s world.
But ironically, the Muslims have now become the target of alarming intolerance. Blatant discrimination that is meted out to groups of people based on their religious a liation
is inhumane whether it be from the Jewish Holocaust or
to the travel ban posed earlier this year upon individuals entering the United States who come from any of the seven majority Muslims countries, which has now been overturned. The initial reasoning behind the travel ban was the fear of terrorism. However, illogically an entire
group of people had been condemned due
to the past actions of a minute few who
do not even ascribe to the beliefs of the
majority mainstream Muslims. There have
always been people in all groups that stray
and commit wrong but the entire group
must never be ostracized.
Tolerance of each other’s di erences
is necessary. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) exhibited extreme forbearance when even faced with challenges posed by others.
Once while the Prophet (pbuh) was sitting in a masjid with his Companions, a Bedouin
FATIMA KERMALLI
“We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our God and your God is One, and to Him we have submitted.” (29:46)
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) of Islam worked and lived with
the People of the Book, the Jews and Christians and did
not accept any wrongdoing towards any individual by any Muslim or non-Muslim as he forewarned, “Whosoever does injustice to a protected non- Muslim, then I will be his enemy (on the Day of Judgement),”
Justice, brotherhood, unity, and mutual respect regardless of race or creed are some of the lessons that the Messenger of God taught centuries ago and continues to be applicable even today.
MFP holds Holiday party for at-risk children 25