FREEDOM OF RELIGION FOR CHRISTIANS AND JEWS
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Although in the Ninth Hijrah year (631 AD) Islam had spread to every nook and corner of Arabia but even then the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not force the Jews or the Christians to enter Islam. Both of these sects were from the people of the Book. The letter that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) wrote to the Pope of Najran - Abul Harith, clearly outlines the contours of Christian religious freedom. Najran was a region in the south of Arabia which joined the borders of Yemen. Majority of the people living there were Christians. Before Islam, the Jew king of Yemen, Zu-Nuwas, had burnt alive the Christians of this region. This incident has been mentioned in Surah Al-Burj of the Holy Quran.
The Prophets letter to the Pope of Najran stated:
The above mentioned letter of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) indicates that the Christians, like the Jews, enjoyed complete freedom in execution of their religious duties. They faced no resistance from the Muslims in this regard. |
In the 9th Hijrah year, a party representing the Christians
of Najran reached Madinah to meet the Prophet (may Allah
bless him and grant him peace). This delegation included the leading people of
Christianity. It included among the notables Pope of Najran - Abul Harith, the Bishop
Abdul Maseih and the leader of the party named Ileahm. When these Christian scholars of
Najran reached Madinah to meet the Prophet (may Allah bless
him and grant him peace), they were clad in their particular spiritual dresses.
The people of Madinah saw their beautiful shiny dresses with surprise. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) rendered
respect to the followers of Christianity. Allah has honoured the Christians: 82. And in verse 86 is given : 86. It is important to mention here that some portions of these verses,
which were revealed in appreciation of Christians were for the humane treatment of the
Muslims by the Christian king of Abyssinia. In the 9th Hijrah year (631 AD), at the instance of Hajj,
the idolaters also offered pilgrimage to Holy Kabah along with the Muslims; but that
year proved the last year of circumambulation for them because after this Allah forbade
their entrance to the limits of Holy Kabah. It has been said in the 9th
Surah, verse 28, as; 28. |