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Few years ago, a group of people emerged claiming that Islam commands for the mistreatment of people of the scripture. They backed their claim by bringing up sayings of the Messenger blessing and peace be upon him ordering Muslims to clamp on and narrow the road in their way, refrain from initiating greeting (saying salam), and not even return back the salam. Even a number of well educated Muslims believe as such. However, this claim is totally negated in Quran as well as Sunnah, Ahadeeth of the Messenger blessing and peace be upon him as well as the companions.
According to Quran:
1. "Made lawful to you this day are the good foods. The food of the People of the Scripture is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them. (Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture before your time, when you have given their due bridal money, desiring chastity, not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking them as girl-friends. And whosoever denies faith, then fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers." (Quran 5:5)
By virtue of the above noble Ayah, making the food of people of the scripture lawful implies conducting trade transactions, accepting their food invitation, and offering food invitation. Based on the same rule, Islam allows marriage between Muslim men and women from people of the scripture. Not only this, but also secured her equal conditions as those set for marriage with Muslim women. Those conditions include that they must be chaste, receive Mahr (dowry), the man must intend for continual marriage, and not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking them as girl-friends. It is a known fact that marriage is deemed the highest form of social relations, having said that, how would Islam allow inter-faith marriages (between a Muslim man and women of scripture) then command for the humiliation of the woman's family?
2. "And argue not with the People of the Scripture, unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong, and say (to them): "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Ilah (God) and your Ilah (God) is One (i.e. Allah), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims)." (Quran 29:46)
The way that is best is interpreted as the highest levels of goodness and kindness according to the Arabic language. The levels of goodness include Hassan= good, ahsan=better and al ahsasan=best and then comes the one that is best=allati hya ahassan that translates as the highest degree. When Allah Sets an exception saying "except those among them who do wrong", this either means those who exceeded the limits of manner during a dialogue such as insulted the Messenger of Islam or Islam using an inappropriate form of speech. Or it could be taken also as the category that fights Islam and Muslims. This makes it clear that each group is assigned for what they deserve in terms of type of treatment. This command, coming from Allah, to argue with the people of scripture using the best is contrary to setting a rule of mistreating them even if they were peaceful and not in war with Muslims.
3. " Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly (tabruhum wa tuqsetou) with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.* It is only as regards those who fought against you on account of religion, and have driven you out of your homes, and helped to drive you out, that Allah forbids you to befriend them. And whosoever will befriend them, then such are the wrong-doers." (Quran 60:8-9)
Originally, Islam is a religion of peace, a love oriented jurisprudence, a system targeting to cover and establish its methodology universally. Islam aims to gather people under its banner as loving brothers and sisters who are known to each other. Nothing would obstruct the achievement of this aim unless in case of aggression launched against Islam and Muslims. In case people of the scripture maintained a peaceful attitude towards Muslims, Islam is no need to express hostility. Even in case of disputes, the door remains open to restore cordial feelings, how? through embracing proper behaviour and equal treatment hoping that rivals of Islam-one day-will see all the good in joining the fold of Islam and live under its banner (Tafseer Sheikh Sharawy).
"Perhaps Allah will make friendship between you and those whom you hold as enemies. And Allah has power (over all things), and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran 60:7)
Islam never despairs that one day souls will turn towards the right direction as a result to this straight trend. Actually, we have many experiences in stories of people who reverted to Islam as a result to kind treatment, that stand as evidence to this.
The international Islamic legislation (Shari`a) establishes the peaceful status with other people collectively as the fixed and original status. It only changes in response to a military attack that consequently creates a necessity of deterrence, a concern of a potential breaching of a treaty, using force to suppress freedom of practicing Dawa (call to Islam), or freedom of faith. Except for the previously mentioned situations that create a need for using force, the normal conditions are peace, cordial treatment, Bir, and justice for all.
"It is only as regards those who fought against you on account of religion, and have driven you out of your homes, and helped to drive you out, that Allah forbids you to befriend them. And whosoever will befriend them, then such are the wrong-doers." (Quran 60:9)
"If you (O Muhammad) fear treachery from any people throw back (their covenant) to them (so as to be) on equal terms (that there will be no more covenant between you and them). Certainly Allah likes not the treacherous." (Quran 8:58)
Those two noble Ayahs establish the rules of treating non Muslims in cases of fight, aggression, betrayal..etc as explained in the above text.
To further explain, the underlined part shows how the Muslim nation will act in cases of breaching treaties. In such situations, Muslims must mutually break the treaty in order to be on equal terms. However, a notification to the other party must be made lest they accuse the Muslim party of deception.
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