It does not mean Muslims can take up arms against non-believers today, nor does it aim to paint those who do not subscribe to the message of the Quran as enemies of Islam. If somebody made it difficult for the followers of Muhammad to exercise their religious freedom, they were dubbed a non-believer or a polytheist. Quran, 18:29, for example, declares that a person should not be forced to accept the message of Islam: "And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." Religions such as Judaism and Islam … And he who takes away anything therefrom, will be one who has corrupted the oath of God, and, in truth, disobeyed His Messenger.". A parody religion or mock religion is a belief system that challenges the spiritual convictions of others, often through humor, satire, or burlesque. However, we would be remiss if we did not touch upon it briefly in this article. PS: The Quran does not insult other religions nor force people to convert. In other words, intending to say such words without intending to revile; rather the speaker is joking and is not serious. Were he incorrect, one can assume he would have been warned by Allah. Christianity and Islam are the two biggest religions in the world at the moment, with both teetering around the 2 billion followers mark. " And, do not cloak (and confuse) the truth with falsehood. Now, we will concede that telling your followers to kill the non-believers or the polytheists isn't much better than telling your followers to kill the infidels. Let's begin by taking a look at the verse itself. Whenever Christian monks, devotees and pilgrims gather together, whether in a mountain or valley, or den, or frequented place, or plain, or church, or in houses of worship, verily we are [at the] back of them and shall protect them, and their properties and their morals, by Myself, by My Friends and by My Assistants, for they are of My Subjects and under My Protection. More than any other religion, Islam puts a great deal of emphasis on the importance of religious freedom. Name two articles of faith in Sunni Islam. It is a heavy accusation to throw around and those who do so tend to cite passages of the Quran which criticize Jews to support their argument. As merciful as this decree was, Allah also exhibited great wisdom. However, it is important to remember that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad during a time of great tribulation. However, it speaks volumes about Muhammad's dedication to preserving Christianity even as his own religion gained a mammoth following. Origins of poisoning of the Western mind against I... Afghanistan plans Taliban-style dress code for wed... 'Burqa ban' in France: housewife vows to face jail... HADITH OF THE DAY: REPENTANCE WIPES AWAY SINS. Contemporary Islamic scholars generally agree that Quran, 9:5 refers specifically to the obstacles faced by Muslims at the time of its revelation. She told him that she had once again been subjected to taunts by his other wives owing to her Jewish heritage. Some were of the belief that she should be treated as a slave girl rather than as the wife of their leader, owing to her Jewish origins. For the sake of this article, however, let us also remind those who might suggest Muhammad held some sort of disdain for the Jews that the Prophet himself was actually married to a Jewish woman. This tradition began with Muhammad, as recorded in the Hadith and by his biographers. This advice given to Safiyaa by Muhammad is important as it places her on equal ground with the rest of Muhammad's wives, who at their weakest moments considered themselves superior to her. Although it is much too long for us to quote include in its entirety, some key portions of the letter read as follows: "This letter contains the oath given unto them [the monks of St. Catherine's Monastery], and he who disobeys that which is therein will be considered a disbeliever and a transgressor to that whereunto he is commanded. A killing in Gaza that also carries a warning to I... God has forbidden the believers from backbiting. There is also a Quranic basis for it. While there is evidence to suggest Muhammad's other wives felt threatened by Safiyya's beauty, their focus in their bullying was her Jewish heritage. Why? Surely, you might be thinking, Quran, 5:82's labeling of the Jews as aggressors is evidence to the contrary? The first level is saying words, intending thereby to revile Islam in a deliberate action, as the enemies of Islam do when they revile Islam. Except it doesn't. And this is what Islam teaches us. This is owing to how dedicated the Jewish people of these periods were to their traditions. Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih, as well as some other scholars of tafsir, referred to this chapter with the title, "Woe to every slanderer and backbiter" - the first ayat. Quran 2:256 There shall be no compulsion in religion. The other claim of Zainab Sikander Siddiqui, that Charlie Hebdo does not mock Jews, Chirstians or the LGBTQ is completely wrong, and she spread a lie by claiming that the French satirical magazine publishes cartoons only on Islam. It reads as follows: "And [recall] when We took your covenant, [O Children of Israel, to abide by the Torah] and We raised over you the mount, [saying], "Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that perhaps you may become righteous.". Like many religions, Islam prescribes a set of dietary guidelines for its believers to follow: In general, Islamic dietary law distinguishes between food and drink that are allowed and those that are prohibited (haram).). In Surah Al-Baqarah, for example, we are told in no uncertain terms: "Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabeans [before Prophet Muhammad] - those [among them] who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness - will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.". Often constructed to achieve a specific purpose related to another belief system, a parody religion can be a parody of several religions, sects, gurus, cults, or new religious movements at the same time, or even a parody of no particular religion – instead parodying the concept of religious belief itself. Adherents of Islam have historically referred to themselves, Jews, and Christians (among others) as People of the Book since they all base their religion on books that are considered to have a divine origin. Because you people don't realize how you guys mock Christianity and other religions. In search of the spirit of Al-Andalus - video. The Qur'an states that there must be "no compulsion in religion." Then a portion of the Children of Israel believed, and a portion disbelieved. As for Christians, Quran, 5:82 praises them for the kindness and love they were showing towards Muslims at the time of its revelation. Contrary to the belief of most anti-Islamic writers, Islam holds no ill-will towards other religions. This is largely owing to the immense persecution Muhammad and his followers faced in the early days of Islam. Found in Surah At-Tawbah, the controversial verse reads as follows: "And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the infidels wherever you find them and capture them and beside them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. While it is true that there are verses in the Quran which criticize Jews, it is important to remember that there is a major difference between criticizing a group of people and condemning that group of people. The right of non-Muslims to be protected against outside aggression in return for paying jizya., Poor and needy non-Muslims have the right to social security under Islamic Law. Just like Allah states: “Do not kill yourself.” He declared that his followers should view her as the Mother of Believers, a title held by each of his wives. He did not wish to see any Christian treated poorly - monk or otherwise - and made sure his followers were aware of this fact. In fact, to disrespect another religion is explicitly condemned in the Quran; “Do not abuse those whom they worship besides Allah” (6:109). Clear as day, it tells Muslims to "kill the infidels wherever you find them". It is even said that Muhammad took to visiting the Monastery to break bread with its inhabitants and engage in respectful theological discourse. The countries that deny asylum to recent Syrian refugees on the grounds that they are Muslim are confusing race with religion. Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, St. Catherine's Monastery is the oldest monastery in the world. Contrary to the belief of most anti-Islamic writers, Islam holds no ill-will towards other religions. Similar criticisms appear in the Hebrew Bible as well and serve to remind the Jews of the shortcomings of their ancestors. [Surah 2:256] Yet Muslims are not pluralistic in their worldview - they consider their religion to the be the true religion and invite people of all races, nationalities and religions to be part of it. Quran 49:11 O you who believe, no people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. I won't do it on this subreddit, because I respect the parameters of the debate. Muhammad's promise to protect St. Catherine's Monastery, its monks, and the Christians in the area remained intact throughout his life and even after his death. So whoever will see does so for [the benefit of] his soul, and whoever is blind [does harm] against it. It also has significant value to us in the modern world. Now, any argument suggesting anti-Semitism on the part of Muhammad could be derailed by simply pointing out how absurd it is to suggest a prophet of Allah harbored and maintained anti-Semitic views even when being told directly from Allah that the Jews are as legitimate as the Muslims. If anybody was in a position to protect St. Catherine's from Jewish forces, idolatars, and even misguided Muslims, it was Muhammad. And the Messenger's duty is only to deliver (the message) plainly.". In the early days of her marriage to Muhammad, many of the Prophet's followers were unsure how they should treat her. As such, Muslims and Jews share a common ancestry and must be mindful of this when interacting with each other. Muhammad rejected the idea that Safiyya should be viewed as anything other than his wife. Do not mock, backbit or lie about others. Throughout his prophethood, Muhammad went to great lengths to ensure cordial relations between his own followers and the Christians. But elsewhere, where I am not voluntarily bound by such parameters, I will occasionally mock Islam. We just spent a couple of hundred words citing examples of Islam's love for Judaism and its adherents. Rather than denoting whether or not a person accepted the message of the Quran, they were used to describe how a person reacted to those who did. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.. Mockery of the religion that is considered Kufr (disbelief) is the one that is intended to mock the religion.If one did not intend to mock the religion, then this is not considered Kufr. Of course, none of our readers can claim that Muhammad is their husband - or, at least, not the prophet Muhammad - but we can all claim to be descendants of Aaron and Moses. The Qur'an bears witness to a history of prophetic revelations that have come to humanity, bringing essentially the same truth: the beneficence of God. Any Muslim who mock Jesus or any other prophet has broken the covenant of God and any Muslim whom for any reason do mock any prophet has denounce Islam directly or indirectly. Said the disciples, 'We are God's helpers!' Both books also recognize the right of believing Jews to enter Paradise, just as they recognize the same right of Muslims. He will be regarded as one who has corrupted the oath of God, disbelieved His Testament, rejected His Authority, despised His Religion, and made himself deserving of His Curse, whether he is a Sultan or any other believer of Islam. That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.". They must not give anything of their income but that which pleases them—they must not be offended, or disturbed, or coerced or compelled. What Does the Quran Say About Other Religions. Its immense library is home to the second-largest collection of Christian manuscripts in the world, with only the Vatican Library besting it. Additionally, they should keep Muslims mindful of how horrible it can be to be prohibited from practicing your religious beliefs so they don't force a similar faith on another group of people. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This brings to mind a famous story within Islam concerning an encounter Muhammad had with a hermit monk during his early years as a caravan trader. In the 30th Surah of the Quran, ar-Rum, Allah (SwT) tells us that: This event both increased the young Muhammad's thirst for spiritual fulfillment while also cementing the Christians as his friends and supporters. It reads: "O you who believe! The letter itself is regularly referenced by Muslim leaders in order to remind Muslims the world over of their obligation to respect and defend Christians, just as they must respect and defend the followers of any other religion from threat to their religious freedom. Christianity boasts the larger following of the two, but Islam is projected to become the largest religion in the world by the end of the century. The 104th chapter of the Qur'an is called Humaza as well as in most of the books of tafsir. This article discusses some of the foundations the Prophet Muhammad himself laid in dealing with people of other faiths, with a practical examples from his lifetime. Of all the distortions and misconceptions about Islam one of the most important to dispel is the idea that Islam claims to be the one true religion and rejects the truth of other religions. Muslims are ordered to protect Jews and Christians (the People of the Book) and do no harm to them. Quran, 9:5 was revealed to Muhammad after he had successfully lead a Muslim takeover of Mecca several years after the exile of his followers. Islam is closely connected to the two other Abrahamic religions, Judaism and Christianity. These passages condoning violence when necessary remain in the Quran today, but should not be viewed as a commandment to attack those who do not prescribe to Islamic beliefs. He warned Muhammad that any polytheist who left Mecca and returned later would not be returning to embrace the message of the Quran. Another notable example can be found in Surah As-Saf. The passages of the Quran which are critical of the Jewish people chastise them for their shortcomings in the past, such as their failure to keep the covenants or their return to idol worship during the absence of Moses. They were a small number of aggressors concerned with preserving their own power and any suspicions Muhammad had towards them should not translate into suspicions towards Judaism today. He similarly rejected the idea that Safiyya was simply trying to gain dirt on him. I don't think all religions should be mocked, but some should be. And if you obey him, you go aright. She was subjected to cruel taunts for the religious beliefs of her ancestors. (The Noble Quran, 2:42)" " O ye who believe! On some occasions, this went beyond merely maintaining a civil relationship and became a matter of friendship, loyalty, and respect. The implication of this verse is that if it is not permitted for Muslims to slander false idols, it certainly cannot be permissible for Muslims to defile other sects within Islam or other religions. Displaying the wisdom which had made him so famous even before his prophethood, Muhammad instructed his wife to respond to any similar events in the future with the words: "Aaron is my father, Moses is my uncle, and Muhammad is my husband!". "Non-believers" and "polytheists" were words used as blanket terms to describe the persecutors of the Muslims. By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://studioarabiya.com/. Likewise, they do not even consider the teachings of Islam nor do they consider Muhammad (PBUH) as a prophet (Robinson, 2016). Main characteristics of Islam that distinguish it from other religions are as follows: 1- Islam addresses all centuries and all people; its principles meet all needs of humanity. Quran, 5:82 is one of many Quranic verses to praise Christians. In one particularly well-known story, we are told that Safiyya came to Muhammad in a state of distress. Not only has Allah (SwT) commanded the believers not to make fun of one another and not to mock or ridicule others, but they are also supposed to protect the honour and integrity of one another. I don't understand. Similarly, it is home to countless priceless Christian artifacts and has been since it was first established all the way back in 548. In the year 628, the monks of St. Catherine's Monastery were so fearful for their relics that they decided to seek earthly security rather than relying on the power of God alone. In the following verse, the Quran praises the Torah as a work of divine scripture, affirming Jewish beliefs in the process. Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. Why can we mock all religions expect Islam? Because of this, a lot of people hold the belief that Islam and Christianity are natural enemies. Looked at without any background, the above text is certainly pretty damning. In some ways, this could be seen as being in stark contrast to many modern-day Christian churches, which propagate the belief that Muslims are attempting to wipe out Christianity and bring Sharia law to the West. Much as he defended her in the face of criticism from his followers, Muhammad defended Safiyya in the face of criticism from his wives. Under Sharia, those who insult Muhammad or Allah are to be executed. Their judges should not be changed or prevented from accomplishing their offices, nor the monks disturbed in exercising their religious order, or the people of seclusion be stopped from dwelling in their cells. The use of the word "infidels" in the above Quranic extract is the result of a mistranslation. The Truth: But I'm not into making fun of other religions. 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