Distinguishing Qualities of Islam | Part 8

[21] The Religion of Islam respects all divine religions in their unadulterated forms and obliges Muslims to believe in them and to love and respect the messengers which brought them. Allah (SWT) says: Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allah and His Messengers saying, ‘We believe in some but reject others,’ and wish to adopt a way in between. Islam forbids a Muslim from insulting others’ beliefs or religion. Allah (SWT) says:

And insult not those whom they (the disbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge. [6:108]

Rather, it commands one to discuss and argue with the disbelievers in a good, wise, and kind manner. Allah (SWT) says:

Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided. [16:125]

It calls a person to pursue purposeful dialogue which would unite people upon the divine methodology. Allah (SWT) says:

Say: O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as gods besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.” [3:64]

  [22] Islam is a Religion of peace in the truest form; whether this is within society, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Shall I tell you who a true believer” is? A person with whom others entrust their money and lives. A Muslim is him whom people are safe from (the evils of) his hands and tongue. A true Mujaahid (fighter in the path of Allah) is he who strives to obey Allah. The Muhaajir (is one who abandons sinful acts.” [Ahmad & Ibn Hibbaan]

…or on the global level, which is based on establishing mutual relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim societies based upon non-aggression,. Allah (SWT) says:

O you who believe! Enter perfectly in Islam, and follow not the footsteps of Satan. Verily! He is to you a clear enemy. [2:208]

Islam orders Muslims to resist aggression and to stop transgression. Allah (SWT) says:

Then whoever transgresses against you, transgress likewise against them. [2:194]

In order to ensure that peace prevails, Islam has ordered Muslims in times of battle to accept an armistice and stop fighting if the enemy asks for such. Allah (SWT) says:

But if they incline to peace, then you also incline to it, and (put your) trust in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. (8:61)

Although Islam is keen on maintaining peace, it does seek it at the cost of Muslim’s honor or their humiliation. On the contrary, it orders Muslims to maintain peace as well as their honor. Allah (SWT) says:

So be not weak and ask not for peace (from the enemies of Islam) while you have the upper hand. Allah is with you and He will never decrease the reward of your good deeds. [47:35]

  [23] There is no compulsion in the religion of Islam, such that people must embrace it. People should only embrace it if they are convinced. Coercion is not a means to spread Islam and its teachings. Allah (SWT) says:

There is no compulsion in Religion. Verily, the Right (Path of) guidance has become distinct from the wrong path. [2:256]

Faith and Guidance are in the Hands of Allah. Allah (SWT) says:

And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together. So will you then compel mankind until they become believers? [10:99]

  [24] From the distinguishing features of Islam is that it allows those who oppose them from the People of the Book to practice their religions. Abu Bakr (RA) said:

“You will pass by some people who have devoted themselves to monasteries. Leave them and that to which they have devoted themselves.” [at-Tabari]

They are also given the freedom to eat and drink what their religions allow them. Their swine are not to be killed nor are their intoxicants to be spilled. In civil affairs such as marriage, divorce, financial dealings, they have the freedom to abide by the legislations of their religions according to the conditions and guidelines Islam has established.   [25] Islam encourages Muslims to emancipate slaves and has promised a great reward for those who do so, and it is a means to Paradise. The Prophet (ﷺ)said:

“Whoever frees a slave, Allah will free each part of the owner’s body] which he frees [of the slaves body] from the Hellfire (meaning his whole body)” [Muslim]

Islam has legalized only one way through which a person may be bound to slavery, which is to be taken captive in times of war. This is allowed with the condition that the leader of the Muslims commands them to do so, for in Islam, prisoners of war are dealt with in specific ways which Allah has commanded. Allah (SWT) says:

So, when you meet those [in war] who disbelieve smite (their) necks, till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly [on them, i.e. take them as captives]. Thereafter [is the time] either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom [according to what benefits Islam], until the war lays down its burden. [47:4]

Despite this, Islam has legislated many ways to free slaves. Emancipating a slave is expiation for certain sins in Islam, such as: Accidental manslaughter. Allah (SWT) says:

It is not for a believer to kill a believer except [that it be] by mistake, and whosoever kills a believer by mistake, [it is ordained that] he must set free a believing slave and a compensation (blood money) be given to the deceased’s family, unless they remit it. If the deceased belonged to a people at war with you and he was a believer; the freeing of a believing slave [is prescribed] and if he belonged to a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance, compensation (blood money) must be paid to his family, and a believing slave must be freed. [4:91]

Breaking an oath. Allah (SWT) says:

Allah will not punish you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will punish you for your deliberate oaths [which you break]; for its expiation (a broken oath) feed ten poor persons, on a scale of the average of that with which you feed your own families; or clothe them; or manumit a slave. [5:89]

Making one’s wife forbidden upon himself. Allah (SWT) says: (And those who make their wives unlawful to them and wish to free themselves from what they uttered, [the penalty] in that case [is] the freeing of a slave before they touch each other. [58:3]

Sexual intercourse while fasting during the month of Ramadan. Abu Hurairah narrated that a man had sexual relation with his wife while he was fasting in Ramadan. When he told the Prophet (ﷺ) he replied:

“Can you free a slave?” He replied “No” He then said, “Can you fast for two consecutive months?” He replied, “No.” Then he said, “Then feed sixty poor people.” [Muslim]

Islam has made it expiation for physically abusing a slave. The Prophet (SWT) said:

“Whoever slaps a slave or hits him, the expiation for that is to free him.” [Muslim]

The religion of Islam keenly seeks to free slaves, as can be seen in the following: Islam orders people to accept a contract of emancipation. This is a contract between the master and his slave in which he is set free in return for an agreed sum of money. Some scholars have stated that it is obligatory upon the request of the slave, citing evidence from the verse:

And such of your slaves as seek a writing (of emancipation) give them such writing, if you know that they are good and trustworthy. And give them something yourselves out of the wealth of Allah which lie has bestowed upon you.[24:33]

Islam has legislated that Zakaah (obligatory charity) be given in order to free slaves. Allah (SWT) says:

Charity (Zakaah) is only for the fuqaraa’, and masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect [the funds]; and to attract the hearts of those who are inclined [towards Islam]; and those [slaves] who wish to free themselves by a contract; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause, and for the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise. [9:60]

  [26] The religion of Islam holds high regards for the status of women and gives her due honor. It has made honoring her a sign of a good, wholesome character. The Prophet(ﷺ) said:

“The believers who have the most complete faith are those who are the best of them in character, and the best of you are the best of you towards their wives.”(at-tirmidhi)

Islam defends her human nature and does not blame her for the expulsion of Adam from Paradise, nor is she considered the source of sin, as so some other religions. Allah (SWT) says:

O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him lie created his wife (Eve), and from them both Ile created many men and women. And fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual [rights] and [do not cut the relations of] the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever a Watcher over you. [4:1]

Islam falsified the oppressive notions held against women, especially those which regard women as a being inferior to men; which, in turn leads them to being deprived of many of their basic human rights. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said:

“Verily women are the twin halves of men.”[Abu Dawood)

Islam has protected her honor and chastity; a castigatory punishment would be served in the right of those who falsely accuse them of fornication. Allah (SWT) says:

And those who accuse chaste women, and produce not four witnesses, flog them with eighty lashes, and reject their testimony forever; they indeed are disobedient to Allah. [24:4]

Like men, Islam guarantees women their right to inheritance, a rights they were deprived of prior to Islam. Allah (SWT) says:

There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest related, whether, the property be small or large – a legal share. [4:7]

Islam gives women the right to do as they please with their wealth, such as buying and selling in accordance to specific guidelines set in Shari’ah . Allah (SWT) says:

O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have earned. [2:267]

Islam has made it an obligation that they be educated. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Seeking knowledge is obligatory on all Muslims.”[Ibn Maajah)

It has also made it an obligation that they receive good upbringing and are raised properly; this is a cause by which one would enter Paradise. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever has three daughters whom he shelters, takes care of, and is merciful to, certainly enters Paradise.’ A man then said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, how about two?’ He said, ‘even two.” [al-Adab al-Mufrad]