subject: Islam: Relations with non-Muslims: People of the Book, Jews and Christians [print this page] Islam: Relations with non-Muslims: People of the Book: Christians and Jews
In no way Muslims are to force anyone to believe or to become Muslim. Men are free to do what they want and they are held to account for their deeds only by God:
Therefore give admonition, for you are (the messenger) one to admonish. You are not one to have control over them. And if any turn away and reject God, God shall punish him with the greatest punishment, for to Us shall be their return; then it shall be for Us to call them to account.' 88: 21-26
The attitudes of Muslims towards non-Muslims can be observed on three different levels defined with precision in the Qur'an. The difference between these levels is decided by the attitude of non-Muslims toward Muslims. These three levels can be classified in the following manner:
A. Friendly attitude
B. Neutral attitude
C. Hostile attitude
Friendly attitude: example of the first category of attitude is ascribed in the Qur'anic text to the Christians:
And nearest among men in love to the believers will you find those who say, "We are Christians": for amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are arrogant not (to belief).
And when they listen to the revelation received by the messenger, you will see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: they pray: "Our Lord, we believe, write us down among the witnesses.
What cause can we have not to believe in God and the truth which has come to us, seeing that we long for our Lord to admit us to the company of the righteous?" And for this their prayer has God rewarded them with Gardens, with rivers flowing underneath- their eternal home. S
uch is the recompense of those who do good.' 5: 85-88
The attitude of Muslims in the Qur'an towards the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) is prescribed in the following manner:
And do not argue with the People of the Book except with the best means, unless it be with those of them who transgress: But say: "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in which came down to you: Our God and your God is One; and it is unto Him we submit ourselves as Muslims."' 29: 46
The Qur'an prescribes further for Muslims how to deal with the People of the Book and the criterion of their relations with them:
Say (O messenger): "O People of the Book, come to common terms between us and you:
that we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him;
that we do not take, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than God."
If they then turn away, then say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims".' 3: 64
Islam: Relations with non-Muslims: People of the Book, Jews and Christians
