Uphold the faith – but with under¬standing and compassion

Uphold the faith – but with under¬standing and compassion

640

1994 3 March 9 Uphold the faith – but with understanding and compassion (241)

“If an idolater seeks asylum, with you, give him protection so that he may hear the word of God, and then convey him to safety. For the idolaters are ignorant men”

The Qur’an makes it clear that “God and His apostle are free from obligation to the idolaters” (9.3) and that the latter are to be sternly dealt with if their breach of trust, other evil-doing and in particular, their unwillingness to repent so merit it. But in the same chapter it is said that “God will show mercy to whom He will” (9.27) and the faithful are advised that “if an idolater seeks asylum with you, give him protection so that he may hear the word of God, and then convey him to safety. For the idolaters are ignorant men” (9.6). In spite of the iniquities of the idolaters, they are to be, treated leniently if repentant, their vulnerability is to be used not to extirpate, but to reform them and their ignorance is to be seen as a mitigating factor in any judgment passed upon them.

The Qur’an leaves us in no doubt that the negativism of enmity should never be allowed to diminish or destroy the opportunity to bring enlightenment to any of God’s creatures. Although the Qur’an says, “Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you. “It also says in the same verse, “Deal courteously with them. Know that God is with the righteous” (9.123).