The Role of Non-Muslims in Islamic Development January-February

their opponents. The only thing that eased this most difficult of situations was the role a Madinite played—that of a middleman. This man came to the Prophet in the night when Madinah was surrounded by enemy forces. He said, “I have become a Muslim in my heart, but I have not made it public yet. So the mushriks and the Jews both have trust in me.” Realizing that this man was in a position to play a peace-making role between the two parties, since he was trusted by both, the Prophet said, “You are the only one in this position among us.” This man began, therefore, to negotiate between the two parties and history tells us that it was he who cleared the path to peace at this juncture between the two rival parties. It was because of his efforts that the enemy decided to lift the siege of the city of Madinah and return to their homes. Islamic history contains many examples of the role played by non-Muslims in the development of Islam. This principle of non-Muslim involvement in Islamic development can also be extended from an individual level to the level of an entire group. In the present day context, Western civilization is an appropriate example. Although Western civilization developed in non-Muslim societies without any direct contribution from the Muslim minds, it is helpful for Islam in many aspects. For example, it is this Western civilization that finally ended religious persecution and opened the door for religious freedom and dawah. Similarly, it is this Western civilization which has developed the modern means of communication that has made it possible for Muslims to do dawah work on a global scale. Also, modern scientific discoveries made in the West have paved the way to proving the beliefs of Islam on a scientific basis.