FROM THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET

reported that Caliph Umar used to show great personal concern for the welfare and well-being of the non-Muslim minority living under his care by keeping himself well informed of their conditions and suffering. He came to their rescue whenever the need arose. While patrolling the neighbourhoods, he once came upon an old man belonging to the nonMuslim community begging from door to door. Feeling grieved and perturbed, he commented: ‘How can I have the courage to face my Lord (on the day of Judgement) when one of my subjects is compelled to beg in order to earn his livelihood. Certainly, this is not the justice and equity that the Islamic Shariah intends to achieve in dealing with the non-Muslim subjects living in an Islamic State.’ As its name signifies, Islam is a religion of peace and security, therefore, non-Muslims should be free of any fear of being treated in a way displeasing to God. The Quran states: ‘The believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabaeans—all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good deeds— will be rewarded by their Lord; they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.’ (2: 62) The rights conceded to non-Muslims by Islam cover a wide range of what today might be classified as basic human rights, such as the right to freedom of expression, the right to belief and worship, the right to security and privacy, and the right to protection by the state and the authorities. In no way, as mentioned in the verse of the Quran quoted above, should a dislike or hatred of a nation influence Muslims in their dealings with it, or cause them to abandon the code of justice prescribed by God. o