EXPERIENCING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

The Prophet once observed: God does not bless a community in which the weak cannot take from the strong what is rightfully theirs without fear of reprisal. Hadith-Sunan, Ibn Majah Deviation from the path of justice is not allowed, even when it concerns one’s opponent or enemy (THE QURAN 5: 8). The ruler and the ruled, the rich and the poor, black and white, should be treated equally before law, without any discrimination or distinction of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political affiliation, birth or other status. The following incident illustrates how strictly this ideal was religiously maintained in the early phase of Islam in accordance with Islamic doctrines and commandments. Any attempt to coerce a non-believer to accept Islam is a grievous sin. A woman by the name of Fatimah, belonging to the Banu Makhzum tribe, once committed a theft. Her kinsfolk, fearing that she would be punished, sent Usamah ibn Zayd to intercede with the Prophet on her behalf. When the Prophet heard this pre-planned intercession, signs of anger appeared on his face. “Are you trying to sway me as to the limits laid down by God?” he asked. Usamah ibn Zayd immediately admitted his mistake and begged the Prophet to pray on his behalf for forgiveness. The Prophet then delivered a sermon to those assembled there saying: Communities of old came to grief and destruction because of the disparity and leniency shown to those in high positions when they committed such an offence. On the contrary, any offender of humble origin or lowly status in society had harsh punishment meted out to him. By God, if my own daughter Fatimah were to steal, I would have her punished. Hadith-Al-Bukhari, Muslim Freedom of expression and dissent: The principle of non-coercion mentioned above has not been confined to religious freedom alone. Rather, it has been extensively elaborated