SOCIETY

After the attainment of his prophethood, he lived in Makkah for a period of thirteen years, later migrating to Madinah, where he lived for ten years until his death. For about half of this period in Madinah, he was living among people belonging to different religions. The Prophet devised a constitution for these people, known in history as Sahifa-eMadinah (Madinah Charter). This charter expressly mentioned that issues concerning the different groups domiciled in Madinah would be decided on the basis of their own religious traditions—those of Muslims according to their Islamic traditions, and those of polytheists and Jews according to their respective traditions. This principle of Islam was intended to apply at all places where Muslims lived along with adherents of other religions. This sunnah or practice of the Prophet, for a pluralistic society carries the same moral authority as other of his practices. Islam recognizes no difference between Muslims and people of other faiths from the ethical standpoint. The rights granted to a Muslim are exactly the same as those granted to others. A saying in Sahih al-Bukhari gives us a telling example of how this principle should in practice be followed. According to this report when the Prophet was in Madinah, he saw a funeral procession passing along a street. The Prophet was seated at that time. On seeing it, the Prophet stood up in deference to the deceased person. One of his Companions said: “O God’s messenger, it was the funeral of a Jew (not a Muslim).” The Prophet replied: “Was he not a human being?” This tells us that every human being is worthy of respect. There might be differences between people in religion, culture and traditions but it is incumbent upon everyone to accord equal respect to others as all men and women are creatures of one and the same God. All are descendants of Adam and Eve. Everyone has certainly the right to adopt one religion according to their beliefs. But with that choice comes the ineluctable responsibility of giving respect in full measure to adherents of other faiths and, in the light of those faiths, giving them what is ethically their due. o Islam recognizes no difference between Muslims and people of other faiths from the ethical standpoint. The rights granted to a Muslim are exactly the same as those granted to others.