In the Qur'an, there is a
significant difference between the People of the Book and those who have no
belief in Allah. This is especially emphasized in the area of social life. For
example, it is said concerning those who associate others with Allah: "(they)
are unclean, so after this year they should not come near the Sacred
Mosque." (Surat at-Tawba, 28) Those who associate others with Allah
are people who know no divine law, have no moral precepts and who can commit
every kind of degrading and perverse deed without hesitation.
But
the People of the Book, while they rely basically on Allah's revelation, have
moral precepts and know what is lawful and what is not. In the same way,
permission has been given to a Muslim man to marry a woman from among the People
of the Book. On this subject Allah commands:
Today all good things have
been made lawful for you. And the food of those given the Book is also lawful
for you and your food is lawful for them. So are chaste women from among the
believers and chaste women of those given the Book before you, once you have
given them their dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as
lovers. But as for anyone who disbelieves, his actions will come to nothing and
in the hereafter he will be among the losers. (Surat al-Ma’ida, 5)
These
commands show that bonds of kinship may be established as a result of the
marriage of a Muslim with a woman from the People of the Book and that those on
each side of the union can accept an invitation to a meal. These are the
fundamentals that will ensure the establishment of equitable human
relationships and a happy communal life. Since the Qur'an enjoins this
equitable and compassionate attitude, it is unthinkable that a Muslim could
take an opposing view.
At
the time of the Prophet Muhammad (saas), a just and compassionate policy was
practiced in relation to the People of the Book. In the contract made with the
Christians of Najran, who lived in the south of Arabia, the Prophet Muhammad
(saas) demonstrates one of the best examples of compassion and justice. The
contract included the following article:
The
lives of the people of Najran and its surrounding area, their religion, their
land, property, cattle and those of them who are present or absent, their
messengers and their places of worship are under the protection of Allah and
guardianship of His Prophet. (The Pact of Najran, Article 6,
http://www.islamicresources.com/Pact_of_Najran.htm.)
By
means of such contracts, the Messenger of Allah secured a social order for
Muslims and the People of the Book alike, which was marked by peace and
security. This order was a total manifestation of the following verse:
Those who believe, those
who are Jews, and the Christians and Sabaeans, all who believe in Allah and the
Last Day and act rightly, will have their reward with their Lord. They will
feel no fear and will know no sorrow. (Surat al-Baqara, 62)
The
Constitution of Madinah is the most important contract that secured justice and
compassion among Christians, Jews and pagan communities. The Constitution of
Madinah was prepared under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (saas) 1,400
years ago, that is in 622 AD, to meet the needs of people of different beliefs,
and was put into practice as a written legal contract. Different communities of
different religions and races that had harbored deep-seated enmity towards one
another for 120 years became parties to this legal contract. By means of this
contract, the Prophet Muhammad (saas) showed that conflicts between those
societies, who had been enemies and quite unable to reach any form of
compromise, could come to an end, and they could actually live side by side.
According
to the Constitution of Madinah, everyone was free to adhere to any belief or
religion or to make any political or philosophical choice. People sharing the
same views could come together and form a community. Everyone was free to
exercise his own justice system. However, anyone who committed a crime would be
protected by no one. The parties to the contract would engage in co-operation
with one another, provide support for each other, and would remain under the
protection of the Prophet Muhammad (saas). Conflicts between the parties would
be brought to the Messenger of Allah.
This contract was in
force from 622 to 632 AD. Through this document, the tribal structures which
had formerly been based on blood and kinship were abolished, and people of
different cultural, ethnical and geographical backgrounds came together and
formed a social unity. The Constitution of Madinah secured absolute religious
freedom.
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder