Many people may not know this, but the concept and practice of Muslim’s building and establishing relationships with Christians and Jews is rich in history. From an Islamic perspective, the very first migration that took place during Muhammed’s (PBUH) lifetime involved a small group of Meccan inhabitants and a Christian King in Abyssinia (which is also known as modern day Ethiopia).
Two years after Muhammed (PBUH) went public with his call of Islam and five years after the 1st Quranic revelation, the first migration in Islam took place. During these times (over 1400 years ago), the Quraysh were abusing, persecuting, and humiliating the Muslims as Islam was starting to blossom. As such, Muhammed (PBUH), suggested to a handful of believers, “If you went to the land of Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia), you would find there a king under whose command nobody suffers injustice. It is a land of sincerity in religion. You would remain there until God delivered you from what you suffer at present.”
Muhammed (PBUH) was referring to the Christian King Negus as he was respectful and fair to his people. Nearly one hundred people migrated to Abyssinia and it’s important to note that among those to go were Muhammed’s (PBUH) daughter Ruqqaya and her husband. Muhammed (PBUH) sent his daughter to live in a land where the ruler is Christian because he knew the leaders rules were based on justice. Additionally, Muhammed (PBUH) had two infant sons pass away and yet he felt comfortable sending his daughter to a faraway land, where the ruler was Christian.
When the Quraysh found out, they sent two emissaries to Negus to dissuade the King from offering protection to the Muslims and they brought the King many gifts to help in this persuasion.
Both the Muslims and the Quraysh presented their cases to the King. The Muslims talked about their persecution at the hands of Quraysh and also talked about similarities in faith (One God), rejection of idols, opposing injustice, etc. They introduced him to the Quran passages of the Virgin Mary and this made the King happy as Muslims had similarities with Christians and they also heavily respected and loved Jesus.
The Quraysh were upset and told the King that Muslims don’t see Jesus as a Son of God, but rather as a Prophet of God. Although differences in faith existed, the King respected these differences and offered the Muslims protection in his land. He sent Quraysh back to Mecca with their gifts and allowed the Muslims to live in a Christian land under the pillars of peace, prosperity, and dignity.
The Muslims were the religious minority in Abyssinia, yet they were protected, tolerated, and received by King Negus and his community. The Muslims saw Negus as a man of principle and justice as such the majority of Muslims stayed in Abyssinia for about 15 years and eventually migrated to Medina.
During these times, Muhammed (PBUH) would maintain strong ties with different clans and kin who were not Muslim. Muhammed (PBUH) loved his uncle Abu Talib very much and was with his uncle at his death, even though he died as non-Muslim. Additionally, Muhammed (PBUH) had another non-Muslim uncle named Abbas. Abbas was tremendously trusted by Muhammed (PBUH) and as such Muhammed (PBUH) confined in Abbas and had him take part in private meetings involving the future of the community. Muhammed (PBUH) told Abbas confidential info regarding the Medina migration. Even though Abbas remained a polytheist till his death, Muhammed (PBUH) showed him respect and confidence. Muhammed (PBUH) used to establish relationships in the name of trust and principles and not exclusively on the basis of religious affiliation.
His companions learned this quality and implemented it into their lives. Muslim females were often escorted by Christian men when traveling as the men were trusted and heavily respected. Additionally, Muhammed (PBUH) used to handle business accounts of Muslim and Non-Muslims and always applied principles of honesty and justice. He also showed compassion to those who left Islam under pressure or persecution. As an example, there was a case of a Muslim who went to Abyssinia and later became Christian. Muhammed (PBUH) never instructed anyone to harass or ill treat the man as Islam’s attitude is to respect people’s freedom and individual choices.
When Muslims migrated from Mecca to Medina, influential and established presence of Jewish and Christian communities in Medina already existed. When Muhammed (PBUH) and his companions arrived in Medina, his instructions were to spread peace, feed the hungry, honor kinship ties, pray while people sleep, and you shall enter paradise in peace. Upon arriving, Muhammed (PBUH) also drew up mutual assistance agreements between the Muslims and the Jews. It demanded no conversions and referred to the principles of justice, equality, and dignity. People were to have the same rights and same duties and if conflicts were to break out, all would stand together and not enter into separate alliances or agreements. The relationships between the three faiths were based on the framework of “People of the Book.” All had received revealed messages of God (Torah, Gospel, and Koran).
A few years into Medina life, there was some conflict between a Muslim and Jewish tribe. A Muslim subsequently stole something and wanted to blame a Jew. Quranic revelation denounced the Muslims action and proclaimed the Jews innocence. The Quran reinforces principles of justice and respect and teaches us not to have hatred in our actions regardless of faith. Another illustration pertains to the time Muhammed (PBUH) stood up at a funeral procession for a Jew in Medina and his people were surprised. Muhammed’s (PBUH) responded by asking “was this not a human soul?”
In this era of negative media, it is important to remind ourselves that our differences make us universally stronger and the more we interact with one another, the better our relationships will grow.
By: Mulham Shbeib
March 3, 2012
