Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

Al-Tawbah (The Repentance) | RELATIONS WITH OTHER RELIGIONSchanging situation in human life.Clarity of AttitudesWe will now discuss the nature of relations between the Muslim community andthe followers of earlier religions, putting it in both its substantial and historicalcontexts. These were the major elements in defining the final rulings governing theserelations.In order to form a clear and accurate idea of the nature of such relations, it isimportant first to study what God states concerning these relations in His Bookwhich is the absolutely true word that admits no error or falsehood. Such statementsare free of errors resulting from human bias and faults of reasoning and deduction.Then we have to look at the events and attitudes which confirm these statements.The nature of the attitude of the people of the earlier revelations towards theMuslims is stated several times in the Qur’ān. On certain occasions, God speaks ofthem alone, while on others, He groups them with the unbelievers, since the twogroups are united in their attitudes towards Islam and the Muslim community. Attimes, the Qur’ān speaks of certain positions they have taken which expose theiralliance against Islam. The statements themselves are too clear and decisive torequire any comment: ‘Neither the unbelievers among the people of earlier revelations northe idolaters would like to see any blessing ever bestowed upon you by your Lord.” (2: 105)“Many among the people of earlier revelations would love to lead you back to unbelief nowthat you have embraced the faith. This they do out of deep-seated envy, after the truth hasbecome manifest to them.” (2: 109) “Never will the Jews nor yet the Christians be pleasedwith you unless you follow their faith.” (2: 120) “A party of the people of earlier revelationswould love to lead you astray.” (3: 69) “A party of the people of earlier revelations say [to oneanother]: ‘Declare at the beginning of the day that you believe in what has been revealed to thebelievers, and then deny it at the end of the day, so that they may go back on their faith. Butdo not really trust anyone who does not follow your own faith.” (3: 72-73) “Believers, if youpay heed to some of those who have been given revelations, they will cause you to renouncethe truth after you have accepted the faith.” (3: 100) “Are you not aware of those who, havingbeen granted a share of divine revelations, now barter it away for error, and want you too tolose your way? But God knows best who are your enemies.” (4: 44-45) “Are you not aware ofthose who, having been granted a share of divine revelations, now believe in falsehood andarrogant deviation [from divine faith], and they say to the unbelievers that they are betterguided than the believers.” (4: 51)These examples are sufficient to make the attitude of the people of earlierrevelations towards the believers absolutely clear. They would dearly love thebelievers to sink back into disbelief, although they know them to be following the88