Yahya - Justice and Tolerance in the Qur'an (2003)

60
JUSTICE AND TOLERANCE IN THE OUR'AN
One day, non-Muslims from Bilecik brought a load of glasses to the
bazaar. One Muslim bought glasses but did not pay for them.
When the salesman complained, Osman Ghazi called the Muslim
who had failed to pay, took the money from him and immediately
gave it to the non-Muslim. Following that, Osman Ghazi used his
town criers to order his people not to act unjustly towards the non-
Muslims of Bilecik. Osman Ghazi's administration proved to be so
fair that even non-Muslim women could come and shop in the
bazaar in safety. Under the administration of Osman Ghazi, the
non-Muslim community felt safe. When Osman Ghazi was asked
the reason for his extreme sensitivity in doing justice to the non-
Muslims of Bilecik, he answered: "They are our neighbours. When
we first came to this land, they welcomed us. What becomes us now
is to respect them." 30
This virtuous conduct of Osman Ghazi is simply a
manifestation of God's command:
Worship God and do not associate anything with Him.
Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans
and the very poor, and to neighbours who are related to
you and neighbours who are not related to you, and to
companions and travellers and your slaves. God does
not love anyone vain or boastful. (Qur'an, 4:36)
This behaviour in compliance with the Qur'anic
injunctions caused many people to be reconciled to Islam.
After the conquests of Yarhisar, ‹negöl, Bilecik, Yeniflehir
(towns in Anatolia) and their surroundings, Osman Ghazi
treated the native non-Muslims with justice and tolerance,
and did not confiscate their lands. Indeed, Ottoman rule
promoted public welfare and made these lands better places
to live in a very short time. Furthermore, these safe lands