Yet, despite all the hardship suffered by the earlier Muslims, which sadly still continues in many a non Muslim country, the Prophet ﷺ was asked to exercise restraint and approach them in the fairest of manners, for hostility breeds hostility. This is the subject of of our today's post wherein we share the 46th verse of Surah 29, Al Ankabut (The Spider) given herein under:
وَلَا تُجَادِلُوۡٓا اَهۡلَ الۡكِتٰبِ اِلَّا بِالَّتِىۡ هِىَ اَحۡسَنُ ۖ اِلَّا الَّذِيۡنَ ظَلَمُوۡا مِنۡهُمۡ وَقُوۡلُوۡٓا اٰمَنَّا بِالَّذِىۡۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَيۡنَا وَاُنۡزِلَ اِلَيۡكُمۡ وَاِلٰهُـنَا وَاِلٰهُكُمۡ وَاحِدٌ وَّنَحۡنُ لَهٗ مُسۡلِمُوۡنَ
(29:46) Argue not with the People of the Book except in the fairest manner, unless it be those of them that are utterly unjust. Say to them: “We believe in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to you. One is our God and your God; and we are those who submit83 ourselves to Him.”
Explanation of the Verse
- Engage in Dialogue with Respect and Wisdom: The verse emphasizes that when discussing religious matters with the People of the Book, Muslims should do so in a way that is characterized by wisdom, respect, and the best manners. This approach promotes understanding and reduces hostility, paving the way for constructive dialogue rather than confrontational disputes.
- Avoiding Hostile Disputes: Arguing in a hostile or aggressive manner often leads to animosity and deepens misunderstandings. The Qur'an advises against such disputes because they are counterproductive and can lead to negative feelings rather than bridging gaps between different faith communities. Sometimes, the people of Da'wah missions lose their cool when confronted with the hostile audience as in the case of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. When he went to the city of Taif, he was stoned by the people to an extent that his who body was covered up in blood. Yet when Angel Gabriel (Jibraeel) came and permission to uproot the mountain and crush the disbelievers, the revered Prophet did not allow for he knew one day the people of Taif will enter the fold of Islam. And they did.
- Focusing on Common Beliefs: The verse also encourages Muslims to emphasize common beliefs when speaking with the People of the Book: the shared belief in one God, the respect for revealed scriptures, and the concept of submission to God’s will. This approach can help to foster mutual respect and understanding.
- Except Against Injustice: The exception mentioned in the verse refers to those who commit injustice or act with blatant hostility against Muslims. In such cases, Muslims are allowed to defend themselves and their beliefs but are still encouraged to maintain a level of dignity and avoid stooping to unjust behavior.
Supporting Hadith and Islamic Teachings
- Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) Example: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) often engaged with Jews and Christians in a respectful manner, setting an example of how to interact with people of different faiths. He would listen to their perspectives, share the message of Islam, and avoid unnecessary conflict.
- Hadith on Gentleness: The Prophet emphasized the importance of gentleness and avoiding disputes:
“Gentleness / kindness is not found in anything except that it beautifies it, and it is not removed from anything except that it disfigures it.” (Sahih Muslim, 2594a)
This teaching aligns with the Qur’anic guidance to avoid hostile arguments and instead choose a kind and gentle approach in discussions.
Broader Implications in Light of the Qur’an and Hadith
- Promoting Peaceful Coexistence: This guidance supports peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between Muslims and people of other faiths. It underscores the importance of building bridges rather than creating divisions.
- Focus on the Message Rather than Winning Arguments: The goal of engaging with the People of the Book is not to "win" arguments but to convey the message of Islam in a way that is sincere and respectful. The emphasis is on inviting people to truth with wisdom and good advice, as outlined in other Qur’anic verses, such as Surah An-Nahl (16:125).
(O Prophet), call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and reason with them in the best manner possible. Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed away from His path, and He also knows well those who are guided to the Right Way.
- Avoiding Useless Disputes: Arguments often become emotional and can stray from the core issues, leading to wasted time and effort. By focusing on shared values and respectful dialogue, Muslims can avoid fruitless disputes and instead foster a meaningful exchange of ideas.
The Qur’anic guidance to avoid arguing with the People of the Book, except in the best manner, teaches Muslims the importance of respectful engagement, focusing on shared beliefs, and avoiding unnecessary hostility. This approach not only upholds the dignity of the dialogue but also reflects the true spirit of Islam, which emphasizes respect, wisdom, and compassion in all interactions.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our Selected verses from Sūrahs of Qur'an to highlight important topics with detailed explanation and Reference Page on Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.
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2 comments:
Ameen Ya Allah 🛐🤲🙏🕌🕋💖🌻✨🕊️☪️☝️
Jazakallah
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