Another important fact we learn from the Qur'an is that Muslims must respect Jewish and Christian places of worship. In the Qur'an, the places of worship of the People of the Book, ie. monasteries, churches and synagogues, are mentioned as places of worship protected by God.
… if God had not driven some people back by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, where God's name is mentioned much, would have been pulled down and destroyed. God will certainly help those who help Him – God is All-Strong, Almighty. (Qur'an, 22:40 )
This verse shows every Muslim the importance of respecting and protecting the holy places of the People of the Book.
Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also made contracts with pagans as well as the people of the Book. Pagans were always treated with justice, and when they asked to be taken under protection, their requests were readily accepted by Muhammad (pbuh). This meant that these communities sought the protection of the Messenger of God (pbuh) in the face of an attack or a wrongful accusation. Throughout his life, many non-Muslims and pagans requested protection from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and he took them under his protection and ensured their security. In the Qur'an God advises that requests of pagans seeking protection be accepted by believers. Of this, God says the following:
If any of the idolaters ask you for protection, give them protection until they have heard the words of God. Then convey them to a place where they are safe... (Qur'an, 9:6)
All believers must pray for one another and be at unity.
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Jews and Christians, due to their shared commonalities with Muslims are much closer to Muslims than those who have no faith in God. Each of these religions has its book, that is, they are subject to a book sent down by God. They know what is right and what is wrong, what is lawful and what is unlawful according to their scriptures, and all revere the prophets and messengers that accompanied them. They all believe in a hereafter, and afterlife where they will have to give an account to God for all their actions. So, there is a shared foundation from where we all can unite upon.
Rallying to a Common Formula
Concerning the People of the Book, God gives Muslims a command in the Qur'an; to rally to a common formula:
Say, "O People of the Book! Let us rally to a common formula to be binding on both us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than God." (Qur'an, 3:64)
This is indeed our call to Christians and Jews: As people who believe in God and follow His revelations, let us rally to a common formula – "faith". Let us love God, Who is our Creator and Lord, and follow His commands. And let us pray to God to lead us to an even straighter path.
When Muslims, Christians and Jews rally to a common formula this way; when they understand that they are friends not enemies, when they see that the real enemy is the denial of God, then the world will become a very different place. The wars in many parts of the world, enmities, fears and terrorist attacks will come to an end, and a new civilisation based on love, respect and peace will be established upon this "common formula".
There are important facts to consider for Muslims. What God teaches us in the Qur'an about different peoples and creeds is clear:
- The morality of the Qur'an excludes every kind of racism.
- It is commanded in the Qur'an that a moderate and friendly attitude must be maintained toward other religions.
It is evident that some of the Jews who lived in the past have committed many errors which are stated and criticized in the Qur'an. But all this must not be taken by Muslims as a cause to feel hostility against all Jews. The crime committed by some Jews because of atheist ideologies cannot be ascribed to Judaism and the Jewish nation.
The evils in the world will come to an end when Muslims, Christians and Jews all worship God in unity, tolerating their differences of faith.
Again a basic vantage point prescribed in the Qur'an is not to make judgements about people just because they belong to a particular race, nation or religion. In every community, there are good people as well as wicked people. This differentiation is stated in the Qur'an. For instance, right after mentioning the rebellious nature – against God and His religion – of some people among Jews and Christians, there is reference to an exception and, said thus:
[However] They are not all alike. Among the People of the Book there is an upright community who recite the revelation of God during the night and fall prostrate before Him. They believe in God and the Last Day, enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, and vie with one another in good works. They are of the righteous and whatever good they do, its reward will not be denied them. God knows those who fear [Him]. (Qur'an, 3:113-115)
After the attacks of September 11, people of every language and religion prayed to God in empathy and solidarity.
a) Muzammil Siddiqui, the President of the Islamic Society of North America, recited verses from the Qur'an at the Washington National Cathedral memorial service held in the aftermath of September 11.
b) Bush's visit to the Islamic Center in Washingon.
c) Above: Muslims and non- Muslims prayed together in a service in Dallas. Side: President Bush prayed next to a Muslim imam during a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.
In another verse, God commands:
We sent a Messenger among every people saying: "Worship God and keep clear of all false gods." Among them were some whom God guided but others received the misguidance they deserved. Travel about the earth and see the final fate of the deniers. (Qur'an, 16:36)
God revealed to all messengers that He is the Unique and that there is no one but Him Whom people must worship, serve and obey. The divine message, conveyed to the people by God through His messengers, has been communicated to people since the creation of man. Some societies have accepted the message and followed the right path while others have denied and swerved from it. This also holds true for the present day. Some people will side with the righteous, whereas some others will plunge into mischief. This is the law of God. Those who believe should also adopt such an outlook and never forget that there may be sincere, pious people who have fear of God among the members of all religions as well as those who are far removed from the religious tenets.
Our hope is that a world will be established in which people will be able to live together in peace, no matter what race or religion they belong to, in which every racist perversion will be rejected, everyone's rights will be safeguarded and everyone will be respected. The struggle that will have to take place on intellectual grounds against all anti-religious ideologies will hopefully establish the peace that has been longed for. Of this God relates the following in the Qur'an:
Those who disbelieve are the friends and protectors of one another. If you do not act in this way (be friends and protectors of one another) there will be turmoil in the land and great corruption. (Qur'an, 8:73)
Would that there had been more people with a vestige of good among the generations of those who came before you, who forbade corruption in the earth, other than the few among them whom We saved. Those who did wrong gladly pursued the life of luxury that they were given and were evildoers. (Qur'an, 11:116)
Conversations with Adnan Oktar, en.a9.com.tr
God Even Wants Us to Forgive a Murderer
Adnan Oktar: About America considering (Muslims) as terrorists; there are two reasons; first of all, there is no terror in Islam, this is very obvious. Islam means love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness; even God wants us to forgive the murderer. There is the concept of retaliation for murder in the Qur'an but God says that it is more auspicious if we forgive. It would be very unwise to see the traces of terror in a religion that imparts this. Almighty God even wants us to forgive a murderer; this is a religion of peace and love. There is forgiveness everywhere in Islam; there is forgiveness in everything. Forgive, command what is good and forbid what is evil. Love, mercy, compassion and cooperation; they are all explained throughout [the Qur'an]. But also there are terrorists who engage in terrorism. He acts ignorantly and bombs civilians, for instance. He bombs a place where there are women and children. Is he a Muslim? It is open to question. I don't know if such type of people are Muslims. First of all it would be illogical to call them first Muslims and then to lament terrors carried out by a Muslim. First of all we need to determine whether these people are Muslims or not. In my opinion, if a person recklessly dares to kill a child, he can't be a Muslim. This is not something acceptable.Darwinist, materialist and Marxist young people consider Islam to be more interesting in time but they remain as Marxists or Darwinists. They carry out acts of communist terrorism in the name of Islam. That is to say, whatever he does as a communist, he does it in the name of Islam and he claims that it is more legitimate. The fact is however he has desire for terror and for violence in his soul. If he does not call himself a Muslim, he already carries out such acts as a Marxist. If not, as a fascist. He does it in all cases. That is to say, he has a sick soul. For this reason saying that there is terror in islam is having a flawed understanding towards islam. This is a grave error. Islam is the religion of peace as we can also understand from the meaning of the word 'islam' which is peace. For this reason nobody of sound mind would ever accept it. (Denge TV, 9 December 2008)
Adnan Oktar: How can terror exist in islam? Islam is water while terror is the fire. Islam is the water that extinguishes fire. Would fire burn water? Water extinguishes fire. Consequently since love, compassion, mercy, respect, deep thinking, sincerity, cooperation are in the essence of religion, it is unlikely for religion to support terror. This is absent in the structure of Islam. Indeed, when someone murders a person, God states the murderer to be forgiven. God says that it is more auspicious if he is forgiven. Can such a religion ever support terrorism? (Associated Press Of Pakistan, 6 September 2008)
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