“Despite facing so many attacks, despite so many deaths, despite enduring so many police beatings, despite mosques and businesses being destroyed, you Muslims have never retaliated against a single Hindu, nor even thrown a single stone at a temple. What kind of extremists are you, O Muslims? Are you extremists of patience? Those who call you extremists deserve to be slapped across the face.” This note appeared under the name of a young woman called K. Rohini in a prominent Malayalam newspaper.
Do you agree with her?
Before pondering why, listen to a question posed by Ghulam Yahya Anjum, a renowned North Indian author: “There are over forty Islamic/Muslim countries in the world. In Pakistan and Afghanistan, it is said that non-Muslims are persecuted. But in the remaining countries, has even a single non-Muslim ever been attacked solely for being a non-Muslim, or for being a minority?
Even today, in an age where media is extremely active and many are attempting to fabricate misconceptions about Islam and Muslims, have you ever come across such news?”
Reflect on Ghulam Yahya’s question, and think about this too: How many innocent people does Israel kill each day? Every human being with a conscience shed tears for them. Yet in many Muslim countries like Egypt, Syria, and Morocco, Jewish minorities live peacefully, transact their affairs beautifully, and lead happy lives.
Has a single Jew been attacked anywhere? Have you ever read such a report? If this surprises you, it simply means you have not understood Islam! There is a reason. Listen to this too: A renowned Jewish priest of Madinah, Said ibn Sana, recounts an incident from his life:
Once, when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Ali (RA) came out of a house, a poor Bedouin approached them, explaining the plight of his people. They had all embraced Islam but had nothing to eat. The Bedouin feared that, out of desperation, some might be tempted to revert to their former ways.
The Prophet ﷺ asked Ali (RA) if they had anything available. Ali (RA) replied that they had nothing. From a distance, Said ibn Sana noticed this. He came forward and offered the Prophet ﷺ a loan of dates, promising to collect it later. The Prophet ﷺ accepted and sent the Bedouin away happily.
However, before the loan was due, Said ibn Sana came to the Prophet ﷺ, who was sitting near the Madinah Mosque with his companions like Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA). Without warning, Said ibn Sana forcefully grabbed the Prophet ﷺ’s robe and turban, shook him violently, and demanded repayment, using harsh and insulting words. The faces of the companions darkened with anger. Umar (RA), losing his patience, was about to react. But the Prophet ﷺ corrected Umar (RA), saying: “This is not what is needed here. You should have advised me to repay the loan well, and advised him to demand repayment politely.”
Then the Prophet ﷺ ordered that twenty Saa’ (a traditional measure) more than what was due be given to Said ibn Sana. Umar (RA) complied. Soon afterward, touched by the Prophet’s ﷺ patience and the circle of love surrounding him, Said ibn Sana accepted Islam. (Source: Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir, 25:203) Muhammad ﷺ, the spiritual and temporal leader of the entire Muslim world, the beloved of thousands of followers, was treated in this harsh manner by a Jewish minority priest—and yet he responded with patience and gentleness, teaching an enduring lesson to all humanity. This is the Prophetic model—one among thousands of examples. If you reflect, all the earlier questions have their answers here.
Wherever Muslims live—whether in a village, a country, or an institution—how they should treat non-Muslims, respect them, and interact with them was thoroughly explained by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ before he left this world. He did not just declare these as mere statements but demonstrated them through hundreds of actions, creating an everlasting model for humanity. Thus, a true follower of the Prophet ﷺ is someone before whom no non-Muslim ever needs to feel fear—whatever faith they belong to. Never will a true Muslim force anyone to say “Allahu Akbar.” If they do so, they will face severe consequences in the Hereafter. Let’s familiarize ourselves with some of the Prophet’s ﷺ sayings: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever harms a Dhimmi (a non-Muslim under Muslim protection), I will argue against him. And whoever I argue against, I will be his opponent on the Day of Judgment.”(Al-Jami’ al-Saghir, Imam Suyuti, 8270)
He also said: “Whoever kills a Dhimmi under our protection shall not even smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance can be perceived from a distance of forty years’ travel.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Fathul Bari, 15/248) Another narration says: “Whoever kills a non-Muslim citizen shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is perceived from a distance of seventy years’ journey.” (Sunan al-Nasa’i, 2/25) Imam Bayhaqi reports: “Be aware: whoever oppresses a non-Muslim under protection, forces him beyond his capacity, or unjustly takes anything from him—I will argue against him on the Day of Judgment.” (Sunan al-Kubra, 9/205) Another Hadith states: “Whoever causes trouble to a Dhimmi has troubled me, and whoever troubles me has troubled Allah.” (Al-Jami’ al-Saghir, 8270) These sayings show that protecting the rights of non-Muslims was not just a matter of social etiquette—it was tied directly to one’s salvation and entry into Paradise. The Prophet ﷺ emphatically made it clear: no non-Muslim should ever have to fear for their life, dignity, or property under Muslim governance.
Even when a Jew once presented a grievance to the Prophet ﷺ, he gathered the Muslims and instructed them: “Understand well: Allah has not permitted you to enter the homes of the People of the Book without their consent, nor to harm their women or consume their fruits.”(Abu Dawood) The Quran, too, strongly condemns oppression: “If anyone among you commits aggression, severe punishment will be inflicted upon him.” (Surah al-Furqan, 25:18) The Prophet ﷺ narrated that Allah said: “O My servants! I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another.” (Riyad as-Salihin, 165) From the time of the Prophet ﷺ until today, the Muslim world has honored these commands. Whenever a Muslim failed to uphold them, scholars and righteous believers promptly corrected the error. Even the Caliphs and rulers of Islamic empires carried this responsibility: Caliph Umar (RA) instructed his governor Amr ibn al-As (RA): “Be careful, for you are responsible for the non-Muslims who have treaties with us. Fear the Day when Allah’s Messenger will argue against you.” (Al-Musawat fi al-Islam, 85)
During the conquest of Syria, Umar (RA) ordered his general Abu Ubaydah (RA): “Do not harm the Dhimmis. Do not cause them any loss. Do not remove them from their homes except for clear and just causes. Fulfill the promises made to them. ”Whenever visitors came to Umar (RA) from different regions, he would inquire about the well-being of the Dhimmis, ensuring their promises were kept. (Source: Tarikh al-Tabari, 4/218)
Even on his deathbed after being stabbed, Umar (RA) instructed: “Take care of the Dhimmis. Fulfill the covenant made with them. Do not burden them beyond their capacity. Do not betray them.” (Kitab al-Kharaj, 136) He insisted that no non-Muslim should suffer even though he himself was attacked by one. During the Caliphate of Ali (RA), when a Muslim killed a Dhimmi, Ali sentenced him to death and carried out the punishment. Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (RA) also ordered his governors to execute Muslims who unlawfully harmed Dhimmis. Thus, Islamic history is replete with such examples. When the Roman Empire tried to reassert dominance, Abu Ubaydah (RA) convened his commanders and planned to relocate Christians from a town that had aided the Romans. But a soldier stood up and said: “We have no right to expel them. We accepted them with promises of safety and dignity. ”Hearing this, Abu Ubaydah (RA) immediately abandoned the plan. Protection of non-Muslims was a moral responsibility flowing through the veins of every Muslim. When the Umayyad governor Walid ibn Yazid expelled Dhimmis from Cyprus unjustly, Islamic scholars came out into the streets in protest. (Source: Futuh al-Buldan, 214)
This shows how dear the protection of Dhimmis was to the Muslim scholars. Now tell me: Would any true Muslim ever even contemplate harming or oppressing a non-Muslim?
Never.
Islam gives no shelter to such behavior—Islam is the witness; history is the witness. Let’s conclude with another precious moment from the Prophet’s ﷺ life: Once, when the Prophet ﷺ was at home with his beloved wife Aisha (RA), a group of Jews came to visit.
Instead of greeting him with “Assalamu Alaikum” (peace be upon you), they deceitfully said “As-samu Alaikum” (death be upon you).
Hearing this, Aisha (RA) immediately responded harshly: “May death and curse be upon you!”
The Prophet ﷺ, however, corrected her gently:“O Aisha, be gentle. Allah loves gentleness in all matters.
”Aisha (RA) asked: “Didn’t you hear what they said?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “I have already responded: ‘And upon you.’” (Scholars explain that the Prophet’s ﷺ response implied: “May whatever you wished upon me fall upon you instead.”) (Source: Irshad al-Sari, 9/149)
Even in his own house, the Prophet ﷺ made sure that no one was wronged. Even an enemy or an aggressor.
