The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) modelled respectful behaviour toward non-Muslims based on humanity, a lesson he also taught us. It is said in the Holy Quran that Allah states, "Surely the life of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is an example for everyone who acknowledges Allah and the Day of Resurrection and remembers Allah in great abundance."
Verse 21 of Surah Al-Ahzab. A human species that had been stumbling about in the dimness of ignorance was shown by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) the road to a successful future after having been lost in the darkness of ignorance.
A social system was created by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), in which Muslims were supposed to treat each other and all people with compassion. He also encouraged Muslims to treat non-Muslims with kindness.
Hadith’s References:
One of the clearest instances of the Prophet's (PBUH) pleasant company with non-Muslims and his treatment of non-Muslims is when he got up to recognise the passing of a Jewish funeral. This was one of the best examples of the Prophet's (PBUH) treatment of non-Muslims.
According to the accompanying hadith, "Sa'd bin Hanif and Qais bin Sa'd were sitting in Qadisiyah when a funeral procession passed by them; at which point, they both stood up when people said to them: They are among the people of the earth, i.e. the dhimmis;(mean Jewish) and they both said that once a funeral passed by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and he also stood up. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was then informed that is a Jewish funeral. Was he not a human? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadith 1255: A peace treaty was established with non-Muslims by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Under this treaty, the non-Muslims' lives and property were totally safeguarded; nevertheless, if the pact was broken, a serious response occurred.
There is another hadith in Mubaraka with reference to good behaviour towards non-Muslims: "It was narrated by Hazrat Ibn Safwan Ibn Sulaym that the Prophet (PBUH) said, 'Remember the person who wronged a non-Muslim (with whom an agreement has been made.)"
or harmed his rights, or imposed on him more than his strength or ability (for example, taking more jizya from a Zhimmi than he was able to or from a mustaman mean (who came to Dar rul Salaam for the purpose of trade)), If he has taken anything from him without his will and pleasure, then I will protest against him on the Day of Resurrection.
The following hadith is taken from Al-Mushkut Sharif, volume 3, hadith Mubaraka:
It was related by Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) made the following statement:
"Whoever kills a Zhimmi mean (who has received the protection of Allah and His Messenger Hazrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)) will not even be able to smell the fragrance of Paradise."
Although a person may smell the aroma of paradise 70 years away if they walk there.
Reference: "Sunan Ibn Majah, volume 2, Hadith 845:
The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) initiated the custom of treating individuals of other religions with compassion, ethics, and morals as the guiding principle in their interactions with one another.
In addition to this, the rights of non-Muslims need to be safeguarded.
Prayer:
We beseech Allah to bestow upon us his knowledge and the ability to model our lives after that of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Amen!
