Among the notable characteristics of Islam is that it guarantees freedom of belief. Allah (SWT) said: “There is no compulsion in the Faith.” (Al-Qur’an 2: 256). Allah (SWT) adds: “If it had been your Lord’s will, they would have believed – all who are on earth.” (Al-Qur’an 10: 99). Allah (SWT) did not make every human being a believer, without a choice, like the angels. Even the Prophet (SAW) was not allowed by Allah to compel people to become Muslims. Instead, Allah commanded the Prophet (SAW) to invite people to Islam with wisdom and kindness. Allah (SWT) said: “{O’ Prophet} call unto the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way.” (Al-Qur’an 16: 125).
Hence, in the course of his 23 years of Apostolic mission, the Prophet did not compel a single individual to accept Islam against his own will, not even his own uncle and guardian, Abu Talib, who was never formally converted to Islam. Allah (SWT) advised the Prophet (SAW) to tell those who wished to carry on with their religions, thus: “You have your faith and I have my faith” (Al-Qur’an 109: 6).
People were and are attracted to Islam because of its beauty, rationality, and dynamism as well as because of the personality of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
As a beautiful, rational, and dynamic religion, very rightly, the first people who joined the fold of Islam were those who knew the Prophet well – the Prophet’s wife Khadijah, and close relatives and friends. They embraced Islam, first, because of the Prophet’s own integrity of character, truthfulness, honesty, and amiable disposition toward one and all. A large number of other people of his day too embraced Islam willingly and gladly.
The whole of Arabia became Muslim within 30 years of the demise of the Prophet. And from that time right to this day, very rightly and indeed naturally, Islam is the official religion of Arabia, the place of its birth.
The easy and rapid spread of Islam throughout the world over the centuries has usually been accomplished by people who have followed the spiritual path. Islam spread to the far end of Asia, like China and Indonesian-Malay world, by Muslim merchants and traders with exemplary Islamic personalities.
Another notable characteristic of Islam is its emphasis on brotherhood and unity. In this, Islam provides ample practical directions to promote it in a number of novel and unique ways. A few of the main ones are as follows:
1. Every Muslim is a brother to another irrespective of his race and color,
2. The azan (prayer call) is said in the same way and in Arabic throughout the world.
3. Muslims throughout the world perform the salat five times a day as well as the two annual Eid salats, following a standard timetable.
4. Muslims throughout the world face the Ka’bah during their salat,
5. When performing their congregational salat in the mosque, the Muslim stands shoulder to shoulder with other Muslims, irrespective of the status, race, and color of the Muslims who are on either side of him,
6. Muslims throughout the world observe a whole month of fasting together in the month of Ramadhan,
7. The Qur’an is in Arabic, and read in Arabic by all Muslims throughout the world, and
8. Muslims of all races and colors perform the Haj in Mecca at the same time.
These Islamic practices are really a powerful and practical way of training Muslims to promote Islamic brotherhood and unity. You should therefore appreciate the institution of these practices and play your role in developing the spirit of brotherhood and unity among Muslims of your country and of the world. But, at the same time, you should get the people of other religions closer to you and the Muslims. You should not alienate the non-Muslims. Indeed, this is the beauty of Islam: it teaches Muslims to be close to the non-Muslims to promote mutual respect, understanding, and harmony. No Muslim should be individualistic or live in isolation from others.
Any person who makes Islam his way of life would become a person with the greatest happiness, respect, and honor.
by Shaikh A. Kadir
