Mr. Virgil Constan has drawn a very vivid picture of the blessed era
of holy prophet Muhammad. He has included his letters to the
neighboring kings and bishops. Among them is a Letter of Protection
given by him to the Bishop of Najran. It was located near Yeman and
its Bishop had visited Madinah to argue over the truth of
Christianity. Simple people of Arab looked with surprise their ****ning
clothes and lavish The Christians were adamant that Jesus had
sup****t of God Almighty which Islam also testifies. But Islam does
not accept their claim that he was son of God. Holy prophet Muhammad
tried to convince them that God does not have sons or daughters but
creates whatever he likes. If Jesus was born without father, God
Almighty had performed a greater miracle by creating Adam without
father and mother. But the Christian clergy was not convinced. Holy
prophet than asked Almighty Allah's guidance and Allah SWT in His
ultimate Grace revealed Ayats of Holy Quran, asking both the sides to
bring themselves with their wives and kids and pray together for
destruction of the side whose claim was wrong. The Bishop agreed, but
when Holy Prophet Muhammad brought his wives and daughters (His sons
did not live long), next morning, the Christian delegation did not
turn up as it has already made good its escape. Muslim Scholars state
that had they stayed and both sides had prayed as suggested in Quran,
they would have been killed with their wives and children.
But when Islam became the leading religion of the peninsula, Holy
prophet very gracefully allowed the Bishops and the clergy to retain
their positions. Mr. Constan writes that the letter holy prophet sent
to Pope of Najran Abul Haris had allowed full religious freedom to
Christians with the right to manage their own affairs without any
intervention from Muslim Government. It reads thus:
" In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
From Muhammad, Messenger of Allah to the Pope of Najran and his
aides.
After that. Let it be known that the running of Church and its do to
day affairs is the sole responsibility of Pope and his aides. Allah
and His messenger assure them of sup****t. It is hereby declared that
no bishop or priest will lose his job nor any reduction if their
authority will be allowed. No interference will be allowed in their
religious rites and as long as scholars of Christianity work honestly
and diligently their duties, their honor and dignity will be preserved
and let them reciprocate by not creating any problems for others."
This letter of Protection denotes the rights and privileges given to
Christians of Arabian Peninsula, by Holy Prophet Muhammad. Islam
unlike any other religion is a tolerant and graceful system of life.
Javed Iqbal Kaleem
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