Zakir Naik – How does Islam Protect Non-Muslim Minoritys Religious Rights
AI: Summary ©
The speaker discusses the religious freedom and rights in Bangladesh, where there is no system in the world that gives rights to the followers of other faiths. The speakers also discuss the protection of non- Muslim states and the importance of interfaithacy in religious freedom. They mention the history of Saladin Ayy filth and the importance of interfaithacy in practicing the religion.
AI: Summary ©
The second part of the question was religious
freedom and rights.
What is the Islamic perspective on protecting minority
rights in a predominantly Muslim country like Bangladesh?
How should Muslims in Bangladesh respond to challenges
related to religious freedom and interfaith harmony?
As far as religious freedom and rights are
concerned, there is no country in the world,
there is no system in the world that
gives rights to the followers of other faiths
like what Islam has given.
And you have that in the history of
the Seerah of the Prophet.
You have the history in the Seerah of
the Khulafa Rashidin, whether it be Hazrat Abu
Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Usman, Hazrat Ali, may
Allah be at peace with them all.
So, in Islam, the non-Muslims are secured.
Allah says in the Quran, in Surah Baqarah,
chapter number 2, verse number 256, there is
no compulsion in religion.
Truth stands out clear from error.
So, in Islam, there is no compulsion.
So, in Islam, suppose if there is a
religious structure, whether it be church, whether it
be a synagogue, whether it be a temple,
they are safe.
Unless it's creating a fitna, that's a different
case.
If it's creating a fitna, then you have
to remove it.
But generally, in an Islamic state, if the
existing temples and churches and synagogues, they are
secured.
You aren't allowed to attack it.
You aren't allowed to destroy it.
Unless it's creating a fitna, that's a different
question.
But generally, they are safe and they are
secured.
They should be protected.
Similarly, in Bangladesh, following the Islamic principles, all
the non-Muslim places of worship, they should
be protected.
They should be safe.
They need not spend money protecting it.
Yes, in Islamic country, you may not build
new churches or new temples, but whatever is
existing, they are protected.
And you have several such examples.
If you know the history of Saladin Ayyubi.
Saladin Ayyubi, when he conquered Jerusalem, where it
was under the clutches of the Christians and
he liberated it.
And when he went there, the Christians, they
knew that what atrocities they had done to
the Muslims, how they fled the land.
Now that they've come back to power, how
will they treat us?
They were afraid.
And when they asked, how will they be
treated?
So, the reply given by Saladin Ayyubi is,
I am different.
That they asked, will you take revenge?
Will you teach us a lesson?
He said, I am Saladin Ayyubi.
I am Saladin, you are safe from me.
And he saw to it that he gave
them all their rights and they were secured.
A non-Muslim in a Muslim political system
is secured.
They are safe.
And as far as religious freedom is concerned,
but naturally I am of the opinion of
whether it be Saudi Arabia or the Gulf
countries, they do not allow propagation of other
religions.
And I agree with that.
If you know something is wrong, you do
not allow that thing to be taught.
For example, all of us know maths.
Simple question, if you want to keep a
maths teacher and the maths teacher teaches 2
plus 2 is equal to 5, then will
you appoint the teacher?
And the answer is no.
Because we know basics of maths.
So, similarly, if we know basics of maths,
we will not appoint a teacher which says
2 plus 2 is equal to 5.
We will appoint a teacher that says 2
plus 2 is equal to 4.
So, similarly, as far as religious freedom is
concerned, they can practice the religion.
If churches are there, it is safe, it's
secured, they cannot be demolished.
And at the same time, they can take
guidance.
In religious freedom, there should be interfaith dialogue,
there should be commonalities as Allah says, come
to common terms as with us and you,
which is the first term, that you worship
none but Allah.
So, we should know that the main purpose
of life is to worship Allah and you
see to it that as far as religious
freedom is concerned, we give them the rights
but they cannot step on our toes, they
cannot propagate things which we believe are wrong,
they can practice it.
As long as they don't propagate their religion
and they don't create a fitna, they can
stay and Inshallah, Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala
will give hidayah and we will see to
it that they follow the deen.