Written by:  Essam Derballah

The prophet (PBUH) left Muslims a great number of the choices to achieve these goals.  Here are some of these choices:

1-The choice of calling unto Allah and convincing people through talk:

We can conclude this choice from the Quranic Verses;

((And do not dispute with the people of earlier Scripture, save in a good manner, expect with those of them who do wrong, and say; We believe in what has been revelated to you, and our Lord and your Lord is One, and to Him do we submit in Islam)) (Surah 29-46)

((Say, people of earlier Scripture! Let us reason together, that we worship none but Allah and we associate nothing with Him, and that we do not set up from among ourselves lords other than Allah. But if they turn away, then say, Bear witness that we are Muslims.)) (Surah 3-64)

((Call mankind to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and sound advice, and reason with them in a well mannered way. Indeed your Lord is well aware of those who have gone astray from His Way, and He is well aware of those who are guided.)) (Surah 16-125)

We cannot forget the Prophetical tries to call unto Allah. The Prophet (PBUH) called Qurish unto Allah a lot. He went to Al-Taef. He sent Mosaab Ibn Omier to Medina to tell the people about Islam and the coming of the great Prophet (PBUH). Medina became the centre of the first Islamic state under the leadership of the prophet (PBUH) to continue His Call. He (PBUH)sent His messengers to the leaders of the other nations, the Romans and the Persians. The Prophet (PBUH) applied this choice many times before applying Jihad. The prophet (PBUH) was very patient with the Polytheists and the hypocrites. He (PBUH) was patient with the Jews and their deception. He (PBUH) ordained His companion to be patient during the fight when Muslims were tempted and trialed. He (PBUH)told those who are too weak to fight or defend themselves to be patient and ask Allah's help.

2- The choice of Cooperation on what is pious and good and against what is wrongful:

This choice is a response to the Divine order ((Cooperate with all in what is good and pious, and do not cooperate in what is sinful and aggressive, and fear Allah, Surely Allah is serve in punishment)) (Surah 5-2)

Some people think that this cooperation and alliance is directed to Muslims only to stop aggression and achieve the good and it is a big mistake which does not comply with the deeds of the Prophet (PBUH). The aim of this cooperation is achieving what Allah the Almighty loves whatever the people we cooperate with. There are many proofs of what we say:

1- The Prophet (PBUH) said {I swear by Allah who owns my soul if Qurish asked me what achieves Allah's teachings, I would response positively.} when they wanted to prevent him from doing Omrah Ibn Al-Qaiem concluded that when non-Muslims or Polytheists ask something which achieves the good and does not exceed the limits of Islam, they should be given what they want. We should not help them with what Allah forbids.  The issue is achieving what Allah loves and stopping what Allah hates or dislikes whatever the people who ask for help, so we can find some of the Prophets companion who found it difficult to cooperate with non-Muslims.

2- The Prophet (PBUH)said {If there is an alliance before Islam, it is much stronger after Islam}. He (PBUH)also praised the alliance of Fodowol which was found in Abdellah Ibn Gadaans homes . Emam Abou Hassan Al Mawardy said [If this cooperation was a political need before Islam, It would be a judgmental right and a Prophetical deed as the Prophet (PBUH) ACCEPTED IT. IBN Al-Atheir said {Alliance} was found as the Prophet (PBUH) made an alliance between Qurish and Ansar (Helpers). Anas said [The prophet (PBUH) made an alliance between the Muhajereen and the Ansar twice. Here, we mean being brothers and helping each other for the good as there is no alliance in Islam with its modern meaning and philosophy. There is no contradiction between these ideas. If the {Alliance} is for helping and spending money on temptation and fight, it is forbidden in Islam. If this {Alliance} is for helping and supporting the morals and the rightness, it is accepted. Islam was found to support the rightness and the fairness, so Islam adopted the {alliance} which supports the rightness and Islam was against the {alliance}which helps with the trials and temptation.

3- Allah the Al-Mighty says in the Holy Quran ((Cooperation with all in what is good and pious, and do not cooperate in what is sinful and aggressive...)). (Surah 5-2)

The Prophet (PBUH) said [Support your brother, in Islam, whether he is transgressed or transgressor.]The support Muslims when they are transgressors, He (PBUH) said [Stop them from transgression.]

4- The practical biography of the prophet (PBUH)assures on cooperation on what achieves the prosperity and the good for Muslms and humanity whether the cooperation is with Muslims or non-Muslims. When the Prophet (PBUH) went to Medina, he wrote a convention between Muslims from Ansar and Muhajereen and the Jews. And here are some of its points:

24- The Jews spend money on fighting beside Muslims.

25- The Jews of ibn Auf are citizens beside the Muslims. Each group has its own religion, followers and they expect they do wrong.

26- Each group has its own finances. They should help each other against those who fight them and nothing harm because of your friends.

44- They should defend Medina as one party.

47- This convention does not prevent stopping transgression or supporting those who are offended. Those who leave Medina are safe, those who stay there are safe as long as they harm no one and Allah is supporting he who is pious and does well.

This is {Sahifa}, convention, needs contemplation to consider the Prophetical genuineness in ordering priorities of the Islamic Community and supporting the new Islamic state. We also have the Safety convention which the Prophet (PBUH} held with Jews of Bani Dhamrah in the Battle of Al-Abwaa in the second year after Hijjrah concluding that:

[In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate  ... This is a message from Mohammed the Prophet of Allah to Bani Dhamrah. You are safe as well as your money and souls are. You are supported unless you fight against Islam. If I need your support, you are to support me].

These acts and incidents proves that, besides the Quran and the Sunnah, it may be accepted to make alliance with non-Muslims as long as it does not exceed the limits of Allah and achieves what Allah loves. Hesitation to practice this choice and practicing it without studying it carefully caused Islam many troubles. Some Muslims practiced this choice in a bad way which caused Muslims to be in a humiliating way.

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