JEWISH-MUSLIM RELATIONSHIP
Building Bridges
THIS question often comes up: ‘How to establish Jewish-Muslim relationship?’ We have a model in this regard from the life of the Prophet of Islam.
The Prophet of Islam migrated from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE and spent the rest of his life there. At that time some Jewish tribes were living in Madinah. When we study that period of the Prophet's life, we find examples that give us an authentic and practical model to build a good relationship between Jews and Muslims. (Seerath ibn Ishaq)
It is recorded that the Prophet once organised a trialogue in Madinah in which Muslim, Christian and Jewish representatives participated. Here is a prophetic example showing the importance of dialogue and negotiations between communities and settling all problems through peaceful negotiations.
There are several traditions of the Prophet often visiting Jewish leaders and scholars. He accepted invitations of Jewish leaders to visit their homes and discuss mutual issues. These traditions highlight the importance of interaction between the two communities. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
There is a very interesting story narrated by Al-Bukhari according to which, the Prophet of Islam on noticing a funeral procession passing by stood up in respect. One of his companions said, “O! Prophet it was funeral of a Jew, not a Muslim.” The Prophet replied, “Was he not a human being?”
According to this tradition, the Prophet of Islam saw a commonality between himself and that Jew. It was that both were human beings, created by the one and the same God. These traditions about the Prophet of Islam give us a model for Muslim-Jewish relations and guidance for settling the problems arising between the two communities.
There is a misunderstanding in this regard that must be removed. Some verses in the Quran tell us that Jews are enemies of Muslims. But these verses are neither general nor absolute. These Quranic verses are related only to some contemporary Jews of the Prophet’s time and have nothing to do with the Jewish community as such.
Looking at the Palestinian problem, there is a clear direction in the Quran which says, “As-sulh khair” (4: 128). This means that reconciliation is the best solution. This is the wisdom for managing differences. Muslims must follow this Quranic guidance of peaceful conciliation rather than violent confrontation.
Muslims must follow the Quranic guidance of peaceful conciliation
rather than violent confrontation.
Another relevant teaching of the Prophet of Islam is recorded in Sahih Muslim. It says that God grants to non-violence what He does not grant to violence. This makes it clear that the peaceful method is far more effective than the violent one.
In the light of this, we can safely say that the so called Jewish-Muslim enmity is not advisable; rather it is an artificial state of affairs. By following the true teachings of the Prophet of Islam, we can establish peace between the two communities as well as in the Land of Israel and Palestine.
Compete and Grow Competition
creates challenge, challenge results in motivation, and motivation leads to reaching new heights of success. In this sense, a better saying than ‘compete or perish’ is, ‘compete and grow’.