How does Islam treat minorities? Do they give them the same right, they get in Non-Muslim countries?
Islam emphasizes justice and kindness toward all individuals, including minorities. The Qur'an clearly states the importance of treating those who do not engage in hostilities against Muslims with fairness and compassion. For instance, in Surah Al-Mumtahana, it states: Allah forbiddeth you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loveth the just dealers.
60:8. This verse underscores that Muslims are encouraged to maintain just and friendly relations with non-Muslims who have not harmed them.
Moreover, the Qur'an also addresses the situation of Muslims who have fled from oppression, instructing believers to provide support and protection. Surah Al-Anfaal mentions: Lo! those who believed and left their homes and strove with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah, and those who took them in and helped them: these are protecting friends one of another.
8:72. Here, the emphasis is on mutual support among believers and their allies, illustrating the value placed on community and solidarity.
In terms of specific rights, Islamic teachings advocate for the protection of the rights of minorities. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized treating all individuals with respect, stating in a hadith: When you meet your enemy from the polytheists, call them to one of three options or a truce. If they respond to one, accept it and cease fighting them.
Sunan Abu Dawud 15:136. This reflects the principle that even in conflict, there are guidelines to ensure dignity and rights are upheld.
Overall, Islam encourages a framework that seeks to treat minorities with the same respect and rights that individuals would expect in non-Muslim countries, promoting justice, compassion, and coexistence.
Sources
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60:8 · Al-Mumtahana
60:8 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَٰرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ
Allah forbiddeth you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loveth the just dealers.
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8:72 · Al-Anfaal
8:72 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَٰهَدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاوَوا۟ وَّنَصَرُوٓا۟ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَلَمْ يُهَاجِرُوا۟ مَا لَكُم مِّن وَلَٰيَتِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُوا۟ ۚ وَإِنِ ٱسْتَنصَرُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ فَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلنَّصْرُ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍۭ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُم مِّيثَٰقٌۭ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌۭ
Lo! those who believed and left their homes and strove with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah, and those who took them in and helped them: these are protecting friends one of another. And those who believed but did not leave their homes, ye have no duty to protect them till they leave their homes; but if they seek help from you in the matter of religion then it is your duty to help (them) except against a folk between whom and you there is a treaty. Allah is Seer of what ye do.
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Sunan Abu Dawud 15:136
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 15, Hadith 136 · Narrated by Suleiman ibn Buraidah's father
Whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) appointed a commander over a detachment or army, he advised him to fear Allah privately and to treat the Muslims under him kindly. He said, 'When you meet your enemy from the polytheists, call them to one of three options or a truce. If they respond to one, accept it and cease fighting them. First, invite them to Islam; if they accept, accept it and stop fighting. If they refuse, call them to migrate from their land to the land of the emigrants, informing them that if they do so, they will have what the emigrants have and be subject to their duties. If they refuse and choose to stay in their land, inform them they will be like nomadic Muslims; God's laws will apply to them like true believers, but they will have no share in the spoils unless they fight alongside the Muslims. If they refuse again, call them to pay the jizya; if they agree, accept it and cease hostilities. If they refuse, seek help from Allah and fight them. When you besiege a fortress and they ask you to implement God's law upon them, do not accept, because you cannot be sure of God's ruling with them; instead enforce your own ruling and afterward deal with them as you see fit.'
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