Implementation of Religious Freedom

How did Hazrat Umar (ra) implement the religious freedom afforded by Islam? After the conquest of Alexandria, its ruler sent a message to Hazrat Amr (ra) bin al-Aas saying, “Among the other Arab nations, I used to pay tax to more contemptable nations than you”, i.e. the Persians and Byzantines. “If you wish, then I am prepared to pay you a tax as well, on the condition that you free the prisoners of war from my area.”

Hazrat Amr (ra) bin al-Aas wrote a letter addressed to the Caliph, explaining the situation. Hazrat Umar (ra) replied, “Suggest to the ruler of Alexandria that he should pay the tax, but the prisoners of war who are in your”, i.e. the Muslim’s “custody should be given the choice of either accepting Islam or to remain on the faith of their people. Those who become Muslim will join the Muslims and will have the same rights and responsibilities as other Muslims. However, those who remain on their faith, will be subject to the same tax as others of their faith.” Hence Amr (ra) bin al-Aas gathered all the prisoners and read to them the instructions received from the Caliph. Many of the prisoners became Muslims.

(Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2, pp. 512-513, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2012)

There is an incident which illustrates how careful Hazrat Umar (ra) was when it came to religious freedom. Once, an elderly Christian lady went to Hazrat Umar (ra) due to some need. Hazrat Umar (ra) advised her, “Become a Muslim and you will be safe. Allah sent Muhammad (sa) with the truth.” She replied, “I am an old woman and death is drawing near.” He fulfilled her need; however, he feared that what he did would be likened to taking advantage of her need and forcing her to become Muslim. Thus, he sought repentance from Allah the Almighty for this and said, “O Allah, I only showed her the right path, I did not force her.” Thus, he was very careful in this regard.

(Sirat Umar binaAl-Khattab, Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, p. 101, Dar-ul-Ma‘rifah Beirut)

Then, there is another incident. Hazrat Umar (ra) had a Christian slave whose name was Ashaq. He says, “I was Hazrat Umar’s (ra) slave. He said to me, ‘Become a Muslim, so that I may seek your help in certain matters pertaining to the Muslims, as it is not appropriate for me to seek help from non-Muslims in matters that pertain to Muslims.’” The slave says, “However, I refused. Hazrat Umar (ra) said:

لَآ‭ ‬اِكْرَاهَ‭ ‬فِي‭ ‬الدِّيْنِ

“That is, there is no compulsion in the religion of Islam [Ch.2: V.257]. When Hazrat Umar (ra) was about to pass away, he freed me and said, ‘Go wherever you please.’”

(Syyedna Umar bin al-Khattab Shakhsiyyat Aur Kaarname, Dr Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, Urdu translation, p.184, Al-Furqan, Muzaffar Ghar, Pakistan)