As the following verse; if God had not driven some people back by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, where God’s name is mentioned much, would have been pulled down and destroyed, (Surat Al-Hajj: 40) points out, Jewish and Christian places of worship are regarded by Muslims as holy places in which God’s name is remembered. Thus, as it is their responsibility to protect such places, throughout Islamic history all Jewish and Christian houses of worship have been protected so that the Jews and Christians can pray and worship in them as they please. For instance, historic documents signed during Abu Bakr’s (ra) reign state that the Christians of the peacefully taken city of Tabarriya were given guarantees that their churches would not be harmed. Likewise, the agreement signed after the conquest of Damascus stated that churches would not be destroyed or occupied. Umar’s (ra) covenant to the people of Jerusalem guaranteed the protection of all places of worship.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 06:11:45 +0000