TOLERANCE AS PRACTICED BY THE CALIPHS

    The Muslim Caliphs, who ruled after the Prophet (pbuh), followed his teachings concerning the treatment of non-Muslims. Abu Baker, who was the first Caliph, followed these same principles when Osama, the head of the Muslim army went into Damascus. He also advised that Osama fulfill his promise with those who sign a treaty and urged him to be merciful in war with those who did not fight. Their wealth should be protected and they should be allowed to practice their religion peacefully.

TOLERANCE AS PRACTICED BY THE CALIPHS     The Muslim Caliphs, who ruled after the Prophet (pbuh), followed his teachings concerning the treatment of non-Muslims. Abu Baker, who was the first Caliph, followed these same principles when Osama, the head of the Muslim army went into Damascus. He also advised that Osama fulfill his promise with those who sign a treaty and urged him to be merciful in war with those who did not fight. Their wealth should be protected and they should be allowed to practice their religion peacefully.     Also under the rulership of Abu Bakr, Khalid, the son of Al Walid, contracted with the people of Al Herah that he would not tear down any of their synagogues, churches or castles. He further promised that they would not be prevented from ringing their bells or from taking out their crosses during times of feast. They were free to practice their religion as long as they did not assist an Unbeliever in defeating a believer, or spy in favor of them.     Although Omar, the second Caliph, was known as being rather strict, he was kind and fair with the people of the book. When the Muslim army was sent to Persia, Omar advised Saad Ibn Abi Waqas to keep the soldiers away from the villages of the people of Souluh, with whom they were in peace, and the Zimmi. He further instructed Ibn Waqas not to allow any of his friends to enter the villages, unless he knew that the person was trustworthy and of good moral character. He also recommended that nothing be taken from these villages because they have the inviolability and the protection of the Muslims. There was a warning not to oppress those who made peace, despite their war with others.     Through this recommendations, we observe that the function of the Islamic army was not to make the land of the innocent into battlefield. The purpose of that army is only to stop oppression and mischief.     When Omar went to Jerusalem, an event occurred that further shows his concern for other faiths. This is when he visited the Church of Resurrection.     It was time for noon prayer and Omar wanted to perform his prayer. The clergyman asked him if he would like to pray in the church. Omar declined, and said that he preferred to pray outside. When he was asked about the reason for his preference, he stated that he was cautious because the Muslims may want to pray in that church in the future, since he prayed inside. Soon afterward, his prediction came to pass and the Muslims built a Mosque where Omar had performed his prayers.     Another event that took place during Omar’s ruling period that shows his concern for the human being is: Omar passed an old blind man who was going door to door begging for money. He asked him from which of the people of the book are you? The man answered that he was a Jew. Omar asked, “What made you revert to such an act?” The man replied that it was due to the Jeziah, necessity, and old age. Omar took the man by the hand to his home and helped him with what he had. He then sent the man to the Muslim monetary and told the person who was in charge to take care of him and all others like him. Omar said, “I swear that we were not fair with him. We profited from his youth, and then abandoned him in his old age.     Another incident that demonstrates the extent of Islamic justice and tolerance is one that occurred during the Caliphate of the fourth Caliph, Ali. He had lost his shield and it was discovered to be in the possession of a Jew. Ali told the Jew that the shield was his, whereupon the man denied it. The matter was taken to court. The judge who saw the case asked Ali, the Caliph of the Muslims, if he had any proof that the shield was his. He said that he had his son’s testimony. The judge moved not to accept this, because the testimony would be biased; so the Muslim judged decided in favor of the Jew. This illustrates that even though