Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Peaceful Coexistence
Before Muhammad had left Mecca he was militarily weak and consequently he commanded his followers not to fight or retaliate against their persecutors. These orders would later be abrogated by new commands that called for Muslims to defend themselves if they are attacked; new commands which themselves would later be abrogated by even newer commands that ordered Muslims to attack and subdue all non-Muslims (Kuffar).
Qur'an
It is not the duty of Muslims to make non-Muslims see that Islam is the true religion.
Allah calls all people to the abode of peace and will rewards those who answer.
And Allah invites to the abode of peace and guides whom He pleases into the right path.
"God's will and plan, in allowing limited free-will to man, is, not to force man's will, but to give all guidance, and leave alone those who reject that guidance, in case they should repent and come back into grace. But in all cases, in so far as we are given the choice, we shall be called to account for all our actions..."
Invite non-Muslims to Islam by preaching to them.
Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.
Muhammad was not sent by Allah to dispose of the affairs of men.
Do not readily retaliate when attacked, since Allah will have the evil people destroy themselves.
Seest thou not that We have set the Evil Ones on against the unbelievers, to incite them with fury?
Be patient with the evil words that are said by people.
Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (their punishment) must necessarily have come; but there is a Term appointed (for respite).
Be patient and let the non-Muslims see that Islam is the true religion.
And if We had inflicted on them a penalty before this, they would have said: "Our Lord! If only Thou hadst sent us a messenger, we should certainly have followed Thy Signs before we were humbled and put to shame."
Allah has sent Muhammad only to warn non-Muslims.
Leave non-Muslims to their ignorance.
It is best if you do not retaliate against your persecutors, but rather seek refuge in Allah.
Do not argue with innocent Christians and Jews, but rather emphasize your common monotheism.
Allah is with those who struggle for him.
Turn away from those who reject Islam and say "Peace" to them.
(Allah has knowledge) of the (Prophet's) cry, "O my Lord! Truly these are people who will not believe!"
Do not retaliate against them, since Allah will eventually punish them.
So leave them alone until they encounter that Day of theirs, wherein they shall (perforce) swoon (with terror),-
The Day when their plotting will avail them nothing and no help shall be given them.
And verily, for those who do wrong, there is another punishment besides this: But most of them understand not.
Bear patiently with those who do not accept Islam.
And bear patiently what they say and avoid them with a becoming avoidance.
Be kind to the indigent, orphaned, and captives.
And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive,-
Non-Muslims shall have their religion and Muslims shall have their religion.
Say : O ye that reject Faith!
I worship not that which ye worship,
Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
See Also
- Jihad (Primary Sources) - A hub page that leads to other articles related to Jihad (Primary Sources)