How do the Hadith view other religions? To explore the approach of Muslims to other faiths. To evaluate the different approaches to other faiths in the hadiths. Islam and other Religions. Do Now: Mind map what you know already about how Islam views other religions. This can be modern or historic, monotheist or polytheist.

Look at the Hadiths concerning other religions. It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed: By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, he who amongst the community of Jews or Christians hears about me, but does not affirm his belief in that with which I have been sent and dies in this state (of disbelief), he shall be but one of the denizens of Hell-Fire. Look at the Hadiths concerning other religions. Sunan Abu Dawud – Book 14, Hadith 2634 & 2635 Abu Hurairah reported the Apostle of Allah as saying “I am commanded to fight with men till they testify that there is no god but Allah, when they do that they will keep their life and property safe from me, Sahih Muslim – Book 19, Hadith 4294 When you meet your enemies who are polytheists [Christians…], invite them to three courses of action. If they respond to any one of these, you also accept it and withhold yourself from doing them any harm. Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them … If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah’s help and fight them” He Messenger of Allah said: I intend that I should command my young men to gather bundles fuel for me, and then order a person to lead people in prayer, and then burn the houses with their inmates (who have not joined the congregation). Sahih Muslim – Book 4, Hadith 1371 Allah’s Apostle in his fatal illness said, “Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians, for they built the places of worship at the graves of their prophets.” And if that had not been the case, then the Prophet’s grave would have been made prominent before the people. So (the Prophet) was afraid, or the people were afraid that his grave might be taken as a place for worship. (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 23, Number 472) Bullet point what these Hadith are saying about other faiths.

In what way are these hadith different to the hadith before? “Narrated Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, “You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a hole of a lizard, you would follow them.” We said, “O Allah’s Apostle! (do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?” He said, “Whom else?” (Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 422) “There is none born but is created to his true nature (Islam). It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Magian quite as beasts produce their young with their limbs perfect. Do you see anything deficient in them? Then he quoted the Quran., the nature made by Allah in which He has created men there is no altering of Allah’s creation; that is the right religion” (Muslim Book 33, Number 6423) “Beware!  Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their rights, or burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Dawud) In what way are these hadith different to the hadith before? Do you think that Christians and Jews may have a different position to other religions in Islam? “Do not confer on me superiority over Moses, for people will be struck unconscious of the day Resurrection and I will be the first to regain consciousness. And behold! There I will see Moses holding one of the pillars of Allah’s Throne. I will wonder whether he has become conscious before me or he has been exempted because of the unconsciousness he experienced on Mount Sinai.” (Al-Bukhari) “Verily, those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” [al-Baqarah 2:62]

Assess the approach of the Hadith to other religions. 12. You could include: The importance of the Holy Books. Tawhid. Polytheism/Shirk. Elements of Jihad. Differences in what the Hadith says.

Consolidation: Why do you think the Hadith is so varied in its approach to other faiths?