How do Muslims explain this letter of Prophet Muhammad (s) to the Christians? Do Christians know of this?

why would a muslim need to explain this? this is a letter full of love and it shows what actual islam is meant to be like, frendly!

why would muslims need to explain this wen muslims and cxhristians belive in the same god? jesus was a prophet of god as well!

:)

beautiful letter!

You've already asked this Q, so I will give you the same answer, If what you say is true and I have no way to refute it, perhaps it would be a good idea to read this letter to the Muslim Turkish invaders of Cyprus who, since 1974 have systematically raided and despoiled Christian churches in the North of the island. Not content with that, the treasures in the churches were shipped back to Turkey and the churches are now used to house cattle. The Muslims in this case seem to have forgotten their roots.

Questions for you.

Where is the original letter?

Who wrote it since Muhammad couldn't?

In the letter it says:

Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.

No compulsion is to be on them.

Christians were NOT Muhammad's citizens. He didn't hold out against other Muslims and islam, which would definitely displease Christians then as much as it does now. Maybe he said no compulsion is to be on them, but that shows that compulsion was common and used by Muslims.

Sorry, but it means nothing. I don't even know if it's real.

Blah blah blah.

I've read that. I've also read the letter to the Christians of Najran and the Christians of Aylah. Have you?

How about the contract Umar drafted for the Christians under his rule? Have you read that one? The Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains it quite nicely under Quran 9:29.

Islam was revealed in order to be embraced willingly so God will be worshiped with devotion by the people, would any one force another to love something??!!!

Islam is the true religion and the fact that it spread by peace makes more sense than what they feed the people in the media nowadays

Peace and Blessings upon the Messenger of Peace

for hundreds of years the muslim religion was the western worlds most tolerant and lived by the example of this letter...but christians have done everything possible to vilify them and their faith and the muslim people stopped time in their own world and instead of being enlightened they are now living in the stone age

I never heard of it. Weather it be true or not, it will not change the thoughts of one man against another man. And If it is true and does who choose to believe it will also choose to believe the word of God and that he has a son name Jesus Christ Messiah and Lord of all.

> Was the Christianity practiced at that time the same as now?

> There are many sects in Christianity.

This is interesting, I wonder what was the practice of Arab Christians at prophets (saw) time.

explain this to any one ( no god save Allah ) it is very simple but they didn't know

. Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes,

... أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ ...

from dealing kindly and justly with them:

C5421. Even with Unbelievers, unless they are rampant and out to destroy us and our Faith, we should deal kindly and equitably, as is shown by our holy Prophet's own example.

... إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ ﴿٨﴾

for Allah loveth those who are just.

2) Al-Tawba (6)

و ان أَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ ...

6. If one amongst the pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him,

C1253. Even among the enemies of Islam, actively fighting against Islam, there may be individuals who may be in a position to require protection. Full asylum is to be given to them, and opportunities provided for hearing the Word of Allah.

If they accept the Word, they become Muslims and brethren, and no further question arises. If they do not see their way to accept Islam, they will require double protection:

- from the Islamic forces openly fighting against their people, and

- from their own people, as they detached themselves from them.

Both kinds of protection should be ensured for them, and they should be safely escorted to a place where they can be safe. Such persons only err through ignorance, and there may be much good in them.

... فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ كَلاَمَ اللّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُ...

so that he may hear the word of Allah and then escort him to where he can be secure:

C1254. Ma'manah: place or opportunity of being secure from all harm.

...ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لاَّ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٦﴾

that is because they are men without knowledge.

3) Al-Anfal (61)

وَإِن جَنَحُواْ لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللّهِ...

61. But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace,

and trust in Allah:

...إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿٦١﴾

for He is the one that heareth and knoweth (all things).

C1228. While we must always be ready for the good fight lest it be forced on us, even in the midst of the fight we must always be ready for peace if there is any inclination towards peace on the other side.

There is no merit merely in a fight by itself. It should be a joyful duty not for itself, but to establish the reign of peace and righteousness and Allah's Law

4) Al-E-Imran (138)

هَـذَا بَيَانٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٣٨﴾

138. Here is a plain statement to men, a guidance and instruction to those who fear Allah!

وَلاَ تَهِنُوا وَلاَ تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنتُمُ الأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٣٩﴾

139. So lose not heart, nor fall into despair:

for ye must gain mastery if ye are true in faith.

5) Al-Baqara (190)

وَقَاتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلاَ تَعْتَدُواْ ...

190. Fight in the Cause of Allah, those who fight you, but do not transgress limits;

C204. War is only permissible in self-defence, and under well-defined limits. When undertaken, it must be pushed with vigour, but not relentlessly, but only to restore peace and freedom for the worship of Allah.

In any case strict limits must not be transgressed: women, children, old and infirm men should not be molested, nor trees and crops cut down, nor peace withheld when the enemy comes to terms. (R).

... إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبِّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ ﴿١٩٠﴾

for Allah loveth not transgressors.

6) Al-Maeda (8)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّامِينَ لِلّهِ شُهَدَاء بِالْقِسْطِ ...

8. O ye who believe!

stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing,

C706. Cf. 4:135.

... وَلاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلاَّ تَعْدِلُواْ...

and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.

C707. To do justice and act righteously in a favourable or neutral atmosphere is meritorious enough, but the real test comes when you have to do justice to people who hate you or to whom you have an aversion. But no less is required of you by the higher moral law.

... اعْدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ ...

Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah,

... إِنَّ اللّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٨﴾

for Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

And lets not forget what beloved Muhammad (PBUH) said when he recommended the fighters :

“I advise you ten things| Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly.” - Bukhari Volume 004, Book 052, Hadith Number 257.

May Allah bless Muhammad(PBUH) and have mercy on all of us and we thank God for the grace of Islam …

thats a beautiful letter. where did you get it and when was it written? a star from me.