Mr Abdul Bari Masoud has nicely given an account of the shelter and protection granted to Jews living in the Muslim world (Radiance, 31December 2023). During the rule of Prophet Muhammad ﷺin Madinah, the Jews living there were granted autonomy and allowed to enjoy rights and privileges as Muslims.
Islam is a religion promoting peace and teaching its adherents to live and co-exist with followers of other faiths in peace and harmony. Hatred and hostility are contrary to the tenets of Islam. Non-Muslims living in Muslim countries are treated as Protected People (dhimmis) and Muslims have a religious duty owed to them to safeguard their life and property at any cost.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺsaid: “On the Day of Resurrection I shall dispute with him who persecutes a protected person (dhimmi) or infringes his right or puts a burden on him beyond his capacity or snatches away anything from him against his will.” (Abu Dawood).
The Qur’an is evermore in opposition to persecution and injustice done to a person whatever be his/her faith, colour or nationality: “For persecution is worse than slaughter.” (4:191, 217)
“And when you judge between man and man, judge with justice and kindness.” (4:58,90).
Jews and Christians are revered in the Qur’an by addressing them “O, the People of the Book,” signifying O Learned People or O Wise People.
Conversely, Mr. Masoud has highlighted the persecution and oppression meted out to Jews by white Christians for centuries. Adolf Hitler, the despot killed six million Jews in Germany in 1943. Even he requested the governments of some other countries to hand over Jewish people living in those countries to him. Muslim countries did not comply with his request. William Shakespeare exhibits anti-Jew attitude in some of his dramas. Even anti-Semitism is now growing and prevailing, especially in Europe, the US and South Africa.
What is the reason of growing anti-Jew attitude in the Christian world? To my limited knowledge, the reason is that the Christians believe that Jesus Christ was killed on the Cross by Jews for claiming himself to be “The King of Jews”. (Mark 15:6-20) Jesus was mocked by Jewish leaders before he was crucified as per some Christian literature.
Additionally, the Qur’an states that Jews made a collusion to slay Jesus on the Cross but Allah, the Exalted saved and raised him unto Himself (4:157-158). Islam teaches that Jesus lives with the Mercy of Allah in Paradise and will descend to the earth just before the Day of Resurrection.