By: Drieza A. Lininding
Salaam, Here is my thought on the Controversial Covenant of Prophet Muhammad PBUH to the Monks from St. Catherine of Sinai (Egypt). There are Among the Muslim Scholars who refute the Authenticity of this said Covenant (Below is an English translation).
The Promise to St. Catherine:
"This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. 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. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world)."
My Take on this: Let me Begin by Qouting some Verses from the Qur'an Surah Al-Anbyah 21:107 to 109:
(O Prophet?) 'We have not sent you except to be a mercy to all mankind:" Declare, "Verily, what is revealed to me is this, your God is the only One God, so is it not up to you to bow down to Him?' But if they turn away then say, "I have delivered the Truth in a manner clear to one and all, and I know not whether the promised hour (of Judgment) is near or far."( Prophet Muhammad is sent as Warner).
In this Covenant Our Prophet Promised the Christian that there will be no compulsion for them to Accept Islam as revealed By Almighty ALLAH (SWT) Qur'an 2:256 “Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things.”
The Covenant goes on saying that that Muslims will not hurt them or Treat them Unfairly: Some Muslims reject this part because of the Qur'anic Verse which Says: Qur'an 5:51 O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your protectors: They are but protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. (Some Debates on the Meaning of "Awliya" some Scholars Suggest it mean "Friends" But Most Scholars Say it's "Protectors" I go for the latter.) There are related Verses regarding not taking the Jews and Christians as Ally or Protector but most of these Verses are Applicable During a state of "WAR" (Darul-Harb) and Only to those Hostile to Muslims.
In this Covenant Muhammad (SAW) and the Muslims is the Protector not the Other way around, Islam Only Prohibit us in taking as Friends those who wage War Against us or those that Persecute the Muslims like (ISRAEL Regime). In another place in the Qur'an, Allah Almighty says:
“Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them. For Allah loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your homes and support others in driving you out, from turning to them for protection (or taking them as wali). Those who seek their protection they are indeed wrong- doers.” (Al-Mumtahinah: 8-9).
The Prophet Muhammad Also Promised to Non-Hostile Christians that their House of Worships will not be Destroyed i found some relevant hadiths regarding this and i Qoute : “Do not kill the monks in monasteries, and do not kill those sitting in places of worship. (Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal)
“Do not destroy the villages and towns, do not spoil the cultivated fields and gardens, and do not slaughter the cattle.” (Sahih Bukhari; Sunan Abu Dawud)
In this Covenant also Our Prophet Muhammad Promised the Christian Women in case of Marriage by a Muslim Man that their Consent will be Sought first this is Clearly expounded in Surah Al-Maidah verse 5: "... And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers."
In Sum, Muslims will not Fight those who Do Not Fight them and Keep their Covenant to the Muslims Firm and Upward or Those who respect the Muslims(Respect begets Respect)--Muslims are Enjoined to Fight only those who Fight them because of faith or those who Uproot them From their Homes or those who Aid or Connive Against them- Like What is Happening in Gaza. The Exemptions in Surah Taubah is Very Clear Qur'an 9:4 Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].
So with this, I can say that with regards to the Claims of this Covenant this is Authentic. (Only ALLAH (S.W.T) knows the Truth and May He Forgive me, am Just his Servant.
