'' *LETTER TO SAINT CATHERINE* '' : SACRED GLOBAL SPECIAL

 

The '' Charter of Privileges to Christians '' functions as a guiding beacon for Muslims in nurturing their interactions with Christians.

AMONG THE most cherished records is a letter attributed to Prophet Muhammed [ peace be upon him ] addressed to monks in the year 628.

*- Encapsulated within this document is an earnest call for Muslims to safeguard the Christian population dwelling within their communities.

*- SAINT CATHERINE'S MONASTERY is located at the foot of Mt. Sinai and is the world's oldest monastery. It possesses a huge collection of Christian manuscripts, second only to the Vatican, and is a world heritage site.

*- It also boasts the oldest collection of Christian icons. It is a treasure house of Christian history that has remained safe for 1400 years under Muslim protection.

In 628 AD, a delegation from St Catherine's Monastery came to Prophet Mohammed [ peace be upon him ] and requested his protection.

The response to the request was a letter referred to as the '' Charter of Privileges to Christians '' and  reads as follows :

'' This is a message from Muhammed ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. Verily I, the servants and helpers, and my followers defend them, because  Christians, are my citizens, and by Allah I holdout 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 the 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 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 nations [ Muslims ] is to disobey the covenant till the  LAST DAY [end of the world].

The World Students Society thanks author Muhammad Ali Falak - a Fulbright Alumni.