Religious Problem in India

Author(s): Annie Besant
Publisher: Theosophist Office Adyar

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THE RELIGIOUS PROBLEM IN INDIA
they embrace Islām, they are surely directed; but if they turn their backs, verily into thee belongeth preaching only.”* And the Propliet gave a remarkable definition of an 'infidel': “The infidels are unjust doers," + evil actors, not those merely outside Muhammadanism, for, as we shall see, Islām, in the mouth of the Prophet, was by no means identical with that of his followers. “If they depart from yon and fight not against yon, and offer yon peace, God doth not allow you to take or kill them.”
Is it fair to ignore these teaching's, spoken in the inidst of war, struggle and oppression, and pitch only upon the phrases which were spoken to inspire a minority to battle against a majority, as every general would speak when he is going into battle ? Such were the words spoken by the Prophet as absolute' commands.
And look at his own conduct as illustrating his teaching. Never a wrong done him that he did not forgive; never an injury that he was not ready to pardon. Omy Brothers, try to see a man as he is, not throngh a veil of prejudice. There are faults in every faith ; there are errors in the practice of all men. Ignorant followers often act wrongly, where Prophets speak the truth. Judge then a religion by its noblest, and not by its worst, and then we shall learn to love each other as brothers, and not hate each other as bigots and as fanatics. Turn now from the life of the Founder-and yon
*Ibid, Chap. ii. + Ibid, Chap. ii. Ilid, Chap. iv.