SMC No. 1/2014 etc 25 “Let there be no compulsion in religion; truth stands clear from error: whoever rejects false gods and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things.8” 26. Not only does Islam give the freedom of religions freedom to non-Muslims, its tolerant law extends to the preservation of their places of worship9. ALLAH says in the Quran: “(They are) those who have been evicted from their homes without right ---- only because they say, ‘Our Lord is God.’ And was it not that God checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of God is much mentioned (praised). And God will surely support those who support Him (meaning His cause). Indeed, God is Powerful and Exalted in Might.10” 27. The Muslim Caliphs used to order their military leaders who went on military campaigns to take steps to guarantee this matter. The first example is the command of Abu Bakr to Usman ibn Zayd: “I command you to do then things: kill no woman, no child, nor an elderly person; do not cut down fruit trees, or vandalize homes, or burn it, do not be treacherous; do not be cowardly; and you will pass by people who have devoted themselves to monastery life; leave them alone to their devotions.11” 28. The second example is the treaty of Umar ibn al- Khattab with the people of Iliya of Jerusalem: “This is the security given by the slave of God, Umar, the Commander of the Faithful, to the people of Iliya: they are guaranteed the security if their persons, possessions, churches, crucifixes, and everyone within, whether sick or in good health, as well as everyone in their community. Their churches will not be occupied or demolished, nor will 8 Holy Quran (2:256) 9 Aayed, Saleh Hussain, ‘Huquq Ghayr al-Muslimeen fi Bilad il-Islam, p.23-24 10 Holy Quran (22:40) 11 Tabari, Tarirk al-Tabari, vol 3, p.210