How did Islamic law affect Muslim attitude towards christians and Jews?

Answer 1

Islamic law is actually secular - Islam does not have a clergy or institution like you'll find in Christianity and Judaism. This means Islamic jurisprudence deals with Muslims as it does people of other faiths.

But there are certain distinct privileges within the faith which are reserved for Muslims. Things like Zakat (alms to the poor) but they can be spread to include non-Muslims as "sadaqa" (alms to the poor in general).

Its not the religion or laws that affected Muslims attitudes towards other faiths, but the various cultures and politics of Muslims around the world.

Answer 2

The basic Islam religion principle is to deal with all religions and cultures peacefully, kindly, and with respect. However, if Muslims got subject to invasion by any people, including Christians, Jews, or any religion or culture, then sure those invaders will be enemies and should resisted.

In the Quran, Holy book of Islam, God has said (meaning English Translation):

" God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your homes. God loves just dealers."[Quran, chapter 60, verse 8]

Even in time of resisting attackers and invaders, Prophet Muhammad (peace upon him) settled the rules during any military conflict and prohibited soldiers from killing women, children, old people, or any civilian. He commanded them: {...Do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn child.} And he also said: {Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is found for a span of forty years.}

Also, the Prophet Muhammad (peace upon him) listed murder as the second of the major sins (the first major sin is denying the oneness of God), and he even warned that on the Day of Judgment, {The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed.}

God says in Quran that people were created in nations of different religions and beliefs to compete together in doing good deeds for humanity and not to stay in conflicts. In this regards, Quran says:

لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ ۖ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ ۚ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿٤٨﴾

{...To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way. If Allah (God) willed, He would have made you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you; so strive as in a race in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allah; then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ.(48)}

[Quran, chapter 5, verse 48]

One of the main teachings in Islam is to forgive people in order to be forgiven by God. The concept of forgiveness and tolerance is one of the most fundamental tenets of Islam.

Quran says (meaning English translation):

"Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e don't count on their doings" [Quran, chapter 7, verse 199]

Also, Quran says:

"A good action and a bad action are not the same. Repel the bad with something better and, if there is enmity between you and someone else, he will be like a bosom friend." [Quran, chapter 41, verse 34]

God has always described forgiveness as a superior quality and, in one verse, He promised that such behavior will be rewarded. This Quran verse is:

"The repayment of a bad action is one equivalent to it. But if someone pardons and puts things right, his reward is with God. Certainly He does not love wrongdoers." [Quran, chapter 42, verse 40]

In another Quran verse, God describes whom He loves.

"those who give in times of both ease and hardship, those who control their rage and pardon other people - God loves the good-doers" [Quran, chapter 3, verse 134]

From the above it is understood that Islam calls Muslims, when dealing with people (regardless their beliefs, cultures, colors, etc), to show forgiveness, tolerance, and rebelling the bad with better saying and better doing.

See related questions below for more information.
It accepted Christians and Jews as "people of the book."

It accepted Christians and Jews as "people of the book."
Islamic law urges Muslims to:

• respect other beliefs,
• cooperate with non Muslims for mankind benefit,
• spread peace and equal human rights irrelevant to gender, faith, color, and/or nationality, and
• follow the principle of non compulsion in religion

Refer to question below for more information.
Non-Muslim Perspective

Since Islamic Law gives positional supremacy to Islam, but tolerates Jews and Christians provided that they pay additional taxes, it makes many Muslims feel superior to Jews and Christians, but does not find them completely wrong. (Please see additional comments in the Discussion Section re: Muslim Perspective.)

Muslim Perspective (Responding to Above)

• Islam is God religion and faith since start of universe creation. True Christians and Jews are Muslims but believing in different worship rituals and holy book. Islam in its universal meaning is submission to God and hence it is the call of all God prophets including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (Peace be upon them). In this sense there is no supremacy of Muslims (per Quran revelation to prophet Muhammad) and other God religion followers; the Jews and the Christians.
• The additional taxes on non Muslims was imposed in early days of Islam as the non Muslims were not required to participate with Muslims in defending their countries. It was imposed only on those who are capable to participate in the army but are forgiven. No additional taxes is currently imposed on non Muslims in Islamic countries as all country citizens irrelevant to their religions and faiths participate in military services.
• Jews and Christians are fully respected by Muslims and per Islam teachings. They are called people of the book as they are holders of The Bible and Torah that Muslims believe in their divinity.
• Refer to question below for more information.

Islamic law describes Christians and Jews as (fellow) "Children of the Book": Although today's Muslim mullahs will never acknowledge it, the Prophet Muhammad and the Qu'ran were and are highly influenced by the Bible according to Judaism and early Christian teaching. Abraham and Jesus are recognized as 'prophets', although less important than Muhammad. Although Jews and Christians still rank as 'unbelievers' (namely, of Allah's revelations to Muhammad) , they were in the eyes of Muhamad a distinct step higher up compared to people who do not live by the Bible at all.

At the same time, the Muslim rules and laws concerning brotherly love and honest dealing are restricted to fellow-Muslims only. The ultimate goal of devout Muslims should be the spread and dominance of the Muslim faith over all others and assimilation with non-believers is actively discouraged. That does however notmake Christians or Jews 'enemies' of the true faith according to the Muslim faith and laws. It is telling that IS and other radical Muslims don't use Islamic law as an excuse for their attitude towards them. Christians are usually vilified as 'Crusaders", so as people who have made themselves enemies because of and since the Crusades. Muslim attitudes to Jews are mostly influenced by the actions of the State of Israel since 1948 and not by Islamic law.

In conclusion you could say that the influence of Islamic teaching on individual Muslims' attitudes towards Christians and Jews varies widely, depending on each person's temperament, situation and radical or non-radical form of belief. A great many Muslims can be considered moderates. Islamic teaching itself however - while not calling other believers 'enemies'- very clearly places itself and the Muslim faithful above all other religions and its believers.

Answer 3

Islamic law is actually secular - Islam does not have a clergy or institution like you'll find in Christianity and Judaism. This means Islamic jurisprudence deals with Muslims as it does people of other faiths.

But there are certain distinct privileges within the faith which are reserved for Muslims. Things like Zakat (alms to the poor) but they can be spread to include non-Muslims as "sadaqa" (alms to the poor in general).

Its not the religion or laws that affected Muslims attitudes towards other faiths, but the various cultures and politics of Muslims around the world.

Answer 4

Non-Muslim Perspective
Since Islamic Law gives positional supremacy to Islam, but tolerates Jews and Christians provided that they pay additional taxes, it makes many Muslims feel superior to Jews and Christians, but does not find them completely wrong.

Answer 5

Historically
Islamic Law held that Jews and Christians are inferior, but retain the right to live and worship as they like provided that they submit to unequal laws and additional taxation. This meant that Islamic governments would not evict Jews or Christians and they could be part of Islamic society. As a result, many Muslims were on good terms with their Non-Muslim neighbors. However, the legal discrimination did give rise to a number of discriminatory attitudes in the general Muslim population towards Jews and Christians, especially when the minorities tried to assert their rights.

Currently
The answer depends on whether we are discussing how Muslims as individuals are supposed to deal with Non-Muslims as individuals, how Muslim-led governments are supposed to deal with Non-Muslims as communities, or how Muslim communities are supposed to deal with Non-Muslim-led governments. (Q: means a Qur'anic verse that can be consulted to find clarification)

Between Muslims and Non-Muslims as people, Islam teaches its followers to treat those of different, but acceptable religions, such as Judaism and Christianity, with respect and cordiality. Q: 2:136-139. Friendships can occur between Muslims and Non-Muslims, but stronger connections such as intimate relationships are often forbidden unless the non-Muslim is a woman and she consents to have her children brought up as Muslims. Q: 5:5. If the non-Muslim is a man he is not permitted to marry a Muslim woman. If the religion is unacceptable, such as Hinduism or Buddhism, or the person is non-religious, the Muslim is supposed to ignore this person for fear that their beliefs will contaminate the Muslims' thought process. Q: 6:106. Of course, these laws are not stringently followed by everyone, especially in circumstances where Muslims find themselves surrounded by Hindus and Buddhists and would find it impossible to ignore them and so disdain the rule. Most Muslims as individuals find it far easier to follow the idea of tolerating other religions such as is in Q: 109:1-6. However, marriage would be out of the question. Q: 2:221.

Between Muslim-led governments and non-Muslim communities, there is usually a degree of segregation and increased taxation that is supposed to occur, as spelled out in Q: 9:29. Thankfully, most Muslim-led governments no longer engage in the outward actions that defined the Segregated or Dhimmi Status in earlier Islamic States, but there is still a general belief that Muslims should be the priority of a Muslim-led government and that unequal laws are permissible. For example, proselytization of any religion other than Islam is still prohibited in most Muslim-majority countries. Q: 1:6-7, 2:109.

Between Muslim communities and Non-Muslim-led governments, there is often suspicion. Muslims are generally loyal to their Non-Muslim-led countries of residence and have often served proudly in those armies and performed civic duties. However, the Qur'an makes clear that a Muslim should not be loyal to a Non-Muslim-led government. Q: 5:51. The exception to this is if a non-Muslim-led government rules in accordance with Islamic values. Q: 4:59.

Answer 6

Muslim law states that other religions need to be respected and not discriminated against. Muslim Spain was one of the few places in Europe that Jewish residents could live and worship without fear. In places like Venice Italy the Jewish community had to be in the Jewish section of the city behind locked gates by sunset.