During this month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims are celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be on him. He was born in the sixth century in the middle of a culture of ignorance, when people fought because of their tribal affiliations and religious beliefs and women were treated like camels.

Amid such a poor condition for humanity, Muhammad came to teach humanity, tolerance, humility, equality, justice and compassion. He always emphasized consciousness of God and the divinity of human life as the gate of enlightenment, so that human beings would not enslaved by their own ego and bodily impulses. Karen Armstrong describes Muhammad as a respectful and compassionate man who lived a decent life. She argues that although Islam has often been described in the West as violent and inherently intolerant, Muhammad taught tolerance and compassion toward other religions to all of his followers. Unfortunately, while most Muslims conform to the spirit of his message, others distort his teachings. Now, we see religion is used as reason to incite violence and intolerance.

He showed tolerance and mercy to children, the weak, non-Muslims and religious minorities. One legacy on tolerance is the Constitution of Medina.

The first article of the constitution stated that all the inhabitants of Medina, regardless of religion, race and ancestry were “one nation”. Muslims and non-Muslims should live in harmony, respect and protect each other.

An attack on one religion and tribe was regarded to be an attack on the integrity of Medina.

He also said: “Beware! Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their rights, or burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.” He added: “Who hurts a non-Muslim minority is like hurting me”.

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