Interpretation of the holy book

(a) The first one was revealed when the people belonging to influential Quraish tribe of Mecca proposed to the Prophet (Pbuh) that for peaceful co-existence there should be a peace deal. The proposal was like this "One year the idolaters will pray to Allah and one year the Prophet (Pbuh) will pray to their idols." This Sura Kaferun was the reply to that proposal. The proposal was rejected because a Muslim cannot be an idolater for one year and Muslim for another year. This does not mean that Muslims compromised or had a lenient view of their religion in the early days at Mecca as claimed by the writer.

(b) The other verse i.e. IX-29 which has been quoted was revealed in the background of the Battle of Tabuk. Muslims were ordered to fight till the enemy surrendered and agreed to pay Jyzia which is the proof of subordination. Jyzia means exchange. In exchange of safety and security the non-Muslims should pay Jyzia. Poor, handicapped, children, old, women, priests were exempted from paying Jyzia. In this connection Muhammad (Pbuh) said, " If anyone oppresses non-Muslim citizens, I will side with the oppressed non-Muslims against that oppressor."

The main purpose of writing this letter is that it is better not to comment on such sensitive issues, especially religion.