Non-Muslims have been living peacefully in Muslim countries for centuries.

^[1] Non-Muslims used to lead a normal life in the Muslim state, without being harassed concerning their beliefs or scriptures. Indeed, at the arrival of the Prophet, peace and blessings of God be on him, at Medinah, he included the following article in the document which represented a constitution for life in Medinah :

And the companions of the Messenger followed his lead in treating non-Muslims. Abu Bakr, may God favour him, told one of his army leaders : "... You will come across persons who have devoted themselves to worship in the seclusion of cells, so let them alone..."

There is a long tradition in Islamic history of allowing followers of other religions to practice their religions and to adhere to their faith. No one was coerced to accept Islam.

It is well-known to all that this tolerant attitude was not the result of weakness in the Muslim state. It was adopted at the peak of power when the state was growing. It would have been quite easy to force people to Convert to Islam, but this was not done.

Marriage

A Muslim man who marries a Christian or a Jewish woman may not compel her to abandon her religion and become a Muslim . She has full right to adhere to her religion, and if she does she enjoys all the rights of a wife.

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(1.) Taken from the book, A Refutation of Doubts About Current Issues -  pg: 26 - 27

(2.) See the Sirah of Ibn Hisham, Vol. II, pp. 148-149, and Tafseer of Ibn Katheer, Vol. 1ll, (pp. 246 - 247).