The Attitude of Muslims Toward Jews in Islamic Civilization
Islamic Tolerance and the Jewish Response
When
Islam entered Spain in 93 AH (711 CE), Jews were condemned to expulsion, the
confiscation of their property, and forced baptism for their children upon
reaching the age of seven. Thus, Islam served as a lifeline, rescuing them from
this miserable fate. Consequently, they welcomed the Muslims, who in turn
granted them access to high offices and a dignified life. Throughout the eight
centuries of Muslim presence in Andalusia (93–897 AH / 711–1492 CE), they lived
in prosperity, honor, and wealth.
Some of
them even rose to the rank of vizier (minister). However, the Jewish vizier,
Ibn Nagrela, went so far as to author a book attacking Islam—despite serving as
a minister in a Muslim state. In response, Abu Muhammad ibn Hazm (d. 456 AH)
penned his famous treatise titled: 'Al-Radd 'ala Ibn Nagrela' (The
Refutation of Ibn Nagrela).
As long
as Muslims remained powerful, Jews continued to enjoy this Islamic tolerance, a
fact testified to by fair-minded historians. However, when Muslim power began
to wane following the defeat of the Almohad Caliphate at the Battle of Las
Navas de Tolosa in 609 AH (1212 CE), the Jews—as was their custom—turned their
backs on the Muslims and betrayed them. They aligned themselves with the
advancing Christian forces, leaving no stone unturned to curry favor with the
Christians at the expense of Muslims. They exposed the vulnerabilities of the
Muslims, aided the Christians in capturing Andalusian cities, and openly
welcomed them in order to rid themselves of Muslim rule.
Such was
the stance of Muslims in Andalusia, and such was the attitude of the Jews
toward them; tolerance and justice were met with betrayal and perfidy!
The Tables Turned: Jews and the Spanish Inquisition
As time
came full circle, the Christians began to feel they no longer needed the
services of the Jews, realizing that the future of Spain necessitated their
exclusion. Consequently, they reverted to treating them as they naturally had
during the fifteen centuries prior. They expelled them, confiscated their
wealth, and forced them to feign conversion to Christianity. Thus, the Jews
bore a heavy share of the horrors of the Inquisition, which burned Muslims,
expelled them, and seized their fortunes—serving as a divine lesson to all who
betray their covenants.
Astonishingly,
while nearly one hundred and fifty thousand Jews were being expelled from Spain
and Western Europe under these brutal conditions, the Islamic world opened its
arms to them. It offered them refuge and a place within its territories as
though they had done nothing. This stood as yet another profound testament to
the inherent nature of Islamic civilization and the true spirit of the Muslim
faith.
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