Islam Rediscovered
22. The Role of Non-Muslims in Islamic Development
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This man began, therefore, to negotiate between the
two parties and history tells us that it was he who
cleared the path to peace at this juncture between
the two rival parties. It was because of his efforts
that the enemy decided to lift the siege of the city of
Madinah and return to their homes.
Islamic history contains many examples of the role
played by non-Muslims in the development of
Islam. This principle of non-Muslim involvement in
Islamic development can also be extended from an
individual level to the level of an entire group.
In the present day context, Western Civilization is
an appropriate example. Although Western
Civilization developed in non-Muslim societies
without any direct contribution from the Muslim
minds, it is helpful for Islam in many aspects. For
example, it is this Western Civilization that finally
ended religious persecution and opened the door
for religious freedom and
da’wah
. Similarly, it is this
Western Civilization which has developed the
modern means of communication that has made it
possible for Muslims to do
da’wah
work on a global
scale. Also, modern scientific discoveries made in
