SISTERS SUNDAYS: THE PROPHET OF PEACE

St. Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai

Sister Peace's weekly column:

This week I think It would be nice to give you the outstanding and very clear words of the Holy Prophet Mohammad(sa), guidance which if still practised by Muslims around the world, it would be a better and more peaceful place. It is his Charter of Freedom, granted to St Catherine’s Monastery in Mount Sinai in 628.

“I have caused this document to be written for the Christians of the East and West, for those who live near, and for those of the distant lands, for the Christians living at present and for those who will come after, for those Christians who are known to us and for those as well whom we do not know.

Any Muslim violating or distorting what has been ordained will be considered to be violating God’s Covenant and will be transgressing against His Promise and by doing so, will incur God’s Wrath, be he a monarch or an ordinary subject. I promise that any monk or wayfarer who will seek my help on the mountains, in forests, deserts or habitations, or places of worship, I will repel his enemies with my friends and helpers, with all my relatives and with all those who profess to follow me and will defend them because they are my covenant....

“No bishop will be expelled from his bishopric, no monk from his monastery, no priest from his place of worship, and no pilgrim will be detained in his pilgrimage. None of their churches or other places of worship will be desolated or destroyed or demolished....

“I give them my word of honour. They are on my promise and covenant and will enjoy perfect immunity from all sorts of inconveniences. Every help shall be given to them in the repair of their churches. They shall be absolved of wearing arms. They shall be protected by the Muslims. Let this document not be disobeyed till Judgement Day.”