St. Francis and the Sultan

This is an account of St. Francis meeting with the Sultan. It gives a powerful message of peace and hope for all of us, Christians and Muslims, and by extension, all peoples.

"Francis was sick of the fighting. Sick of war being waged in the name of the Prince of Peace. He left Assisi for the lands of the Crusades. He would demand an audience with the Sultan. He would explain everything, the merciful teachings of Christ. On behalf of his Muslim brothers, the Sultan would forgive Francis' Christian brothers. He would be so moved that he would lay down his arms and follow Christ.

Malik al-Kamil had heard about the Poor One of Assisi. Having spent his life learning the mystical side of Islam, the Sultan saw Francis as a fellow Sufi. It would not take much to awaken his Christian brother, who would remember his true nature and embrace Islam.

"As'salaam alaykum, Peace be upon you", the Sultan greeted when Francis entered his tent.

"Alaykum as'salaam, May God's peace be upon you too," Francis answered.

Francis knelt before Malik.

"Tell me about your faith," said the Sultan. "I wish to know what lights a heart such as yours on fire."

Francis spoke with a rush of passion and joy, anguish and acceptance. Malik listened with gratitude and respect. At last, the Sultan whispered, "La ilahha, il allah". The Friar echoed "There is no God but God".

"Muhammadah rasulullah," Malik added. "And Muhammad is his messenger".

Francis smiled. "And Jesus is his word made flesh."

The Sultan hugged Francis. "I'm afraid today is not my day to become a Christian," Malik said, though your faith is beautiful."

"Nor will I convert to Islam," Francis said, though your Prophet seems to understand the teachings of my Lord.

"Thank you for your wisdom," said the Sultan. "You are always welcome here. Pray for me, my brother, and farewell."

(From The Admonitions, V)

What this beautiful story shows is the way for religious harmony. We must always believe in our faith and not every faith, as some do, but we must never force it on others. Our job is always to "propose, not impose".

We should never treat bringing others into our respective faiths as some sort of race. It is a journey, for them and for us. Even the Quran says "There is no compulsion in matters of faith..." (Surah al-Baqarah: 256). The Church teaches something similar.