Muslim-Christian Relations in the Era of Prophet Muhammad: Review of Najrān Delegation’s Case in Modern Context

Muslim–Christian relations are as mature as Islamic history itself. Historical evidences state the first interaction of Muslims and Christians occurred in 5th year after nabuwwah (615 AD) when Muslims migrated to Ḥabshah (Abyssinia) and second contact was established after immigration of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to Madinah. After getting socio-political stability in 8th hijrī (629 AD), Muhammad (PBUH) sent letters and ambassadors to different statesmen and religious leaders to spread the Islamic Mission and Message globally. One letter was also sent to the chief Bishop of Najrān. In response, the chief Bishop of Najrān accepted the invitation and personally came to meet the Prophet (PBUH) with his reputed delegation. The beloved Messenger (PBUH) warmly welcomed this delegation. As a result, the peace agreement was reached after some theological debate and discussion. Later on, throughout history, the relations between Muslims and Christians have been in situation of up and down. It’s also a fact that over the centuries, the Muslims-Christians relations had sometimes been one of enmity, sometimes one of rivalry, competition, and encounter. In spite of it, the Najrān’s delegation case has a historical significance in Muslim-Christian relations in the literature of both religions. Therefore, in this study efforts were made to explore the event of Najrān delegation as theological foundations for Muslim-Christian relations in times of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and how can we get benefit from it in modern era. Moreover, this study perceives that the case of Najrān delegation was the first practical interaction between Muslims and Christians of that age. Hence, we could get benefit from it with its modern applications and interpretations. The analytical, comparative and historical approaches have been adopted in this study with qualitative paradigm. I compared and analysed the case in Islamic and Christian context and then gave recommendation for its application.

Determinants of Off-Farm Employment Among Small Farm Holders in Peshawar Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The present study investigated the determinants of off-farm employment among small farmers in Peshawar Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa i. A sample of 298 farm households was selected using random sampling technique and data were collected through a pre-tested interview schedule. This study focuses on three selected districts i.e. Peshawar, Charsadda and Mardan. Six villages were selected two each from the sampled districts. Analysis showed that the coefficients of household size, level of education of the household head, age of the household head, farm underemployment, income from off-farm employment, access to credit were positively related to the off-farm employment. While farm area operated and income from farm output was negatively but significantly related to off-farm employment. There was a significant difference in the off-farm employment among various sizes of farms. In a similar manner it was also seen that the tenants and owner-cum-tenant were involved less in off-farm activities than owners. It was established that owners operated very small farm size of the study area. There was a significant difference among off-farm employment level in the three districts. More of the sampled respondents were involved in off-farm employment in Peshawar followed by Mardan and Charsadda. Similarly small farmers of developed villages perform more off-farm employment than the small farm households of underdeveloped villages. This could be associated to the developed means of transport and communications, better education facilities, market facilities as well as availability of off-farm jobs locally. In developed villages of three districts, average per month income of small farm households from farm output was higher than the undeveloped villages of these districts due to the high sale price of vegetables grown on large area and more milk production. Similarly, in developed villages income from off-farm employment was more than undeveloped villages. Because large number of family labors of small farm households were working on high paid jobs or employed else or self-employed and thus contributed a good amount to their family’s income. The study suggests that with the lessening in the size of land holding unemployment in the agriculture area is probably going to increment. There is a need to make off-farm employment opportunities. Agro based industries appears to potential area to create employment opportunities. All the while there is a need for initiating skill development programs.