The Prophet of Islam came in the first quarter of the seventh century. The Prophet began his mission in Makkah and stayed there for 13 years. Then he went to Madinah where he stayed for 10 years. There are two periods of the prophetic mission, Makkan and Madinese. Makkah at that time had people of three religions: polytheism, Christianity and Islma. The majority was of the polytheists. This was followed by Islam. There were a few Christians also present, e.g. Warqah ibn Nawfal. 

What was the formula given there? The formula was: لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ (109:6). For you your religion, for me mine. What is the meaning of this? This principle can be formulated as: Follow one and respect all. There can be no formula better than this. If a person believes in a religion and is deep-rooted in it, then you shouldn’t try to eliminate that religion. Leave him the way he is. But you can demand something else from him: You shouldn’t hate people of other religions. You have to tolerate the people of other religions.

This formula is based on tolerance. Tolerance is the best formula in every respect. There are people of different taste in every house. Some are vegetarian, some non-vegetarian. Some prefer white clothes, some prefer other colours. Some like coffee, others like tea. Family life, social life, national life -- in all these places you co-exist with others. Co-existence is the best formula in this world. You seek the right to live for yourself and give others the right to live. For you your religion, for me mine means follow one and respect all. This is the best formula. You can follow it any day. The moment you adopt this formula, it will begin to work. You don’t have to initiate a campaign to adopt this formula. You don’t have to change people. You can follow this formula without the need for change, in your existing position. Every moment, this formula is practicable. This is the formula that was followed in Makkan period of Islam.