WAR IN THE QUR'AN & other holy Books

[Muslim Woman]

I seek refuge in Allah (The One God) from the Satan (devil) the cursed, the rejected

With the name of ALLAH (swt) -The Bestower Of Unlimited Mercy, The Continously Merciful


Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh (May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you)


&&&


ISLAM DENOUNCES TERRORISM



God calls to the Abode of Peace and He guides whom He wills to a straight path
(Qur’an, 10:25)



HARUN YAHYA



WAR IN THE QUR'AN


...Only after the following revelation, the Prophet commanded his people to prepare for war:



Permission to fight is given to those who are fought against because they have been wronged – truly God has the power to come to their support – those who were expelled from their homes without any right, merely for saying, “Our Lord is God”… (Qur’an, 22:39-40)


... In other verses, Muslims are warned against the use of unnecessary provocation or violence:



Fight in the Way of God against those who fight you, but do not go beyond the limits. God does not love those who go beyond the limits. (Qur’an, 2:190)



.... The Messenger of God also clarified the attitude Muslims must adopt even when they are in the middle of a raging battle:
Do not kill children. Avoid touching people who devote themselves to worship in churches! Never murder women and the elderly. Do not set trees on fire or cut them down. Never destroy houses


... You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of God, bearing witness with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not being just.
Be just. That is closer to heedfulness. Heed God (alone). God is aware of what you do. (Qur’an, 5:8)


The Meaning of the Concept of "Jihad”
..The exact meaning of “Jihad” is “effort”. Thus, in Islam, “to carry out jihad” is “to show effort, to struggle”.


The Prophet Muhammad (p) explained that “the greatest jihad is the one a person carries out against his lower soul”. What is meant by “lower soul” here is selfish desires and ambitions.




Assessed from the Qur’anic point of view, the word “jihad” can also mean a struggle carried out on intellectual grounds against those who oppress people, treat them unjustly, subject them to torture and cruelty and violate legitimate human rights.



The purpose of this struggle is to bring about justice, peace and equality.


{ Insha Allah , to be continued :statisfie }

 

[afriend]

Do not kill children. Avoid touching people who devote themselves to worship in churches! Never murder women and the elderly. Do not set trees on fire or cut them down. Never destroy houses

If we look the actions of modern day soldiers, and use the Quran as a ground to compare them upon, most soldiers are barbaric. I think the Islamic way of fighting should be implemented in every organised army.

Terrorism however, is not allowed in Islam.

They are terrorists those who do not obey the above rulings on war and fighting that is in the Quran, Muslim or non Muslim.

You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of God, bearing witness with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not being just.
Be just. That is closer to heedfulness. Heed God (alone). God is aware of what you do. (Qur’an, 5:8)

Allah is most just. We should always be just and be careful not to be biased in our judgements.

May Allah make me act upon what I have said and make you all followers of the Quran and Sunnah. Ameen.

ma'salaam.

 

[Woodrow]

From reading this it seems that all weapons of mass destruction are anti-Islamic. I can not see how most modern weapons and explosives can be used in an Islamic manner.

I wonder if maybe we are loosing the concept of war and replacing it with justification for distruction. One of the most formidable weapons of warfare was available to the Prophet(PBUH), yet I have never seen any reference as to where it was every used by Him in warefare. This was "Greek Fire" a very fearsome weapon very similar to napalm but used more like a flame thrower.

It had been used by the Pagan Arabs prior to Islam and it had been used against Muslims. But, nowwhere can I find any evidence that the early Muslims ever used it in warfare.

While there has been much speculation involved in preparation of Greek Fire, no one to date has been able to successfully recreate this concoction. The closest would be the Arabian armies, who eventually created their own version (opinions differ as to exactly when this took place, presumably sometime between the mid-seventh century and the early tenth), but the formula was inexact and, compared to the original Byzantine substance, was relatively weak. This did not stop it from being one of the most devastating weapons of the era. The Arabs used the Greek Fire in very effective ways; much like the Byzantines, they used brass tubes aboard ships and upon castle walls. They also filled small glass jars with the substance, allowing them to hurl it by hand at their opponents. Arrows and spears would be used to carry the mixture further onto the battlefield and gigantic war engines could be used to hurl large amounts of the substance over a castle wall.

Perhaps we would have better outcomes of war if we all stuck to the guidlines of war and stopped trying to expediate them into more efficient wars.

For those that do not know what "Greek Fire" is here is a link:

http://stronghold.heavengames.com/sc/history/greekfire

 

[Muslim Woman]

salaam /peace ;


ISLAM DENOUNCES TERRORISM


---- HARUN YAHYA


http://www.harunyahya.com


Compassion, Tolerance and Humanity in the History of Islam

.... British historian Karen Armstrong, a former nun and an expert on Middle East history. In her book Holy War, which examines the history of the three divine religions, she makes the following comments:

When Mohammad sent his freedman Zaid against the Christians at the head of a Muslim army, he told them to fight in the cause of God bravely but humanely. They must not molest priests, monks and nuns nor the weak and helpless people who were unable to fight.......


...the declaration of protection given to the Nestorian Patriarch Yeshuyab III (650 - 660 AD) again guaranteed that churches would not be demolished and that no building would be converted into a house or a mosque.



The letter written by the patriarch to the bishop of Fars (Persia) after the conquest is most striking, in the sense that it depicts the tolerance and compassion shown by Muslim rulers to the Book of People in the words of a Christian:


They [Abbasids] have not attacked the Christian religion, but rather they have commended our faith, honored our priests... and conferred benefits on churches and monasteries

{ Insha Allah , to be continued }:statisfie

 

[brenton]

Armstrong is very favourable toward Islam, trying to put early Islamic violence into a proper context. I appreciate her perspective, though I often disagree.

I believe no war is holy.
I appreciate the thread.

 

[*charisma*]

Hey,

I believe no war is holy.
I appreciate the thread.

Even if there wasn't Islam, war would still occur.

Islam atleast puts boundaries and limits on war unlike other religions because Allah knows humans will fight each other for whatever reasons.

The world cannot live in peace, ever. It's a beautiful thought, but let's face the facts, people love to belittle each other to give themselves height, whether religion is involved or not. Because this is true, you need something that has a strong stance when it comes to violence, and Islam does alhemdulilah.

peace

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace;

Armstrong is very favourable toward Islam, trying to put early Islamic violence into a proper context. I appreciate her perspective, though I often disagree.

I believe no war is holy.
I appreciate the thread.

-- why u think a Chrsitian lady is very favourable toward Islam ?

I often disagree.

----with which logic ?

I appreciate the thread

--thank u :statisfie

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace;

brenton : Armstrong is very favourable toward Islam, trying to put early Islamic violence into a proper context


----Islam is against violence . Even in war field , Muslims are told to ' ESCORT' enemies if they want to hear the words of God Almighty. ( Chapter 9 , verse 6 ).

http://www.islamicity.com/MOSQUE/ARABICSCRIPT/AYAT/9/9_6.htm

Sura 9 - Ayat 6

At-Tauba (The Repentance)

(Click on Ayat to hear it recited)


English (Yusuf Ali): (Recite)


9:6 If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah. and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge.



Turkish:
9:6 Eger müsriklerden biri, senden 'eman isterse', ona eman ver; öyle ki Allah'in sözünü dinlemis olsun, sonra onu 'güvenlik içinde olacagi yere ulastir.' Bu, onlarin elbette bilmeyen bir topluluk olmalari nedeniyledir.


French:
9:6 Et si l'un des associateurs te demande asile, accorde-le lui, afin qu'il entende la parole d'Allah, puis fais-le parvenir à son lieu de sécurité. Car ce sont des gens qui ne savent pas.


German:
9:6 Und wenn einer der Götzendiener bei dir Schutz sucht, dann gewähre ihm Schutz, bis er Allahs Wort vernehmen kann; hierauf lasse ihn die Stätte seiner Sicherheit erreichen. Dies weil sie ein unwissendes Volk sind.


Spanish:
9:6 Si uno de los asociadores te pide protección concédesela, para que oiga la Palabra de Alá. Luego, facilítale la llegada a un lugar en que esté seguro. Es que son gente que no sabe.

 

[brenton]

charismaI do not believe that war is "holy," but I sometimes believe it is necessary. I appreciate the limits that Judaism & Islam (and later Christian princes) put on war, but it is still not holy, IMHO.

muslimwomanI don't know why Armstrong is favourable toward Islam. I think she is a fan, especially of Muhammad. I don't know if she is Christian anymore, but I don't think she has converted to Islam.

On Islamic violence, an example. In her history of Islam, her chapter on Muhammad is all positive. She puts two events into a larger context:
1. The raids on caravans by Muslims
2. The slaughtering of 700 Jewish traitors and selling their wives and children to slavery by Muhammad.
In both cases, she takes what look like difficult events and explains the history around them, the reasons for them, and how they were not so horrific at the time.

Why do I disagree with her sometimes? On the logic of how I see history and religion. I disagree with her view on fundamentalism (logos & mythos), but her attempt is so clear and helpful it makes a good starting point. I disagree with how she reads the growth of Islamic empire, and the reasons behind terrorism today. I disagree with how she reads Genesis in one way (the documentary hypothesis), but enjoy the way she brings Jewish, Christian & Muslim readings together.

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace ;

..... One of the most formidable weapons of warfare was available to the Prophet(PBUH), yet I have never seen any reference as to where it was every used by Him in warefare. This was "Greek Fire" .....

---that's interesting but how can we know that if Muslims had this weapon ?

 

[Woodrow]

Salaam/peace ;




---that's interesting but how can we know that if Muslims had this weapon ?

The Arabs had it. It was only after they accepted Islam that they stopped using it.

While there has been much speculation involved in preparation of Greek Fire, no one to date has been able to successfully recreate this concoction. The closest would be the Arabian armies, who eventually created their own version (opinions differ as to exactly when this took place, presumably sometime between the mid-seventh century and the early tenth), but the formula was inexact and, compared to the original Byzantine substance, was relatively weak. This did not stop it from being one of the most devastating weapons of the era. The Arabs used the Greek Fire in very effective ways; much like the Byzantines, they used brass tubes aboard ships and upon castle walls. They also filled small glass jars with the substance, allowing them to hurl it by hand at their opponents. Arrows and spears would be used to carry the mixture further onto the battlefield and gigantic war engines could be used to hurl large amounts of the substance over a castle wall.

The source is the link I posted in the earlier post. The Arabs were very skilled Chemists and historicaly there is much reference to their use of Greek fire and other devastating weapons, including explosives. This stopped when they all accepted Islam. I think historicaly it is worthy to note they did not use any of these type weapons against the crusaders.

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam;

The Arabs had it. It was only after they accepted Islam that they stopped using it.



The source is the link I posted in the earlier post. The Arabs were very skilled Chemists and historicaly there is much reference to their use of Greek fire and other devastating weapons, including explosives. This stopped when they all accepted Islam. I think historicaly it is worthy to note they did not use any of these type weapons against the crusaders.

thanks bro :bravo: for the wonderful info......i had no idea about this. I wonder , why it's not mentioned in other Islamic sites i regularly visit ? Perhaps they also don't know ?

 

[Muslim Woman]

charismaI do not believe that war is "holy," but I sometimes believe it is necessary. I appreciate the limits that Judaism & Islam (and later Christian princes) put on war, but it is still not holy, IMHO.

muslimwomanI don't know why Armstrong is favourable toward Islam. I think she is a fan, especially of Muhammad. I don't know if she is Christian anymore, but I don't think she has converted to Islam.

On Islamic violence, an example. In her history of Islam, her chapter on Muhammad is all positive. She puts two events into a larger context:
1. The raids on caravans by Muslims
2. The slaughtering of 700 Jewish traitors and selling their wives and children to slavery by Muhammad.
In both cases, she takes what look like difficult events and explains the history around them, the reasons for them, and how they were not so horrific at the time.

Why do I disagree with her sometimes? On the logic of how I see history and religion. I disagree with her view on fundamentalism (logos & mythos), but her attempt is so clear and helpful it makes a good starting point. I disagree with how she reads the growth of Islamic empire, and the reasons behind terrorism today. I disagree with how she reads Genesis in one way (the documentary hypothesis), but enjoy the way she brings Jewish, Christian & Muslim readings together.

Salaam/peace;


I did not read her that book u mentioned. Few lines on the ralated issues: Jews were punished according to their own holy book. A Jewish Judge gave the verdict regarding .....i forgot now ...most probably Duet . If u want , i will Insha Allah ( God Willing ) collect more info.


The Last Prophet (p) forgave the killer of his own daughter & uncle who always supported him in danger , he forgave ( when he was capable of taking revenge ) those who tortured & forced him to leave his birthplace holy Macca.

If anybody compares the Do's & Dont's of soldiers in the war found in the major holy books , i m sure nobody can complain against Quran anymore. :statisfie

Only one example : regarding Duet , not even in war time , if people are idol worshipper , a city must be totally destroyed & ALL citizens ( that surely includes babies ) must be killed . When even in war times , Muslims were not allowed to kill ALL but to ' ESCORT ' enemies if they want to hear the words of God. Hope , at least u appriciate this verse


**Murdering a person for no reason is one of the most obvious examples of mischief. God repeats in the Qur’an a command He formerly revealed to Jews in the Old Testament thus:


... if someone kills another person – unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth – it is as if he had murdered all mankind. And if anyone gives life to another person, it is as if he had given life to all mankind... (Qur’an, 5:32)


As the verse suggests, a person who kills even a single man, “unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth”, commits a crime as if he had murdered all mankind


...Do not corrupt the earth after it has been put right. Call on Him fearfully and eagerly. God’s mercy is close to the good-doers. (Qur’an, 7:56)


watch the film : Islam Denounces Terrorism

http://www.islamdenouncesterrorism.com/film.htm

Documentary Film

Download Mpeg File:

FULL VERSION (28.7 MB)

This film is produced by the sponsorship of the Science Research Foundation, in Istanbul, Turkey.

This site is based on the works of Harun Yahya, one of the leading Muslim scholars of our time. His books and articles are available on line at http://www.harunyahya.com

 

[Woodrow]

Salaam;



thanks bro :bravo: for the wonderful info......i had no idea about this. I wonder , why it's not mentioned in other Islamic sites i regularly visit ? Perhaps they also don't know ?

My Assumption is because the Islamic sites are dedicated to the portrayal of the truth of Islam and have simply over looked how much Islam has changed the Arabs from the days they were pagans.

We read some examples as how much Islam has changed the people, ie Treatment of women, practices of infatricide etc.

Because the Arabs were pagans does not mean they were not technically advanced.

Perhaps to really see how much Islam changed the Arab world we should look and see what the early Muslims had available for fighting wars and they did not succumb to the temptation of using any of it.

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace ;

God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you over religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. God loves those who are just.


God merely forbids you from taking as friends those who have fought you over religion and driven you from your homes and who supported your expulsion... (Qur’an, 60:8-9)



All forms of barbarism, unnecessary acts of violence and unjust aggression are forbidden by Islam. In another verse, God warns Muslims against this and explains that rage felt towards enemies should not cause them to fall into injustice:


You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of God, bearing witness with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not being just. Be just. That is closer to heedfulness. Heed God (alone). God is aware of what you do. (Qur’an, 5:8)



…The exact meaning of “Jihad” is “effort”. Thus, in Islam, “to carry out jihad” is “to show effort, to struggle”. The Prophet Muhammad (p) explained that “the greatest jihad is the one a person carries out against his lower soul”.

What is meant by “lower soul” here is selfish desires and ambitions.


Assessed from the Qur’anic point of view, the word “jihad” can also mean a struggle carried out on intellectual grounds against those who oppress people, treat them unjustly, subject them to torture and cruelty and violate legitimate human rights. The purpose of this struggle is to bring about justice, peace and equality


.. Killing Oneself, In Other Words Committing Suicide, is Forbidden in the Qur’an

Another important matter that arose in the wake of the latest terrorist assaults against the United States is that of suicide attacks.


Some people who are ill-informed on Islam have made utterly erroneous statements to the effect that this religion of peace allows suicide attacks, whereas in Islam killing oneself and killing other people are both prohibited. In the words, “Do not kill yourselves.” (Qur’an, 4:29)

God has declared suicide to be a sin. In Islam it is forbidden for anyone to kill himself or herself, for no matter what reason.


The Prophet reveals suicide to be a sin in a parable, when he says that those who commit suicide will be punished:


Insha Allah , to be continued :

Compassion, Tolerance and Humanity in the History of Islam

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace ;

“We have made you a Middle Nation”​

(Holy Qur’an, Surat al-Baqara:143)



Compassion, Tolerance and Humanity in the History of Islam



To sum up the facts we have seen so far, we can say that the political doctrine of Islam (in other words, Islamic rules and principles regarding political matters) is exceedingly moderate and peace-loving.




This truth is accepted by many non-Muslim historians and theologians. One of these is the British historian Karen Armstrong, a former nun and an expert on Middle East history.

In her book Holy War, which examines the history of the three divine religions, she makes the following comments:



... The word 'Islam' comes from the same Arabic root as the word 'peace' and the Koran condemns war as an abnormal state of affairs opposed to God's will… Islam does not justify a total aggressive war of extermination… Islam recognises that war is inevitable and sometimes a positive duty in order to end oppression and suffering.



The Koran teaches that war must be limited and be conducted in as humane a way as possible. Mohammad had to fight not only the Meccans but also the Jewish tribes in the area and Christian tribes in Syria who planned on offensive against him in alliance with the Jews.




Yet this did not make Mohammed denounce the People of the Book. His Muslims were forced to defend themselves but they were not fighting a 'holy war' against the religion of their enemies. When Mohammad sent his freedman Zaid against the Christians at the head of a Muslim army, he told them to fight in the cause of God bravely but humanely.



They must not molest priests, monks and nuns nor the weak and helpless people who were unable to fight. There must be no massacre of civilians nor should they cut down a single tree nor pull down any building


Website:
http://www.harunyahya.com

http://www.islamdenouncesterrorism.com

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace;




In a verse God commands the following:
God commands you to return to their owners the things you hold on trust and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice. How excellent is what God exhorts you to do! God is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (Qur’an, 4:58)


Canon Taylor, one of the mission leaders of the Anglican Church, expresses the beauty revealed by the Islamic morality in one of his speeches as follows:



It [Islam] brought out the fundamental dogmas of religion – the unity and greatness of God, that He is merciful and righteous, that He claims obedience to His will, resignation and faith.



It proclaimed the responsibility of man, a future life, a Day of Judgment, and stern retribution to fall upon the wicked; and enforced the duties of prayer, almsgiving, fasting and benevolence.



It thrust aside the artificial virtues, the religious frauds and follies, the perverted moral sentiments, and the verbal subtleties of theological disputants… It gave hope to the slave, brotherhood to mankind, and recognition to the fundamental facts of human nature



The false assertion that people in conquered countries converted to Islam under threat has also been disproved by Western researchers, and the justice and tolerant attitude of Muslims has been confirmed. L.Browne, a Western researcher, expresses this situation in the following words:
Incidentally these well-established facts dispose of the idea so widely fostered in Christian writings that the Muslims, wherever they went, forced people to accept Islam at the point of the sword.( . L. Browne, The Prospects of Islam, p. 11-15)


In his book The Prospects of Islam, Browne goes on to say that the real motive behind the Muslims’ conquests was the brotherhood
of Islam.

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace;

The Sanctity of Human Life

The Glorious Qur’an says:


…take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom. (Al-An`am 6: 151)




Islam considers all life forms as sacred. However, the sanctity of human life is accorded a special place. The first and the foremost basic right of a human being is the right to live.




Allah says in the Qur’an says: … if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. (Al-Ma’idah 5: 32)


Such is the value of a single human life, that the Qur’an equates the taking of even one human life unjustly, with killing all of humanity.



Thus, the Qur’an prohibits homicide in clear terms. The taking of a criminal’s life by the state in order to administer justice is required to uphold the rule of law, and the peace and security of the society.



Only a proper and competent court can decide whether an individual has forfeited his right to life by disregarding the right to life and peace of other human beings.

Islam: The Great Unifier

Far from being a militant dogma, Islam is a way of life that transcends race and ethnicity. The Qur’an repeatedly reminds us of our common origin:



O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other).



Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). (Al-Hujrat 49: 13)




The above quotation is excerpted with some modifications from: http://www.whyislam.org


You can also read:

Islam versus Terrorism

Arab-American Cooperation in Fighting Terrorism

Was Islam Spread at the Point of Sword?

Do Muslims Kill Their Opponents?

Levels of Jihad

Jihad: Not Only Physical Struggle

Jihad: Its True Meaning and Purpose

Jihad and Peace in Islam

Is Jihad Synonymous with Aggression?


May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.




Allah Almighty knows best.

Search:

http://www.islamonline.net/English/Living_Shariah/index.shtml

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace;



Does the Qur'an Teach Violence?

http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=31288




Q: Does Islam really teaches peace? I am a Christian and I do not hate Muslims, but I read in the Qur'an verses like, "And slay them wherever ye catch them." (2:191) and "But if they turn away, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks." (4:89).



How can a peaceful religion teach these things? How do you explain these verses? These quotations from your Holy Book do really make us very uneasy with your faith. I would appreciate your reply.




( pl. visit link to read the full answer )


Answer by Dr. Muzzamil Siddiqui--Ex-President of ISNA---Islamic Society of North America


……The answer is simple and that is you should read these verses in their textual and historical context. You should read the whole verse and it is better that you read few verses before and few after.




Read the full text and see what is said: "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors.



And kill them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, kill them.


Such is the reward of those who reject faith. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.




And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.



The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality.


If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves." (al-Baqarah 2:190-194)




For your second quotation also read the full text: "They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they):



so take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (from what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks.



Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people.


If Allah had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you: therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (guarantees of) peace, then Allah hath opened no way for you (to war against them).



Others you will find that wish to gain your confidence as well as that of their people: every time they are sent back to temptation, they succumb thereto; if they withdraw not from you nor give you (guarantees) of peace besides restraining their hands, seize them and slay them wherever ye get them; in their case We have provided you with a clear argument against them." (Al-Nisa' 4:89-91)




Now tell me honestly, do these verses give a free permission to kill any one anywhere?
God to Prophet Muhammad (p) revealed these verses at the time when the non-Muslims of Makkah attacked Muslims on a regular basis.



They were frightening the Muslim community of Madinah. One may say using the contemporary jargon that there were constant terrorist attacks on Madinah and in this situation Muslims were given permission to fight back the "terrorist".



These verses are not permission for "terrorism" but they are a warning against the "terrorists." But even in these warnings you can see how much restraint and care is emphasized.





It is important that we study the religious texts in their proper context. When these texts are not read in their proper textual and historical contexts they are manipulated and distorted.




It is true that some Muslims manipulate these verses for their own goals. But this is not only with Islamic texts, it is also true with the texts of other religions. I can quote dozens of verses from the Bible, which seem very violent, if taken out from their historical context.




Many violent Jewish and Christian groups have used these Biblical texts. Crusaders used them against Muslims and Jews.



Nazis used them against Jews. Recently Serbian Christians used them against Bosnian Muslims. Zionists are using them regularly against Palestinians.

Let me mention just a few verses from the Old Testament and New Testament and tell me what do you say about them:




"When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girga****es and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you.


And when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. (Deuteronomy 7:1-2)



"When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it terms of peace. If it agrees to make peace with you and opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall become your forced labor and shall serve you.




However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword.


Only the women and the children and the animals and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as booty for yourself;


and you shall use the spoil of your enemies which the LORD your God has given you. Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes (Deuteronomy 20:10-17)



Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls, who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves. (Numbers 31:17-18)



Even in the New Testament we read the following statement attributed to Jesus saying to his disciples:


"I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence. (Luke 19:26-27)

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace;


Scope of Amicable Dealings with Non-Muslims


.. the eminent Muslim scholar Sheikh Al-Qaradawi states in his well-known book 'The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam':


First of all, we would like to stress that Islam does not prohibit Muslims from being kind and generous to peoples of other religions, even if they are idolaters and polytheists.



However, Islam looks upon the People of the Book, that is, Jews and Christians, with special regard, whether they reside in a Muslim society or outside it.

The Qur'an never addresses the Jews and Christians without saying, "O People of the Book" or "O You who have been given the Book," indicating that they were originally people of a revealed religion.



For this reason, there exists a relationship of mercy and spiritual kinship between them and the Muslims, all having in common the principles of the one true religion sent by Allah through His Prophets (peace and blessings are upon them all):


He says, He has ordained for (the Muslims) the same religion which He enjoined on Noah, and that which We have revealed to thee (Muhammad) and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: that you should establish the faith and make no division in it.... (Ash-Shura 42: 13)



He Almighty also says: O you who believe, do not take My enemy and your enemy as friends, offering them affection, even though they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth, driving out the Messenger and yourselves because you believe in Allah, your Lord...
(Al-Mumtahinah 60:1)


This verse was revealed in connection with the pagans of Makkah, who declared war against Allah and His Messenger driving the Muslims out of their homes simply because they said,

"Our Lord is Allah." With this type of people, friendship and alliance cannot be permitted.



Yet in spite of this, the Qur'an did not dismiss the hope that one day there might be a reconciliation; it did not declare utter disappointment in them but encouraged the Muslims to kindle the hope of better understanding and improved relationships, for in the same surah Allah says:

It may be that Allah will bring about affection between you and those who are your enemies from among them.
And Allah is All-Powerful, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (Al-Mumtahinah 60: 7)

This Qur'anic statement gives the assurance that this bitter hostility and deep hatred is something that may pass way, as it is also stated in the hadith, "Hate your enemy mildly; he may become your friend one day." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasized the duties of Muslims toward Dhimmis, threatening anyone who violates them with the wrath and punishment of Allah.


The Prophet is reported to have said: "He who hurts a Dhimmi hurts me, and he who hurts me annoys Allah." (Reported by At-Tabarani in Al-Awsat with good chain of narrators.)

He also says, "Whoever hurts a Dhimmi, I am his adversary, and I shall be an adversary to him on the Day of Resurrection." (Reported by Al-Khatib with authentic chain of narrations.)



"On the Day of Judgment I will dispute with anyone who oppresses a person from among the People of the Covenant, or infringes upon his right, or puts a responsibility on him which is beyond his strength, or takes something from him against his will." (Reported by Abu Dawud)

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