DOES THE QURAN ALLOW MUSLIMS TO MURDER ALL THE DISBELIEVERS???
“Kill all the disbelievers wherever you find them” (Qur’an 9:5)
1. “Kill the Disbelievers where ever you find them” is actually a mistranslation commonly made by non Muslims again and again, the word “disbelievers” in Arabic is “Kafiruwn” which is not found anywhere in the Arabic text of this verse, the word that is commonly mistranslated is “Mushrikuwn” which literally means “idol worshippers”, so this verse of the Qur’an actually reads:
“Kill the Idol worshippers where ever you find them” (Qur’an 9:5)
Yes, one may say that idol worshippers are disbelievers but not all disbelievers are idol worshippers, therefore it is wrong to use the generic term of disbelievers denoting the whole genus of non Muslims, in this manner many orienlentalists have propagated a clouded misinterpretation of Islam of being a violent and barbaric religion.
You can quickly refute the claims of the skeptic by cross refereing the following verse
Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who don’t fight you on account of your religion nor drive you out from your homes. Verily Allah loves those who are just. (Qur’an 60:8)
2. Secondly by quoting this verse for their intended purpose they are in fact making a contextual error, in order for me to explain I have to go through the context of this verse and give a short commentary about the reason for this revelation.
THE CONTEXT OF SURAH TAWBAH VERSE 5
[1] This is declaration of disassociation from Allah and His Messenger to those idolaters with whom you had entered into a contract and they did not keep it.
[2] Then go about in the land for four months and know that you can not tire Allah and Allah is to humiliate the infidels.
[3] And there is proclamation from Allah and His Messenger to all People on the day of Great Pilgrimage that Allah is rid of the polytheists and so His Messenger, if you then repent it is then good for you, and if you turn you' face then know that you can not tire Allah. And give good tidings to infidels of a painful torment.
[4] But those Idolaters with whom you had covenanted they did not detract anything in your Contract, and did not help any one against you then fulfil their covenant till the promised day. Undoubtedly, Allah loves the pious ones.
[5] Then when the sacred months have passed, slay the Idolaters wherever you find them and catch them, and confine them and sit in wait for them at every place; again if they repent and establish prayer and give the poor-due then leave their way. Verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Reason for revelation:
There was a treaty that was drawn between the pagans of Makkah and the Muslims in which their was to be no war for 20 years however the pagans broke the treaty by helping the enemy’s of the Muslims with weapons against them. The pagans were given a four months security with a warning in which if they don’t make up for their wrong doing they would face humiliation except for the idolaters that were true to their contract as we see in verse 4 they had promise of security.
We see clearly from the context this verse was revealed for that time and that time only, for example the Americans were at war with Vietnam many years ago, suppose the president of America said or the leading commander of the army commanded their soldiers to “kill the Vietnamese wherever you find them”, if I was to quote the president or commander out of the contextual timeframe of his statement, indeed it would make him sound barbaric but if I was to quote in context then indeed it would sound very logical.
[3] The Qur’an is unique and you will not find another book on the face of the earth like it, I would like to point your attention to the verse that comes after the context:
[6] And 'O beloved Prophet'. If any of the Idolaters ask your protection, then give him protection that he may hear the word of Allah then convey him to his place of security. This is because they are the people ignorant.
Now do you know of any army general that would spare the opposition and escort them to a place of safety? Indeed this ruling is very unique, and Islam has many other rulings which offer security to innocent people in war and so forth, I lay down the challenge to anybody that can find me a more Merciful and Just battle warrior than my beloved Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him].
[4] THE TABLES CAN BE TURNED
As Islam can be made out to be a ruthless and barbaric religion by orienlentalists and the media by quoting a few verses out of context so can Christianity and Judaism even more so by using the same methodology, for example I present these following verse from the Bible:
[1] you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.” (Deuteronomy 7:2)
[2] You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.” (Joshua 11:6)
According to the New Testament Jesus said:
[3] But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (Luke 19:27)
[4] I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I if it be already kindled? (Luke 12:49)
[5] Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division (Luke 12:51)
[6] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (Matthew 10:34-35)
[7] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)
8:12 is commonly used to say Islam teaches to strike fear into the heart of the disbelievers but if you actually look at the verse and what the people of tafseer have to say about its context and reason for revelation you will find that Allah sent angels down to aid the Muslims in a battle and Allah commanded these angels to strike fear into the hearts of the disbelievers, therefore it is a command to the Angels.
2:191 is very easy to figure by looking at the context in which you cant get any more Just than that when it comes to the ettiquettes of war, the Muslims are told not to transgress limits.
If you look back at this whole thread i am very sure you will find many Answers, i have looked into these subjects and still am looking.
wasalams