The so called "Jihad" verses

[wolf]

I am starting this thread to clear up some common misconceptions as to the nature of Jihad as espoused by the Islamic source text the Quran. It is often advocated that the Quran promotes suicide bombings, indiscriminate killing of disbelivers unless they convert etc. While there are some fanatical groups who use an incorrect interpretation of the Quran to expedite their own socio- political views this has nothing to do with the true meaning of Islam. I will not try and go into every verse but will keep it simple and start with the most commonly used.

Surah 2 v 190-194(Yusuf Ali translation)

002.190 Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.

002.191 And slay 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, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.

002.192 But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

002.193 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 practise oppression.

These verese are often quoted as giving permisssion to slaughter all disbelivers indiscriminately. This could not be further from the truth. Verse190 clearly lays out WHO is to be fought against namely THOSE THAT FIGHT YOU. Not any old disbeliever but those who start hostilities against Muslims first. Even then the verse goes on to state, stay within the prescribed limits of fighting (ie no women children elderly etc).

Verse 191 goes onto expand on the previous injunction more clearly with the words "And slay THEM wherever ye Catch them..." The THEM referred to can be elucidated from the previous verse ie the THOSE WHO FIGHT AGAINST YOU party. So there is no suggestion of indiscrminate killing whatsoever.

Verse 192 clearly states that if they cease fghting then you should do so also as a peaceful gesture again in no way promoting any indiscriminate or perpetual warring status that is often promoted by Jihadists or those portraying Islam in a bad light.

The final verse 193 is often quoted as to support the allegation that Islam suggests fighting till no other reilgion exists. This is again patently untrue as a clear reading of the verse shows. The word which throws light on the meaning of this verse is

FITNA or Oppression/persecution.

This would be the reason to continue fighting. Freedom of conscience, freedom of expression and freedom to practice your religion openly are all admirable values. ( Admittedly many so called Islamic countries fail to meet these standards themselves, which makes them wrong in their practice). These values are worth fighting for and it is this persecution which Islam vehemently opposes and promotes fighting against. Fighting is to continue until their prevails justice and the ability to have faith in Allah without fear or persecution. This is also clear from the next part of the verse "but if they cease let there be no hostility...". If fighting was to continue until only Islam prevailed then the injunction to cease would be out of place and contradictory. However it is clear that Islam teaches no such shock and awe tactic for if fighting ceases it is to cease except only with those who persecute.

I hiope this starts to clear some of the misconceptions.

Wasalam (peace)

Wolf

[Krusader]

I am starting this thread to clear up some common misconceptions as to the nature of Jihad as espoused by the Islamic source text the Quran. It is often advocated that the Quran promotes suicide bombings, indiscriminate killing of disbelivers unless they convert etc. While there are some fanatical groups who use an incorrect interpretation of the Quran to expedite their own socio- political views this has nothing to do with the true meaning of Islam. I will not try and go into every verse but will keep it simple and start with the most commonly used.

Surah 2 v 190-194(Yusuf Ali translation)

002.190 Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.

002.191 And slay 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, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.

002.192 But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

002.193 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 practise oppression.

These verese are often quoted as giving permisssion to slaughter all disbelivers indiscriminately. This could not be further from the truth. Verse190 clearly lays out WHO is to be fought against namely THOSE THAT FIGHT YOU. Not any old disbeliever but those who start hostilities against Muslims first. Even then the verse goes on to state, stay within the prescribed limits of fighting (ie no women children elderly etc).

Verse 191 goes onto expand on the previous injunction more clearly with the words "And slay THEM wherever ye Catch them..." The THEM referred to can be elucidated from the previous verse ie the THOSE WHO FIGHT AGAINST YOU party. So there is no suggestion of indiscrminate killing whatsoever.

Verse 192 clearly states that if they cease fghting then you should do so also as a peaceful gesture again in no way promoting any indiscriminate or perpetual warring status that is often promoted by Jihadists or those portraying Islam in a bad light.

The final verse 193 is often quoted as to support the allegation that Islam suggests fighting till no other reilgion exists. This is again patently untrue as a clear reading of the verse shows. The word which throws light on the meaning of this verse is

FITNA or Oppression/persecution.

This would be the reason to continue fighting. Freedom of conscience, freedom of expression and freedom to practice your religion openly are all admirable values. ( Admittedly many so called Islamic countries fail to meet these standards themselves, which makes them wrong in their practice). These values are worth fighting for and it is this persecution which Islam vehemently opposes and promotes fighting against. Fighting is to continue until their prevails justice and the ability to have faith in Allah without fear or persecution. This is also clear from the next part of the verse "but if they cease let there be no hostility...". If fighting was to continue until only Islam prevailed then the injunction to cease would be out of place and contradictory. However it is clear that Islam teaches no such shock and awe tactic for if fighting ceases it is to cease except only with those who persecute.

I hiope this starts to clear some of the misconceptions.

Wasalam (peace)

Wolf
Could you also comment on surahs 8:39, 9:5 & 9:29?

[wolf]

Could you also comment on surahs 8:39, 9:5 & 9:29?
No problem. I'll start with the very first one above
Ch 8:v 30-39


008.030 Remember how the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home). They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah.

008.031 When Our Signs are rehearsed to them, they say: "We have heard this (before): if we wished, we could say (words) like these: these are nothing but tales of the ancients."

008.032 Remember how they said: "O Allah if this is indeed the Truth from Thee, rain down on us a shower of stones form the sky, or send us a grievous penalty."

008.033 But Allah was not going to send them a penalty whilst thou wast amongst them; nor was He going to send it whilst they could ask for pardon.

008.034 But what plea have they that Allah should not punish them, when they keep out (men) from the sacred Mosque - and they are not its guardians? No men can be its guardians except the righteous; but most of them do not understand.

008.035 Their prayer at the House (of Allah) is nothing but whistling and clapping of hands: (Its only answer can be), "Taste ye the penalty because ye blasphemed."

008.036 The Unbelievers spend their wealth to hinder (man) from the path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend; but in the end they will have (only) regrets and sighs; at length they will be overcome: and the Unbelievers will be gathered together to Hell;-

008.037 In order that Allah may separate the impure from the pure, put the impure, one on another, heap them together, and cast them into Hell. They will be the ones to have lost.

008.038 Say to the Unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be forgiven them; but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them).

008.039 And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.

I have quoted some of the background verses to allow a contextual reading of the verse you quoted. The background of this chapter(which is clear on reading the whole Surah and considering the time of revelation Early Medinite) tells us this was at or around the Battle of Badr or first military conflict engaged in by the Muslims. The verse you quoted is virtually identical to 2:194 in that the principal reason to continue fighting against the disbelivers from Mecca would be to promote freedom of religion and prevent persecution (Which is what the Muslims were escaping from Mecca in the first place). Again the versse tates quite clearly that if the opposing side ceases hostilities then the muslims are to cease hostilities immediately as well. There is no indication of this "do or die" approach to getting converts or polishing them off, otherwise why would there be an order to desist.

Chapter 9 which encompasses the second two verses you quoted was revealed towards the end of the medinite period and around the time the final victory fall of Mecca occured so the verses are principally concerning how the Holy Prophet and his followers were to behave with their former opponents, persecutors and continual troublemakers(in some cases) over the next few months. I'll quote a slightly longer section:

Ch 9v 2-7

009.002 Go ye, then, for four months, backwards and forwards, (as ye will), throughout the land, but know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah (by your falsehood) but that Allah will cover with shame those who reject Him.

009.003 And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith.

009.004 (But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous.

009.005 But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

009.006 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.

009.007 How can there be a league, before Allah and His Messenger, with the Pagans, except those with whom ye made a treaty near the sacred Mosque? As long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them: for Allah doth love the righteous.

It is important to understand the socio-political context here. Mecca had just fallen without any significant fighting. There still existed in its midst many enemeies who would have harmed the Muslims if given a chance. There were also many with whom treaties had been made who had broken their treaties, some were still binding. The Holy prophet is asked to announce to the locals to travel the land peacefully in the next few months to see if Allahs Promise of a great victory had been fulfilled or not. At the end of this period, during which period all hostilities were to be suspended war was to be resumed against certain idolatrous Arabs, with the exception of those that already had treaties with the Muslims. Also those seeking asylum were to be offered peace as in verse 6 above. It should however be remembered that the command to wage war did not apply to all idolaters without discrimination but was directed only against such avowed enemies of Islam as had themselves started hostilities against Islam and had broken their word and plotted against the Holy Prophet.

The final verse in question is again from Surah Tauba. I have to again remind the readers of the context of the revelation of these verses. They deal with the situation in Mecca and Arabia after the fall of Mecca. In this Background the vereses are

Ch 9 Verse 23-29

009.023 O ye who believe! take not for protectors your fathers and your brothers if they love infidelity above Faith: if any of you do so, they do wrong.

009.024 Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious.

009.025 Assuredly Allah did help you in many battle-fields and on the day of Hunain: Behold! your great numbers elated you, but they availed you naught: the land, for all that it is wide, did constrain you, and ye turned back in retreat.

009.026 But Allah did pour His calm on the Messenger and on the Believers, and sent down forces which ye saw not: He punished the Unbelievers; thus doth He reward those without Faith.

009.027 Again will Allah, after this, turn (in mercy) to whom He will: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

009.028 O ye who believe! Truly the Pagans are unclean; so let them not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque. And if ye fear poverty, soon will Allah enrich you, if He wills, out of His bounty, for Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.

009.029 Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

Thes verses deal with how to handle certain people in the Arabian Peninsula around this time to maintain social/political/ military stability for the fledgling Muslim state. Obviously those (of any ilk pagans or other people of the book) who were actively plotting discord and disunity with violent threats needed to be dealt with decisively. Those that wanted to remain under Islamic rule with peace would be allowed to do so whilst paying their due to the state. A tax (Jizya), this was around the same if not a little less or sometimes a lttle more depebding on circumstances then what Muslims had to pay but exempted Non muslims from Military service (quite and advantage in those days). The Dhimmis laso were ewnjoinsd protection and freedom of religious practice. This may all see a lttle unfair but give the socio-political climate at the time with potential enemies in all corners it was a clever way of acieving relative stability. while not infringing peoples rights to worships as they please.

However this a is a bit of a red herring as the Jizya/dhimma was not the OP topic rather to clarify/ or clear up where exactly in the Quran is an average Muslim given explicit instructions to pick up his sword and start killing infidels indiscriminately with a simple pre-quesitio:: Do you want to beome a Muslim?? I ahvent found it yet. All the verses like any othre book of history mixed with theology has CONTEXT CONTEXT CONTEXT (as JPH keeps bleating) so I think the same lassitude should be offred to other books that present a theologi.cal viepoint in a historical setting You must understand the latter before appreciating the former. Hoe that helps

Wasalam


Wolf

[Krusader]

Thanks for your opinion Wolf. However, it would appear that the impetus for jihadist terrorism is found in the verses cited, and others, which have jihadists justifying their acts by the Quran.