SUMMARY:
QUOTATIONS from the Qur’an [the most holy book of Muslim people] are from the translation by Marmaduke Pickthall [a Briton who converted to Islam. Many scholars of Islam think that his translation is the best.] unless otherwise stated. Note that the Qur’anic Suras [a Sura is a chapter of the Qur’an] are not in chronological order and that verse numbers sometimes differ with translations.
By DANIEL SCOT
MANY Muslims, secular humanists and others who have not studied the Islamic religion in-depth or who do not want to present the religion objectively, often teach that the Qur’an is all about love and peace. It is true to some extent but an in-depth study of the Qur’an, Hadith [dozens of holy books next to the Qur’an, describing what Muhammad did or approved in his time, which is the best example for all Muslims of all time] and other classic writings on the life of Muhammad paint quite a different picture. The Qur’an presents a double standard of teaching on these issues and the reason is to be found in the different stages in the life of the founder of Islam.
The Meccan and Medinan Periods
Muhammad’s life can be divided into two main eras: a) His life at Mecca; and b) His life at Medina. Muhammad was born in 570 AD at Mecca and at the age of forty, in 610 AD, he declared himself to be “the Prophet of Allah”. During his first thirteen years of preaching he was without an army and so could not use the sword. Only a few people converted to Islam. When Muhammad was without power his approach was, “You worship your gods; I worship mine. There is no compulsion in religion.”
Say: O disbelievers! I worship not that which you worship; Nor worship you that which I worship. And I shall not worship that which you worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion. (Sura 109:1-6)
There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejects false deities and believes in Allah has grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower. (Sura 2:256)
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Christians were called believers when Muhammad was without power, but with power all this changed. |
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In 622 AD Muhammad migrated to Medina. Here, gradually, he built his army. Allah told Muslims that warfare had been ordained for them; they should fight for Allah and Allah would give them a lot of booty. Allah also taught that any harm Muslims inflict on disbelievers and anything they take from them is recorded as good works for Muslims. However Allah strongly forbade Muslims to despoil other Muslims:
Warfare is ordained for you, though it is hate-ful unto you; but it may happen that you hate a thing, which is good for you, and it may happen that you love a thing, which is bad for you. Allah knows, you know not. (Sura 2:216)
Allah was well pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance unto you beneath the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down peace of reassurance on them, and has rewarded them with a near victory; And much booty that they will capture. Allah is ever Mighty, Wise.
Allah promises you much booty that you will capture, and has given you this in advance, and has withheld men’s hands from you, that it may be a token for the believers, and that He may guide you on a right path. (Sura 48:18-20)
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Teaching When he was without power his approach was, “You worship your gods; I worship mine. There is no compulsion in religion”. |
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It is not for the townsfolk of Al-Madinah and for those around them of the wandering Arabs to stay behind the messenger of Allah and prefer their lives to his life. That is because neither thirst nor toil nor hunger afflicts them in the way of Allah, nor step they any step that angers the disbelievers, nor gain they from the enemy a gain, but a good deed is recorded for them therefore. Lo! Allah loses not the wages of the good. [emphasis added] (Sura 9:120)
O you who believe! When you go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, be careful to discrimi-nate, and say not unto one who offers you peace: “You are not a believer,” seeking the chance profits of this life (so that you may despoil him). With Allah are plenteous spoils. Even thus (as he now is) were you before; but Allah has since then been gracious unto you. Therefore take care to discriminate. Allah is ever informed of what you do. (Sura 4:94).
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Those who did not take part in Jihad were threatened with hell... |
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Those who did not take part in Jihad were threatened with hell and Muhammad was ordered not even to attend the funeral of such people. On the other hand Allah promised paradise to those who kill or were killed for Allah:
Those who were left behind rejoiced at sitting still behind the messenger of Allah, and were averse to striving with their wealth and their lives in Allah’s way. And they said: Go not forth in the heat! Say: The fire of hell is more intense of heat, if they but understood. (Sura 9:81)
If Allah bring you back (from the campaign) unto a party of them and they ask of you leave to go out (to fight), then say unto them: You shall never more go out with me nor fight with me against a foe. You were content with sitting still the first time. So sit still, with the useless. And never (O Muhammad) pray for one of them who dies, nor stand by his grave. Lo! they disbelieved in Allah and His messenger, and they died while they were evil-doers. (Sura 9:83-84)
And what though you be slain in Allah’s way or die thereinfi Surely pardon from Allah and mercy are better than all that they amass. (Sura 3:157)
And their Lord has heard them (and He says): Lo! I suffer not the work of any worker, … [those who] suffered damage for My cause, and fought and were slain, truly I shall remit their evil deeds from them and truly I shall bring them into Gardens underneath which rivers fiow — A reward from Allah. And with Allah is the fairest of rewards. (Sura 3:195)
As Power increased so did the Taking of Life
The classic book, The Life of Muhammad, written by the famous Islamic scholar Ibn Ishaq over 1300 years ago is considered the most reliable text on the life of the Prophet. (A. Guillaume, translation; New York: Oxford University Press, 1980). Ibn Ishaq makes it clear that as the Prophet of Allah grew in power no opposition was allowed. For example one woman by the name of Asma bint Marwan, who was a suckling mother, criticized Muhammad’s killing of people.
This criticism angered the Prophet of Allah so he asked, “Who will rid me of Marwan’s daughter?” Umayr went to her house that night and killed her. [675-676]1. People such as Abu Afak [675] and Al-Harith bin [son of] Suwayd bin Samit, who wrote some poetry which Muhammad disliked were killed.
Other cases include the killing of Uqba bin Abu Mu’ayt [164, 308]; Ka’b bin al-Ashraf [366-368]; Ibn Sunayna [369]; Mirba bin Qayzi [372-373]; Sallam Ibn Abu’l-Huqayq [482-483]; Kinana bin al-Rabi [510-517]; One-Eyed Shepherd [674-675]; Abdullah bin Khatal and His Two Singing Girls [551]; al-Huwayrith [551]; Sara, a Freed Slave [551].
Such killing was carried on according to the revelations from Allah:
When your Lord inspired the angels, (say-ing): I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger. That is because they opposed Allah and His messenger. Whoever opposes Allah and His messenger, (for him) lo! Allah is severe in punishment. (Sura 8:12-13).
With time the Prophet became so powerful that the Qur’an teaches that people were more afraid of Muhammad than Allah and when non-Muslims could not run away from the Prophet of Allah they had to choose either to became Muslims or be killed by the sword. There came a stage when Muhammad was no longer allowed to take captives in war. He was permitted only to slaughter them:
Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (Sura 9:5)
You are more awful as a fear in their bosoms than Allah. That is because they are a folk who understand not. (Sura 59:13)
And they swear by Allah that they are in truth of you, when they are not of you, but they are folk who are afraid. Had they but found a refuge, or caverns, or a place to enter, they surely had resorted thither swift as runaways. (Sura 9:56-57)
It is not for any prophet to have captives until he has made slaughter in the land. You desire the lure of this world and Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter, and Allah is Mighty, Wise. (Sura 8:67)
A Contemporary Muslim Understanding
The Chief-Justice of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Hamid (who was also the Sheikh of Al-Masjid-al-Haram, Mecca), put this development in Jihad very succinctly:
So at first “the fighting” was forbidden, then it was permitted and after that it was made obliga-tory – (1) against them who start “the fighting” against you (Muslims)…(2) and against all those who worship others along with Allah…. As mentioned in Sura 2, 3 and 9 among others.
Allah made “the fighting” (Jihad) obligatory for the Muslims and gave importance to the subject-matter of Jihad in all the Suras which were revealed at Medina as it is in Allah’s statement :
March forth, whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor), strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allah. This is better for you, if you but knew. (Sura 9:41)
— The Noble Qur’an, translated by Al-Hilali and Khan, p1046
The Principle of Abrogation
To justify this drastic change in teaching and practice of Muhammad, Allah gave the revelation of Abrogation. This is the cancelling of early verses in the Qur’an and replacing them with later and better verses. As this justified Muhammad’s change from moderate to very harsh treatment of non-Muslims he was therefore accused of forgery:
Nothing of our revelation (even a single verse) do we abrogate or cause be forgotten, but we bring (in place) one better or the like thereof. Know you not that Allah is Able to do all things? (Sura 2:106)
And when We put a revelation in place of (another) revelation,—and Allah knows best what He reveals—they say: Lo! you [Muhammad] are but inventing. Most of them know not. (Sura 16:101)
Many times Muslims knowingly or unknowingly quote verses of the Qur’an, which had been cancelled by later verses. This tactic is used to present Islam as a moderate religion when the honest chronological order of verses does not support it. For example when the sword verse Sura 9:5 was revealed to Muhammad all the moderate verses were cancelled by it. Ibn Kathir one of the classic great scholars states:
This is the Ayah [authentic verse] of the Sword
Mujahid, `Amr bin Shu`ayb, Muhammad bin Ishaq, Qatadah, As-Suddi and `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said that the four months mentioned in this Ayah are the four-month grace period mentioned in the earlier Ayah, (So travel freely for four months throughout the land.) Allah said next, (So when the Sacred Months have passed...), meaning, `Upon the end of the four months during which We prohibited you from fighting the idolaters, and which is the grace period We gave them, then fight and kill the idolaters wherever you may find them.’ Allah’s statement next, (then fight the Mushrikin [polytheists] wherever you find them), means, on the earth in general, except for the Sacred Area, for Allah said,
(And fight not with them at Al-Masjid Al-Haram, unless they fight you there. But if they attack you, then fight them.) [2:191] Allah said here, (and capture them), executing some and keeping some as prisoners, (and besiege them, and lie in wait for them in each and every ambush), do not wait until you find them. Rather, seek and besiege them in their areas and forts, gather intelligence about them in the various roads and fairways so that what is made wide looks ever smaller to them.
This way, they will have no choice, but to die or embrace Islam, (But if they repent and perform the Salah [prayer], and give the Zakah [arms giving], then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.) Abu Bakr As-Siddiq used this and other honourable Ayat as proof for fighting those who refrained from paying the Zakah. These Ayat [verses] allowed fighting people unless, and until, they embrace Islam and implement its rulings and obligations. Allah mentioned the most important aspects of Islam here, including what is less important. Surely, the highest elements of Islam after the Two Testimonials, are the prayer, which is the right of Allah, the Exalted and Ever High, then the Zakah, which benefits the poor and needy.
These are the most honourable acts that creatures perform, and this is why Allah often mentions the prayer and Zakah together. In the Two Sahihs [authentic Hadith], it is recorded that Ibn `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said, (I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establish the prayer and pay the Zakah.)
This honourable Ayah (9:5) was called the Ayah of the Sword, about which Ad-Dahhak bin Muzahim said, “It abrogated every agreement of peace between the Prophet and any idolater, every treaty, and every term.’’ Al-`Awfi said that Ibn `Abbas commented: “No idolater had any more treaty or promise of safety ever since Surah Bara’ah [Qu’ran Sura 9]2 was revealed. The four months, in addition to all peace trea-ties conducted before Bara’ah was revealed and announced had ended by the tenth of the month of Rabi` Al-Akhir.’’3 [Emphasis added]
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Allah told Muslims that they were not bound by their oaths and could lie |
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Moreover, Allah told Muslims that they were not bound by their oaths and could lie, even saying that they were not Muslims at all:
Allah has made lawful for you (Muslims) absolution from your oaths (of such a kind), and Allah is your Protector. He is the Knower, the Wise. (Sura 66:2)
Let not the believers take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoever does that has no connection with Allah unless (it be) that you but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security. Allah bids you beware (only) of Himself. Unto Allah is the journeying. (Sura 3:28)
Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief — save him who is forced thereto and whose heart is still content with the Faith — but whoever finds ease in disbelief: On them is wrath from Allah. Theirs will be an awful doom. (Sura 16:106)
“Jizyah” or Protection Money
Nevertheless, the People of the Book, Jews and Christians, had a third choice. They could pay protection money and agree to be humiliated by the Muslims. This protection money option, however, was not always available. When Muhammad and his army, for example, besieged the Jewish tribe of bnu Qurayza the Jews surrendered unconditionally. After their surrender and with the approval of the angel Gabriel and one of Muhammad’s wounded army generals, Muhammad ordered that all the male adults of the tribe be slaughtered. Only a few adult Jewish men who converted to Islam were spared and, with most of the women and children, sold into slavery. [The Life of Muhammad by Ibn Ishaq, Pp. 94-95; 460-469].
The Changing Status of Jews and Christians
The following discussion gives a progressive account of how Jews and Christians were treated at various stages according to the Qur’an, Hadith and Classic Islamic history:
In Sura 85:4-11 and 18:10-27, Christians are called believers; in Sura 2:62 and 5:69 Allah said that Jews, Christians and Sabaeans [star worshippers] will not grieve in the Last Day [the Day of Judgment]. In Sura 2:122 and 5:20 Allah said that the children of Israel are preferred above all, prophets and kings among them.
Sura 85 The Mansions of the Stars (Al-Buruj)
Al-Buruj takes its name from a word in verse 1, which I have translated “mansions of the stars.” The word has the meaning of towers or mansions and is applied to the signs of the Zodiac. Verses 4 to 7 are generally taken to refer to the massacre of the Christians of Najran in Al-Yaman by a Jewish king Dhu Nawas, an event of great historical importance since it caused the intervention of the Negus [the king] and led to the Abyssinian supremacy in the Yaman which lasted until the War of the Elephant (Surah CV) in the Prophet’s year of birth.
(Self-) destroyed were the owners of the ditch 85:5 Of the fuel-fed fire, 85:6 When they sat by it, 85:7 And were themselves the witnesses of what they did to the believers. 85:8 They had nothing against them except that they believed in Allah, the Mighty, the Owner of Praise, 85:9 Him unto Whom belongs the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is of all things the Witness. 85:11 Lo! those who believe and do good works, theirs will be Gardens underneath which rivers fiow. That is the Great Success. (Sura 85:4)
Sura 18 The Cave (Al-Kahf)
Al-Kahf takes its name from the story of the youths who took refuge from persecution in a cave (vv. 10-27) and were preserved there as if asleep for a long period. This is a story that is generally identified by Western writers (e.g. Gibbon) with the legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. [In Surah 18:13, these young men are called believers; Yousuf Ali in his translation of Sura 18:13, in footnote 2337 states that these were Christian youths of Ephesus]
Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans will not grieve:
Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto you, Mohammed), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans — whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does right — surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. (Sura 2:62)
Lo! those who believe, and those who are Jews, and Sabaeans, and Christians — Who-ever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does right — there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. (Sura 5:69)
Jews or Children of Israel are favoured, preferred above all creatures:
O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you and how I preferred you to (all) creatures. (Sura 2:122)
And (remember) when Moses said unto his people: O my people! Remember Allah’s favour unto you, how He placed among you prophets, and He made you kings, and gave you that (which) He gave not to any (other) of (His) creatures. (Sura 5:20)
From Muhammad’s dealings in Medina Jews might have sensed that they would become the next target for Jihad, so they refused to give any money to Muhammad for buying arms. Accordingly, Allah changed his attitude towards Jews. As Muhammad became more powerful, Allah declared that Jews were the likeness of donkeys and some of them were changed into apes and swine. Muhammad also said some Jewish tribes were changed into rats. Sahih Bukhari Vol. 4; Hadith No. 524, P. 333.
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Allah declared that Jews were in the likeness of donkeys ... apes ... swine. Muhammad said that some Jewish tribes were changed into rats |
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Jews did not give money for Jihad so Allah changed his behaviour:
Truly Allah heard the saying of those who said, (when asked for contributions to the war): “Allah, forsooth, is poor, and we are rich!” We shall record their saying with their slaying of the prophets wrongfully and We shall say: Taste you the punishment of burning! (Footnote on Page 76 explains that: A saying of some Jews of Al-Madinah) also Sura 9:34-35 O you who believe! Lo! many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks devour the wealth of mankind wantonly and debar (men) from the way of Allah. They who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, unto them give tidings (O Mohammed) of a painful doom; On the day when it will (all) be heated in the fire of hell, and their foreheads and their fianks and their backs will be branded therewith (and it will be said unto them): Here is that which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard. (Sura 3:181)
The likeness of Jews is the likeness of the Donkey:
The likeness of those who are entrusted with the Law of Moses, yet apply it not, is as the likeness of the ass carrying books. Wretched is the likeness of folk who deny the revelations of Allah. And Allah guides not wrongdoing folk. (Sura 62:5)
Allah changed some Jews into Apes and Swine:
Shall I tell you of a worse (case) than theirs for retribution with Allah?
(Worse is the case of him) whom Allah has cursed, him on whom His wrath has fallen and of whose sort Allah has turned some to apes and swine, and who serves idols. Such are in worse plight and further astray from the plain road. (Sura 5:60)
And you know of those of you who broke the Sabbath, how We said unto them: Be you apes, despised and hated! (Sura 2:65)
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For a season Christians were considered closest to Muslims but... |
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For a season, Christians were considered closest to Muslims but as the prophet of Allah grew in power Allah declared that Jews and Christians are polytheists, cursed by Allah and the worst of all creatures. Allah also declared that polytheists can never be forgiven and will stay in hell.
Christians are the nearest in affection:
You will find the most vehement of mankind in hostility to those who believe (to be) the Jews and the idolaters. And you will find the near-est of them in affection to those who believe (to be) those who say: Lo! We are Christians. That is because there are among them priests and monks, and because they are not proud. (Sura 5:82)
The Unbelievers, Jews and Christians are the worst of Beasts:
Lo! the worst of beasts in Allah’s sight are the ungrateful who will not believe. (Sura 8:55)
The worst of animals in the sight of Allah are those who reject the truth and do not become believers. (8:55 Malik’ trans.)
Lo! those who disbelieve, among the People of the Scripture [Jews and Christians] and the idolaters, will stay in fire of hell.
They are the worst of created beings. (Sura 98:6)
Jews and Christians are Polytheists Cursed by Allah:
And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah.
That is their saying with their mouths.
They imitate the saying of those who disbe-lieved of old. Allah (Himself) fights against them.
How perverse are they! (Sura 9:30)
- … Allah’s Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth! [Mujahid trans.]
- … God do battle with them! How are they misguided! [Rodwell trans.]
- … Allah’s curse be on them! How they are turned away! [Maulana Muhammad Ali trans.]
- … may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away! [Shakir trans.]
- … Allah’s curse be on them ! How they are turned away. [Sherali trans.]
- … Allah’s curse be on them: how they are de-luded away from the Truth! [Yusuf Ali trans.]
Christians are Disbelievers:
They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoever ascribes partners unto Allah, for him Allah has forbidden paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers. They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no God except the One God. If they stop not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve. (Sura 5:72-73)
Polytheism is the only unforgivable Sin:
Lo! Allah pardons not that partners should be ascribed unto Him. He pardons all except that to whom He will. Whoever ascribes partners unto Allah has wandered far astray. (Sura 4:116)
How then should Muslims relate to non-Muslims?
As we have seen earlier, at one stage Allah thought Jews, Christians, Sabaeans and Muslims will not grieve on the Day of Judgment (meaning they will go to Heaven). However, at later stages when Muhammad had a lot of wealth and a large army, Allah declared that no religion other than Islam would be accepted. Muslims were strictly forbidden to have friendships with non-Muslims even of their close relatives, except for the sake of security (deception).
Allah will accept no Religion other than Islam:
Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah?
While all creatures in the heavens and on earth have willing or unwilling bowed to His Will (accepted Islam) and to Him shall they all be brought back. (Sura 3:83)
If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good). (3:85 Yousaf Ali’s Trans.)
Muslims must not befriend non-Muslims:
Let not the believers take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers.
Whoever does that has no connection with Allah unless (it be) that you but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security. Allah bids you beware (only) of Himself. Unto Allah is the journeying. (Sura 3:28)
O you who believe! Choose not disbelievers for (your) friends in place of believers. Would you give Allah a clear warrant against you? Lo! the hypocrites (will be) in the lowest deep of the Fire, and you will find no helper for them; (Sura 4:144-145)
O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. He among you who takes them for friends is (one) of them. Lo! Allah guides not wrongdoing folk. (Sura 5:51)
If they believed in Allah and the Prophet and that which is revealed unto him, they would not choose them for their friends. But many of them are of evil conduct. (Sura 5:81)
O you who believe! Choose not My enemy and your enemy for allies. Do you give them friendship when they disbelieve in that truth which has come unto you, driving out the mes-senger and you because you believe in Allah, your Lord? If you have come forth to strive in My way and seeking My good pleasure, (show them not friendship). Do you show friendship unto them in secret, when I am Best Aware of what you hide and what you proclaim? And whoever does it among you, he truly has strayed from the right way. (Sura 60.1)
O you who believe! Be not friendly with a folk with whom Allah is wroth, (a folk) who have despaired of the Hereafter as the disbelievers despair of those who are in the graves. (Sura 60.13)
O you who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take plea-sure in disbelief rather than faith. Whoever of you takes them for friends, such are wrong-do-ers. (Sura 9:23)
O you who believe! Fight those of the dis-believers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him). (Sura 9:123)
They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: War-fare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel his people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can. And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein. (Sura 2: 217)
If a Muslim befriends a non-Muslim
Allah said that such people will have no connection with Allah. They are neither Muslims nor non-Muslims and will become apostates by converting to Judaism or Christianity. Allah will be wroth with them and they will suffer dreadful doom:
Let not the believers take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoever does that has no connection with Allah unless (it be) that you but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security. Allah bids you beware (only) of Himself. Unto Allah is the journeying. (Sura 3:28)
You see many of them making friends with those who disbelieve. Surely ill for them is that which they themselves send on before them: that Allah will be wroth with them and in the doom they will abide. (Sura 5:80)
Have you not seen those who take for friends a folk with whom Allah is wroth? They are nei-ther of you nor of them, and they swear a false oath knowingly. Allah has prepared for them a dreadful doom. Evil indeed is that which they are wont to do. (Sura 58:14-15)
O ye who believe! if ye listen to a faction among the People of the Book they would (indeed) render you apostates after ye have believed! And how would ye deny faith while unto you are rehearsed the Signs of Allah and among you lives the Apostle? Whoever holds firmly to Allah will be shown a way that is straight. (Sura 3:100-101)
If any Muslim converts to Judaism, Christianity or any other religion they will be dealt with severely.
They but wish that ye should reject faith as they do and thus be on the same footing (as they): but 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. (Sura 4:89 Yousaf Ali’s trans.)
Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them the Evil One has instigated them and buoyed them up with false hopes. This because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed “We will obey you in part of (this) matter”; but Al-lah knows their (inner) secrets. (Sura 47:25-26 Yusuf Ali trans.)
Some people from the tribe of ‘Ukl came to the Prophet and embraced Islam. The climate of Medina did not suit them, so the Prophet ordered them to go to the (herd of milch) camels of charity and to drink their milk and urine (as a medicine). They did so, and after they had recovered from their ailment (became healthy) they turned renegades (reverted from Islam) and killed the shepherd of the camels and took the camels away. The Prophet sent (some people) in their pursuit and so they were (caught and) brought, and the Prophet ordered that their hands and legs should be cut off and that their eyes should be branded with heated pieces of iron, and that their cut hands and legs should not be cauterised, till they die. (Sahih Bukhari Vol. 8 Hadith 8:794 Narrated Anas)
Muslims must not obey non-Muslims:
So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them herewith with a great endeavour. (Sura 25:52)
And obey not the command of the prodigal [their chief: leader who were polytheists, criminals and sinners, The Noble Qur’an]. (Sura 26:151)
… and obey not the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise. And follow that which is inspired in you from your Lord. Lo! Allah is Aware of what you do. (Sura 33:1-2) Therefore obey not you the rejecters [of the Islamic Monotheism-those who belie the Verses of Allah, the Oneness of Allah and the Messengership of Muhammad, The Noble Qur’an]. (Sura 68:8) So submit patiently to your Lord’s command, and obey not of them any guilty one or disbeliever. (Sura 76:24)
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Allah has no children. All come to him as slaves. |
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Allah has no children. All come to him as slaves. Allah teaches in the Qur’an that Christians are Kafirs [infidel or disbeliever], and are going to hell because they believe that Jesus is God. Muslims are not to obey the disbelievers. Muslims are commanded by Allah not to befriend Jews and Christians. The People of the Book, Jews and Christians are the worst of all the animals. Moreover Muslims have the responsibility to fight Christians until they became Muslims, or pay protection money being utterly subdued.
Muslims are to fight non-Muslims and the true Islam is to conquer all religions:
And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allah Alone [in the whole of the world]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allah), then certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what they do. (Sura 8:39 Al-Hilali and Khan)
Apart from Sura 8:39 there are many other verses, where it is made clear that Muslims have to fight and conquer others. It is worth noting how Mohammad explained Surah 8:39: Narrated Ibn Umar: Allah’s Messenger said: ‘I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muham-mad is Allah’s Messenger, and offer prayers perfectly and give Zakat so if they perform all that, then they save their lives and properties from me except for Islamic laws, and then their reckoning (accounts) will be with (done by) Allah. Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 1; Hadith 24. [Foot note for Sura 8:39; The Noble Qur’an].
Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Mes-senger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah (protection money) with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. (Sura 9:29 Al-Hilali and Khan)
[Note: Jizyah is protection money which Muslims charge to non-Muslims under Sahriah law, it was established by Muhammad himself. When Muhammad conquered Jewish towns of Khayber he imposed a protection tax, which was 50 % of their total produce. The Life of Muham-mad. By Ibn Ishaq Pp. 510-518, 515].
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Muhammad is the model for all good Muslims in all his doings |
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Then when the Sacred Months (the 1st, 7th, 11th, and 12th months of the Islamic calendar) have passed, then kill the Mushrikun [polythe-ist] (see V.2:105) wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform As- Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Sura 9:5 Al-Hilali and Khan trans.)
He it is Who has sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse. (Sura 9:33)
He it is Who has sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion. And Allah suffices as a Witness. (Sura 48:28)
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Through the medium of the sword (Jihad) Islam was impelled towards the global subjugation of all things to itself |
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In Conclusion
Muhammad’s/Allah’s attitude to Jews and Christian reversed as his power grew and he no longer needed to rely on their help or tolerance.
This change has been shown here set against a historical background with all its stages attested to by the Qur’an. It shows the development of Islam from a small divergent monotheistic belief to a religion addressing community and national issues. Through the medium of the sword (Jihad) Islam was impelled towards the global subjugation of all things to itself. This progression is not complete nor is it merely historical. However the changes in Muhammad’s attitude to Jews and Christians (as he is the model for all good Muslims in all his doings) present difficulties for Muslims in the interpretation of the opposites within the Qur’an. These must inevitably call into question the divine inspiration of the Prophet’s writings – how could something be absolutely true at one time and not another if it was all written in Heaven beforehand?
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It is clear that unless Christians take it upon themselves to initiate communication and friendship ... very real benefits ... will simply not happen |
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In view of the above we can begin to understand the typical attitude of Muslims to non-Muslims.
It is clear that unless Christians take it upon themselves to initiate communication and friendship - no matter how one-sided (in the same way the Lord sought us and drew us to Him when we were lost) – the very real benefits, which come from that communication for all concerned will simply not happen.
Our aim in this is to increase understanding between people so that we promote mutual respect, which is a form of love. When we come to understand the attitude of Muslims to non-Muslims we can also begin to understand why Muslims are difficult to integrate into a non-Muslim society.
When we are able to set aside our own ideas and our society’s preoccupation with “multiculturalism” we will be better able to treat them as the Lord intends us to, as our neighbours.
Footnotes:
1 Figures in bracket identify pages in the book previously referenced. 2 Sometimes in Islam a reference in Qu’ran is identified by name as in this case and sometimes by number 3 Arabic months are difficult to identify with our equivalent
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Appeared in Issue CETF 34 November 2005
"...contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" -- Jude v3
© Copyright 2006 Christian Witness Ministries, except where noted. All rights reserved
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-Last revised-
Monday, October 09, 2006
