Holy War in Islam pt I Islam has always been a religion of the sword. The very word, Islam, means “submission.” Here is a list of Quran verses regarding Jihad (holy war), reward for those who fight for the cause of Allah, hostility toward Jews and Christians, imposition of Islam on non-Muslims… Those are just a little glimpses on what Islam and its god stand for and why Muslims kill and destroy. Sura 2 (The Cow) 120 Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion. Say: "The Guidance of Allah,-that is the (only) Guidance." Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither Protector nor helper against Allah. 154. And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah. "They are dead." Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not. 190. Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. 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. 192. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. 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. 216. Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not. 244. Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things. Sura 3 (Imran’s Family) 54. And (the unbelievers) plotted and deceived, and Allah too deceived, and the best of deceivers is Allah. 157. And if ye are slain, or die, in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all they could amass. 158. And if ye die, or are slain, Lo! it is unto Allah that ye are brought together. 169 Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord. Sura 4 (The Women) 74 Let those fight in the cause of Allah Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah, whether he is slain or gets victory - Soon shall We give him a reward of great (value). 76 Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith Fight in the cause of Evil: So fight ye against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan. 84 Then fight in Allah's cause - Thou art held responsible only for thyself - and rouse the believers. It may be that Allah will restrain the fury of the Unbelievers; for Allah is the strongest in might and in punishment. 95 Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward. Sura 5 (The Table) 33. The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter; 41. O Messenger. let not those grieve thee, who race each other into unbelief: (whether it be) among those who say "We believe" with their lips but whose hearts have no faith; or it be among the Jews,- men who will listen to any lie,- will listen even to others who have never so much as come to thee. They change the words from their (right) times and places: they say, "If ye are given this, take it, but if not, beware!" If any one's trial is intended by Allah, thou hast no authority in the least for him against Allah. For such - it is not Allah's will to purify their hearts. For them there is disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a heavy punishment. 51. O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. 64. The Jews say: "Allah's hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief.
Holy War in Islam pt II Sura 8 (Spoils) 38. 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). 39. 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. 57 If ye gain the mastery over them in war, disperse, with them, those who follow them, that they may remember. 60 Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly. 65 O Messenger. rouse the Believers to the fight. If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred: if a hundred, they will vanquish a thousand of the Unbelievers: for these are a people without understanding. Sura 9 (Repentence) 5. When the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent (become Muslims), and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. 14. Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers, 15. And still the indignation of their hearts. For Allah will turn to whom He will; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. 16. Or think ye that ye shall be abandoned, as though Allah did not know those among you who strive with might and main, and take none for friends and protectors except Allah, His Messenger, and the (community of) Believers? But Allah is well- acquainted with all that ye do. 29. 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 (Christians and Jews), until they pay the Jizya (Tax) with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. 30. The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah’s curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth! 31. They take their priests and their anchorites to be their lords in derogation of Allah, and they take as their Lord Christ the son of Mary; yet they were commanded to worship but One Allah. There is no god but He. Praise and glory to Him: Far is He from having the partners they associate with Him. 32. Fain would they extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the Unbelievers may detest it. 73. O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell,- an evil refuge indeed. 74. They swear by Allah that they said nothing (evil), but indeed they uttered blasphemy, and they did it after accepting Islam; and they meditated a plot which they were unable to carry out: this revenge of theirs was their only return for the bounty with which Allah and His Messenger had enriched them! If they repent, it will be best for them; but if they turn back (to their evil ways), Allah will punish them with a grievous penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: They shall have none on earth to protect or help them. 80. Whether thou ask for their forgiveness, or not, (their sin is unforgivable): if thou ask seventy times for their forgiveness, Allah will not forgive them: because they have rejected Allah and His Messenger. and Allah guideth not those who are perversely rebellious. 83. If, then, Allah bring thee back to any of them, and they ask thy permission to come out (with thee), say: "Never shall ye come out with me, nor fight an enemy with me: for ye preferred to sit inactive on the first occasion: Then sit ye (now) with those who lag behind." 84. Nor do thou ever pray for any of them that dies, nor stand at his grave; for they rejected Allah and His Messenger, and died in a state of perverse rebellion. 88. But the Messenger, and those who believe with him, strive and fight with their wealth and their persons: for them are (all) good things: and it is they who will prosper. 89. Allah hath prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein: that is the supreme felicity. 123. O ye who believe! fight the unbelievers who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you: and know that Allah is with those who fear Him. Sura 55 (The Beneficent) 54. They will recline on Carpets, whose inner linings will be of rich brocade: the Fruit of the Gardens will be near (and easy of reach). 56. In them (Paradise) will be virgins, chaste, restraining their glances, whom no man or Jinn before them has touched;- 58. Like unto Rubies and coral. 60. Is there any Reward for Good - other than Good? In them will be fair Companions (virgins), good, beautiful;- 72. Companions restrained as to their glances, in goodly pavilions;- 74. Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched;- 76. Reclining on green Cushions and rich Carpets of beauty. Sura 60 (She Who Is Examined) 1. O ye who believe! Take not my enemies (Jews and Christians) and yours as friends (or protectors),- offering them your love, even though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have (on the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply) because ye believe in Allah your Lord! If ye have come out to strive in My Way and to seek My Good Pleasure, (take them not as friends), holding secret converse of love (and friendship) with them: for I know full well all that ye conceal and all that ye reveal. And any of you that does this has strayed from the Straight Path. Sura 61 (The Ranks) 4. Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure.
MR GOOTAN, Your remarks are misguided and dishonest. Misguided because if one were to study any religion they could not jump into its teachings and begin interpreting something they have no knowledge or background of. Dishonest because you have altered the words of the Qu'ran and written your own words in its place. Having studied the world's major religions, I would like to address your alteration of the text of the Qu'ran first. There is no authentic English translation of this verse in the way you have presented anywhere in the world, unless you yourself altered it. The Arabic word used where you claim it to say 'plotted and deceived' is actually 'makara'. The approximate and closest meaning to this word in English is 'to plan' as in to strategize, plot, or coordinate. Next time, try and use some wisdom and restraint in changing what some people believe to be the direct words of God. I don't know what faith you follow but you should be extremely careful because Allah, the God who Muslims believe revealed this book, is as the Muslims themselves call him, is the same God as that of the God of Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. So you may not want to call God the 'best of deceiveres'. Secondly, you must understand the context of what is being said. You are correct in seeing that the Qu'ran does have passages that refer to acts of fighting and of war. To put the verses you quoted in context you would see that every passage you mentioned said to fight against 'oppression'. Chapter 2 v193 as you listed above: and Clearly this is justice. I don't think any further commentary is needed. Secondly, on the same point of being in context. You mention the verse in Chapter 60: Again, shame on you, for distorting the words of the book. No where in this meaning can you derive that the enemies here refer to Jews and Christians. Firstly, at the time of Muhammad the people that oppressed him and the Muslim followers were pagan Arabs who were practicing a severely repressive religious oppression upon them very similar to Pharoah on Moses and the Jews. One of the largest supporters of Muhammad and the Muslims was the king of Abyssinia, a Christian, who took the persecuted Muslims in as brothers because they believed in Jesus's divine birth by Mary as a virgin (peace be upon them both). Secondly these are the oppressive enemies that they fought during the time of Muhammad, not Christians and Jews. This happened during the time of the Crusades and that is entirely over Jerusalem. Please note that when the Muslims did go into Jerusalem for the first time, just like they went into Mecca against the oppressive pagan Arabs, it was a bloodless and peaceful transition, where the cities offered themselves to the Muslims because of their just practices that they had viewed in their occupation of other cities. In fact the Qu'ran's purpose of revelation was to clarify and re-focus the efforts of the previous prophets to declare the Oneness of God and order people to stop worshipping idols and graven images. The Christians and Jews are given the Honourable title of "People of the Book" throughout the Qu'ran due to the fact that the Muslims must believe in the 6 pillars of Faith to have true belief: 1) There is no deity except the One true God. 2) To believe in the Angels, 3) To believe in all the preceding Prophets and not to place one above another, 4) To believe in all the previous revelations as those of God, (Bible, Torah, the Psalms, and other revelations of Abraham, etc..) 5) To believe in fate or the Will of God. (He knows the end of all things) 6) To believe in the day of Judgement where every soul will have to answer for its good and bad deeds and will be given its just reward according to those deeds. (Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus...EVERYONE) Muhammad's mission was to establish a way of life which was in accordance with the laws of God. War was never a first or even second resort, but always the last resort. This was the outcome of oppression. Muhammad was not there to fill the same role as Jesus who lived the first part of his life on Earth as a peaceful slave who was sent specifically to the Jews. Islam teaches that Jesus, peace be upon him, will live the second part of his life out towards the end of time (the second coming of Christ). At that time he will marry and lead the believers against the anti-christ and defeat them. So the second half will be just like Muhammad, David, Solomon, and other prophets who led an army of believers to victory against oppressive and transgressing people to establish peace and justice in their lands and on Earth. I welcome any Muslims or people knowledgeable about the Qu'ran to correct any mistakes I have made in the statements above. Mr Gootan, I'm not sure if you're Hindu, SIkh, Christian, or Jewish, but if you would like to illustrate, I can also take the book that you put your faith in and show you ways that any one can twist and distort and take passages out of context to fit their biased opinions. I can illustrate it with a Shakespearean play if you don't believe in God. I would encourage you and plead to you to please use caution when speaking of other people's faiths, and to take even more caution when venturing to do a critical analysis of any subject of which you have no knowledge or expertise.
As long as we're pulling out the deceptive verses, how about these. Judging by your views on the Koran, I suppose you think that all Christians should kill Muslems, Jews should kill Christians, etc. These were turned up by a quick search. Bet I can find more if you want them. Luke 19:27-28 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them--bring them here and kill them in front of me. After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. Nahum 1:2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies. Micah 4:10-13 Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies. But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, "Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!" But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, he who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing floor. "Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hoofs of bronze and you will break to pieces many nations." You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the LORD, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth. Micah 5:8-9 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue. Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, and all your foes will be destroyed.
Hi RocketScientist, I believe questioning your beliefs and testing your faith is always good. So I should have used "coordinate"? This is a moot point anyway, since we should define morality based on what God says is moral. If He deceives or coordinates, who are we to say that it seems to have a bad connotation? I'm sure the prophet never broke a treaty or went back on a pact when he waged war. My reasoning for showing them was to show that the enforcement of justice is the responsibility of each "true" muslim to carry out. So they can be excused for whatever they do because it is for justice sakes. Only if you focus on Sura 60. That's why I also listed Sura 2 and Sura 5. In context, "enemies" do refer to those you have mentioned, but in interpretation enemies are enemies. Do we have to discuss who muslims believe the enemy is today? You bring up many good points, but I listed other Suras that you didn't even touch upon. I am a Christian and when I study what Jesus, Solomon, David, Moses, and Abraham have said, it is all in agreement. But when I study what Mohammed has said, it does not agree with the others. Does God give different messages to different people, or is He an unchanging God? Jesus said He Himself was God and "before Abraham was, I am." If you think He's false, doesn't that statement make Him crazy? Then why even label Him as a "good prophet" among all the other prophets? Hey, don't be offended that I try to study the quran and then misinterpreted it. I'm trying to learn here. I didn't even know I was doing a critical analysis. I thought I was presenting passages from the quran. So explain it to me as a teacher that is knowledgable on the subject cares that a student learn the lesson presented. Is there passages in the quran or the interpretations that say do not place non-believers(such as Jews and Christians) under submission?
You're funny otto. Luke 19:11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12 He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[1] `Put this money to work,' he said, `until I come back.' 14 "But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, `We don't want this man to be our king.' 15 "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. 16 "The first one came and said, `Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 17 "`Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. `Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' 18 "The second came and said, `Sir, your mina has earned five more.' 19 "His master answered, `You take charge of five cities.' 20 "Then another servant came and said, `Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' 22 "His master replied, `I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' 24 "Then he said to those standing by, `Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' 25 "`Sir,' they said, `he already has ten!' 26 "He replied, `I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them--bring them here and kill them in front of me.'" 28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. I have no problems with the other verses. Vengence is His alone and He is jealous because He is the only one worth worshiping and the nation of Israel didn't do that. Israel is His chosen people, an example to the rest of the world. So when they obey Him, nobody can defeat them. But when they disobey Him, God makes an example of them to a)bring them back to Him and b)show the rest of the world He is a just and holy God and that sin has real consequences.
Is that your opinion, or the opinion of Moby.com. For that matter. Are you telling the truth in this part of your post or simply lying again like in the rest of your post and every other post you've made on this board?
First off, thank you RocketScientist for your insight and open-mindedness. As a muslim who admittedly has a lot to learn about Islam and other religions, I feel your post was dead-on. Mr Gootan, yes your right he (we) shouldn't feel offended by your post because you are a 'student' trying to learn a relgion. However, a student wouldn't post distorted and undoubtedly misintrepreted passages from a holy book. I would think they would ask questions, and their view and take on the subject. Collectively, Muslims do not view Jews, Christians or people of any other religious denomination as their enemies, by any means whatsoever. I cannot clarify that enough. What a few fanatical freaks feel does not represent the peaceful majority. On the contrary, Islam - and the Quran - believe Jews, Christians, people of all monothiestic relgions, are believers. I do not know where you got this. Please understand that coming on and posting incorrect and distorted passages from a holy book of any religion is bound to irk some, and only displays short-sightedness and a lack of respect, on your part. I believe your intentions were not to offend anyone, but inevitably they did. Azim da Dream
Oh, I thought kirkit showed us that we're not supposed to care about telling the truth on this board anymore. And if you actually have the gall to call people on their misstatements, they get mad at you and continue to spread their lies without respect for the truth or anyone else on the board. That's the way kirkit does it, I thought that was how we were all supposed to do it.
mrpaige is very funny too. he is too attached to what i think. i find this funny how he is doing this. i hope he continues to do this on every single post i make for the rest of my life. im probably lying though. hA
Now you've proven to be a troll, too. You now know that your signature is a lie yet you keep it there specifically because you want people to call you on it. And you take pride in being a liar and a troll. That says so much about the kind of person you are. http://www.snopes.com/quotes/quayle.htm
