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Religion & State                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                       
Does the Qu'ran preach that Non-Muslims be Punished?                                                                                                                     
a group discussion                                                                                                                                                          


The Islamic State is one that enforces Islamic Law, or the Shariah, the law formulated from the Quran. As such it is important to understand what the Qu'ran says, as it might dictate the lifestyle and laws of citizens and others in the Islamic State. Here we have a heated discussion on the topic of the treatment of non-Muslims as advised in the Qu'ran, namely if they should be condemned, even to death.



by Ahmed Mohamed      


(See original post)


                                                                                       
I received from members of Yahoo Islamic groups a lot of quotes from Quran and Hadith in Arabic telling/threatening what will become of me both in this life and the one after for writing my book. I am posting such quotes below only for the record. In English, nonetheless, I will list first important quotes from Quran as to the punishment non-Muslims like you and "bad" Muslims like me deserve both in this life and in the one after.
 
 

I. Quran

 
"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.)” Surah 9:5


“Strike terror (into the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies.” Surah 8:60

 

“Fight (kill) them (non-Muslims), and Allah will punish (torment) them by your hands, cover them with shame.” Surah 9:14

 

“I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them It is not ye who slew them; it was Allah.” Surah 8:12, 17

“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 practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” Surah 9:5

“Fight (kill) 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.”
Surah 9:29

"Declare war upon those who the Scriptures were revealed but believe neither in God nor the Last Day, and who do not forbid that which God and His Apostle have forbidden, and who refuse to acknowledge the True Religion |i.e., Islam~ until they pay the poll-tax without reservation and are totally subjugated." Surah 9:29-30

"O Believers, do not take as your friends the infidels or those who received the Scriptures before you and who scoff and jest at your religion, but fear God if you are believers. Nor those who when you call them to prayer, make it an object of mirth and derision. This is only because they are a people who do not understand."  Surah 5:56-64

"They surely are Infidels who say, 'God is the third of three': for there is but one God; and if they do not refrain not from what they say, a severe punishment shall light on those who are unbelievers" (Surah V.75. and Surah IV.157 where the crucifixion is denied).

"Believers, do not take Jews or Christians as friends. They are but one another's friends. If anyone of you takes them for his friends, then he is surely one of them. God will not guide evil doers" (Surah 5:51).

"Kill those who join other gods with God (i.e. idolators) wherever you may find them." Surah 5:5-6

"Those who believe fight in the cause of God...."  Surah 4:76

"I will instill terror into the hearts of the Infidels. Strike off their heads, then, and strike off from them every fingertip". Surah 8:12

"Believers, when you meet the unbelievers preparing for battle do not turn your backs to them. Anyone who does - shall incur the wrath of God and Hell shall be his home: an evil dwelling indeed!"  Surah 8:15-16

"If you do not fight, He will punish you severely, and put others in your place." Surah 9:39

"Let those fight in the cause of God who barter the life of this world for that which is to come; for whoever fights on God's path, whether he is killed or triumphs, We will give him a handsome reward." Surah 4:74

 

II. Hadith

“what is the best deed for the Muslim next to believing in Allah and His Apostle?” His answer was: “To participate in Jihad in Allah's cause.” Al Bukhari vol. 1:25

“I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah.” Al Bukhari vol. 4:196

“the person who participates in (Holy Battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostle, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to paradise (if he is killed).” Al Bukhari vol. 1:35






by Sophia Barkat
response to Ahmed Mohamed




You quoted parts from the Quran and they are authentic but you didn't mention that these group of people -- the idolators and non-Muslims -- had declared war on Mohammad at the time such Surahs were revealed and that the Muslims were outnumbered and these Surahs were used as battle cries to help them gain moral strength to outdo their enemies.


"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.)" Surah 9:5



This is Surah At-Taubah or Repentence or Al-Barat or "Immunity". It was revealed in the 9th year of Hijrah -- or "The Flight", which marks the fleeing of the Prophet and his followers from Mecca because such "idolators" were trying to kill them. Mohammad at the time was the enemy of such idolators because he opposed the idea of multiple gods, saying that all idols in the house of Kabah -- the place that Abraham built with his son as the house of God -- should be thrown out. Because of this idea they were enemies of Mecca and it was these enemies who he later makes a treaty with for peace, and this Surah marks the end of all idolatory.

I'm not saying I agree or disagree with any of what he did, but simply that there is a reason why that line was quoted. Mohammad was given sanctuary by the Christians at one point during his flight from Mecca to Medina. It's not that Mohammad was against people of all faiths, but the idolators were equally intolerant of the Muslims being able to practice their pilgrimage to Mecca.



"Strike terror (into the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies." Surah 8:60


This is from Surah Al-Anfal, or "Spoils of War" and it is to tell the Muslims that all property at the end of war belongs to the Muslims as a whole and not to any individual. The whole Surah is about how Muslims should not engage in war profiteering, and how they should treat the women and children of those slayed with respect.


The Qureyesh was the most powerful family in Mecca and had singled out Mohammad as a real threat to their way of life, a man who had opposed many things there were used to doing -- such as murdering female children, etc. They had placed a bounty on his head, causing him to flee Mecca with his three hundred or so followers. This Surah was revealed after the Qureyesh and the Muslims met face to face in battle and even though the Qureyesh outnumber the Muslims 2:1 the Muslims won. Again, the Muslims were being prepped up for the fight. Without this battle the Muslims cannot return to Mecca, which they ultimately do.




"Fight (kill) them (non-Muslims), and Allah will punish (torment) them by your hands, cover them with shame." Surah 9:14


This is Surah At-Taubah or Repentence again. This Surah is a reminder
to Muslims that the Qureyesh are promise breakers. They made treaties
with the Prophet before and came to kill him. So, the Muslims are being told that they should be on guard about the Qureyesh at all times and not treat anyone who breaks such treaties leniently.

In line 9:4, Muslims are told to treat very well "those idolators" who keep their word. The funny part is that Mohammad and Muslims expect that the Battle with the Qureyesh should somehow lead to conversion of faiths from idolatory to Islam. Don't ask me to explain such a jump in rationality, but I guess that's how people in the 6th Century functioned, brain-power wise.




"I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them It is not ye who slew them; it was Allah." Surah 8:12, 17



Again: Surah Al-Anfal: and the Muslims are trying to ambush the Qureyesh so that they can defeat them and return to Mecca. I'm assuming you know that the Muslims were being persecuted by the Qureyesh, or at least that is what the Quran says, and this is the battle cry to defend the religion of God fearlessly.




"Fight (kill) 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."  Surah 9:29


Here we go back to At-Taubah. And again it is to remind the Muslims that while they have returned to Mecca under a new treaty with Qureyesh that the Qureyesh are likely to try to kill them as they did try before, and so Muslims should be on guard, and take action if they fear a threat on their lives.


In the Quran the Qureyesh are portrayed as a group who plot constantly to kill the Prophet.




"They surely are Infidels who say, 'God is the third of three': for there is but one God; and if they do not refrain not from what they say, a severe punishment shall light on those who are unbelievers" (Surah V.75. and Surah IV.157 where the crucifixion is denied).


This is Surah 5 or Al-Ma'Idah or The Table Spread referring to the Eucharist of Jesus and his disciples. In it the Quran tells Muslims that the Prophet is not the only Messenger of Allah or the One God. That there have been several before him. That Jesus, Moses, David etc. all are Allah's prophets or messengers. The immaculate conception of Jesus is not contested. The Story of Moses' flight from the Pharoah's grasps is told.

The areas of contest in that Jesus is not considered Son of God -- but a Prophet only.

But the crucification is NOT denied. In Surah IV or An-Nisa or "Women", line 157 says :


"And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus, Son of Mary, Allah's messenger -- they slew him not nor crucified; but it appeared so unto them; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain:"


and line 158 adds:

"But Allah took him up Himself; Allah is ever Mighty; Wise."


meaning, exactly what the Christians would say: that Jesus knew he
was going to God.


Muslims were given sanctuary by the Christians and were a political ally at the time, so I don't see, why at least from a political point of view -- if Mohammad was just a politician -- that he would alienate his allies. Perhaps he actually believed it -- who knows.

In any case, you have quoted many things but don't seem to know much
about the historical context nor seem to know one line from the next in the Quran.




I also read your quotes from the Hadith, or Life Example of the Prophet Mohammad:


II. Hadith

"what is the best deed for the Muslim next to believing in Allah
and His Apostle?" His answer was: "To participate in Jihad in Allah's
cause." Al Bukhari vol. 1:25




Jihad means "perseverance", by the way.


"the person who participates in (Holy Battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostle, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to paradise (if he is killed)." Al Bukhari vol. 1:35



Even when Christ was being cricified and his apostles with him he told them "you will be granted a place next to me in the hereafter for the pain you are suffering because of your faith".


What do you expect people to say to one another when they are going to war just so that they can practice their beliefs?


What do people tell families of soldiers today when they come back in body bags? "Your son was brave and died for the country. He is a hero....etc etc...etc." The families get some money and a flag and that is all. Perhaps they get something more "paradise" if they die in a Holy War. Sounds irrational though proportionately okay, right?


Also, Hadith is the "life example of the prophet". It was written after he died. So, why it should be taken any more seriously than the New Testament -- verions Peter, Paul, Luke, John, etc etcc etc -- is beyond me.



To quote the Quran or any book without explaining the context is to say something like:

"One apple a day is good for you" IMPLIES "Eat an apple every hour". But I think fundamentalists on all sides like to do this, and even more the people who wish to discredit religions to protect some greater political agenda.

















                       
                                                                                                                               



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