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. (9:29)
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 pay the jizya, then open the way for them (9:5)
I stumble upon these verses every now and then..So decided to have a seperate post,instead of messing the comment area,which doesn’t have much readability on its own..
As long as one continue to look at the verses in ISOLATION, they will continue to face this problem of violent Islam.Before we jump into war arena,tell me what will you and me do when we are in a battlefield,fighting for our people and our land..Of course,we are out there to win,bcoz a war happens only when doors of compromise is closed.But will we accompany our enemy to a safe place if he asks for pardon in between the war?I doubdt how many of us will do that..Well,Allah orders muslims to do so..
- “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.”[Al-Qur’an 9:6]
Quran is not a book couriered to Prophet one fine morining..It was sent over 23 years,during various situations..Maybe there is a verse telling you to hold an umbrella ..It may have been sent down during a rainy season..That doesn’t mean you have to hold an umbrella throughout the year.
Surah Tawbah (Chapter 9) containing so called violent verses was revealed in 3 parts
- The first discourse (vv. 1-37), was revealed in Zil-Qa’adah A. H. 9
- The second discourse (vv., 38-72) was sent down in Rajab A. H.
- The third discourse (vv. 73-I 29) was revealed on his return from the Campaign of Tabuk.
Chapter 9 was revealed when the Pagans broke the Treaty. To the Prophet , the enemies were numerous. Just for believing in One Allah, muslims were tortured while they tortured none. It was only after Hijarah, the permission For Qital (war) was given against those coming to oppress Muslims. So were some of the wars when people of Makkah came to attack Muslims. It was never to expand, never to take control of a territory or anything like that. It was the simple effort to preserve that light of Islam and to make it visible.
Prophet never wished a war with it’s people. It is done for a purpose. If it were for the land and people, Prophet would call himself as the King which they never wished or did, but their aim is to strive in order to fulfill that light.When Islam spread,The pagans of Makkah felt desperate and that was when the treaty was brokenIt is decisively clear that the war was against certain people who failed Muslims’ treaties and aided others against them. Are muslims to be blamed for fighting such people?
If Iran has a peace treaty with America and then Iran plots to attack America and they find out through the spies so you are telling me that America can’t break the treaty???
Wasn’t it Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) when he conquered Madina,He forgive every single non combatant??Even when some warriors did not fight,they were also not touched!!!
Take each of the verse and study the verses BEFORE and LATER to it.
For example, the Chapter no. 9, is one chapter which is a series of instructions and responses TO the people (disbelievers) WHO violated the peace treatise with the Muslims. It also discusses people who had to consequently strive against such disbelievers, but who chose NOT to (because they were hypocrites).
In the same manner if you look at the verses in Ch. no. 2, you will find that it is for the people who persecuted the Muslims and DENIED them the right to Pilgrimage.In other places you will find that the fighting the disbelievers is to fight against aggression e.g. Why should you not fight the disbelievers in the way of God, when they oppress the weak, the women and children.So the apparent tone may sound to be inclined towards some sort of warmongering. But in actual it is meant ONLY against the aggressors OR the ones who violate the peace treatise.
Can I ask you something,if Allah ordered muslims to slay all non-muslims,
1.How come so many christians live in muslim countries??
2.Why there are 80% Non Muslims in India,even when India was ruled by muslims for over 400yrs??
3.Did u wake this morning knowing that there are 1500 million people in this world who want to kill u??
The whole of Quran is to be taken in its own context..The same verse applies true whenever such a similar situation happens.i.e.whenever muslims are attacked first,try to make peace/treaty..If they still keep pestering you,go defend yourself..That is what ALLAH says,atleast that is what i understand..
Whoever,may it be any individual or group of people,take the Quran and quote it to suit their motives,are only muslims for namesake..
What do you do when you go to a battlefield??Eat pizza with them??
- 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. (2:216)
Most people don’t like fighting, but sometimes it’s the only way to end agression. Maybe you’re so peaceful you won’t do anything to harm those that harm you. But this is even more harmful in the longrun.
People quote verses out of context and reference and that distorts the true meaning.However that is never the problem. The biggest problem is that some Muslims conveniently use these verses as and when it suits them. I know that the world rightly looks at what Muslims DO and not at what is in the Quran.By more and more people learning and understanding Islam in the right way,there will be pace on earth..
I talk ignoring the facts about oppression against muslims all over the world..Can anybody tell me which Holy book are they using to deal with such cruelity..Tell me what justification can one give for what is happening to women,children,economy of those muslim nations where ‘world police’ went to set things ’striaght’..Can you tell me why they needn’t justify thier acts,unlike we muslims who are set out to talk against sick acts of sick ‘muslims’..So,as far as I understand it,people around,irrespective of caste ,colour and creed are figting for reasons of their own..It is lame to find fault with Quran,bcoz Quran has been here for around more than 1400 years..Do you think muslims grew religious all of a sudden and decided to slay all non believers 
P.S:
Just to make it clear that those verses are meant for when in war alone,see these verses:
- “…If anyone killed a person not in retaliation for murder or to spread mischief in the land, it would be as if he killed the whole of mankind. And (likewise) if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole of mankind”(Surah Al-Maaida 5:32)
- “Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion, nor drove you out of your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who deal with equity” (Surah Al-Mumtahinah 60:8)
- “There is no compulsion in religion. The right path has indeed become distinct from the wrong. So whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing”(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256)
Anybody interested in having a quick overview rather than my long rant,can read this short article
http://www.islamia.com/surah_009.htm
Read what Zakir Naik says about these verses
A few selected verses from the Qur’an are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, and exhorts its followers to kill those outside the pale of Islam.
1. Verse from Surah Taubah
The following verse from Surah Taubah is very often quoted by critics of Islam, to show that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality:
- “Kill the mushriqeen (pagans, polytheists, kuffar) where ever you find them.”
[Al-Qur’an 9:5]2. Context of verse is during battlefield
Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context. In order to understand the context, we need to read from verse 1 of this surah. It says that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the Mushriqs (pagans) of Makkah. This treaty was violated by the Mushriqs of Makkah. A period of four months was given to the Mushriqs of Makkah to make amends. Otherwise war would be declared against them. Verse 5 of Surah Taubah says:
- “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.”[Al-Qur’an 9:5]
This verse is quoted during a battle.
3. Example of war between America and Vietnam
We know that America was once at war with Vietnam. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: “Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them”. Today if I say that the American President said, “Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them” without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war.
4. Verse 9:5 quoted to boost morale of Muslims during battle
Similarly in Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 the Qur’an says, “Kill the Mushriqs where ever you find them”, during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Qur’an is telling Muslim soldiers is, don’t be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemies kill them.
5.Critics find it easy to skip frrom verse 5 to verse 7
6. Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer
Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says:
- “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.”[Al-Qur’an 9:6]
The Qur’an not only says that a Mushriq seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. In the present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace. But which army General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a battle, don’t just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security?
This is exactly what Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an to promote peace in the world.
