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What's happening I was recently reminded of a question I had answered a while ago. Someone had originally posed a question about "Violent Verses" in the Qur'an, and pointed me to a website that had some of the most heinously mistranslated verses I have ever read. So I asked him to post it to a question, and promised I would take my time to review as many as I could. I reviewed and answered 12 out of the 40 which is 30%, and then got sick and stopped. Today however, someone had pointed me towards a question that had an answer that was, quiet literally, a copy/paste of this website. It disturbs me that people are willing to copy and paste 40 mistranslated, cherry picked verses without even doing research to try and justify it. So today I will try and renew my efforts to review all 40 verses. What it means There is enough hatred out there to overpower most of us alone. So instead we need to create resources to help curb the nonsense and educate not only the non-muslims, but also the muslims. If asked, most muslims would not be able to come back with a decent answer to defend themselves due to lack of knowledge on these subjects. So instead of ignoring it, embrace it! Learn what the verses really mean, understand how they are used out of context, this way you are better prepared. The Plan I will post two(2) more articles today Insha'allah. The first will be a list of all the verses with the mis translation and all (directly from the website in question). The second will be the twelve(12) verses I already reviewed. Insha'allah I will be able to continue and finish reviewing all 40 vereses this time. Show Support Want to help? There's tons of things you can do. Comment or send PM's with articles relating to the not-yet-reviewed verses; or even just leave an encouraging word. Promoting this will also help, get it around to more people and have it noticed more. The more people who can see through the mis-information the better. Share! Send this around social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, whatever! Have it be well known! The "Evil" verses So this article isn't immense long, the list of verses can be found here:
2:191-193
2:190 says
So it basically says, fight those who are fighting against you, defend yourself! That isn’t promoting violence, that says to stand up for yourself. Secondly whoever did this translation is terrible. “for persecution [of Muslims] is worse than slaughter [of non-believers]”
2:244
2:216
Wouldn’t you agree it is the duty of every human to fight for others when they are oppressed? 3:56
3:151
4:74
4:76 – see abouve 4:95 –
5:33
Second, lets look at the next verse
8:12
“[Remember] when your Lord inspired to the angels, "I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip."” Now lets look at the background of this verse. This was revealed when the muslims were living in Medina, minding their own business when the Mekkans decided to try and attack. This verse was revealed to inspire the muslims not to be afraid of the enemy, because angels would be guarding them 8:15,16
8:39
38) Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place. So if they stop causing chaos and problems, then forgive them, but if they refuse and keep causing chaos fight with them, until the chaos is no more? But if they stop, then don’t hurt them! Twice it reminds the Muslims, that if they people stop causing chaos, forgive them! 8:57 56) The ones with whom you made a treaty but then they break their pledge every time, and they do not fear Allah . This verse talking about times when someone who had made a treaty with you breaks their treaty, not just once but every time. This implies that there was more than one time these people betrayed their treaty. So them the muslims were instructed, that if they go to war and gain the upper hand, make an example out of them. Again IF this is not an instruction to go to war. 8:59-60
Another interesting point to note: As I mentioned before, these verses do not instruct muslims to go to war, but rather what they should do if the other party attacks. Ar-Rahman(the Most Merciful) also issues this command in the following verse: And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing. So in summary of these 6 (56-61) verses: If someone breaks a treaty with you and attacks you, fight back, Allah does not like traitors. They will not win. BUT if they try to come to peaceful terms with you, you are required to work peacefully with them and rely on Allah. 8:65
61) And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah . Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing. These are verses of encouragement during a time of war. Someone broke a treaty with the muslims and were attacking them, they were told to fight back, but try for peace if the other side was willing, but if they were not willing for peace, then to go into battle. No evil plot or attacking innocents but rather self defense. 9:5
And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah . Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know. So if they are looking for protection, muslims have to give them protection, even more so, they have to take them to some place where they are safe. But I believe Dr. Maher Hathout gives a great explaination: This verse was revealed towards the end of the revelation period and relates to a limited context. Hostilities were frozen for a three-month period during which the Arabs pledged not to wage war. Prophet Muhammad was inspired to use this period to encourage the combatants to join the Muslim ranks or, if they chose, to leave the area that was under Muslims rule; however, if they were to resume hostilities, then the Muslims would fight back until victorious. One is inspired to note that even in this context of war, the verse concludes by emphasizing the divine attributes of mercy and forgiveness. To minimize hostilities, the Qur’an ordered Muslims to grant asylum to anyone, even an enemy, who sought refuge. Asylum would be granted according to the customs of chivalry; the person would be told the message of the Qur’an but not coerced into accepting that message. Thereafter, he or she would be escorted to safety regardless of his or her religion. (9:6). (Hathout, Jihad vs. Terrorism; US Multimedia Vera International, 2002, pp.52-53, emphasis added) For more information on this verse, The American Muslim (TAM) has an amazingly detailed article on it! 9:14
12) And if they break their oaths after their treaty and defame your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief, for indeed, there are no oaths [sacred] to them; [fight them that] they might cease. We are once again dealing with people who broke oaths or treaties, tried to throw the muslims out of their (muslim owned) homes/cities, and had started attacking them. So we are told muslims should fight back. 9:20 "Those who believe, and have left their homes and striven with their wealth and their lives in Allah's way are of much greater worth in Allah's sight. These are they who are triumphant." The Arabic word interpreted as "striving" in this verse is the same root as "Jihad". The context is obviously holy war. Well that is the quote from the site... but obviously these people (who wrote the article) do not understand Arabic, because the root word of Jihad is strugge, not holy war. JHD literally means to struggle. 9:29
9:38-39
This is a warning to those who refuse to fight, that they will be punished with Hell. I'm assuming this is coming from: O you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah , you adhere heavily to the earth? ... But if so "[going] for in the cause of Allah" does not mean fighting, it could mean praying, giving to charity, dawah(teaching non-believers about Islam) or a wide variety of activities. Even if it means fighting, as I have shown before there is also a wide variety of restrictions and rules that apply to fighting, you can't just go out and start killing. 9:41-42
(9:42) - "If there had been immediate gain (in sight), and the journey easy, they would (all) without doubt have followed thee, but the distance was long, (and weighed) on them" This contradicts the myth that Muslims are to fight only in self-defense, since the wording implies that battle will be waged a long distance from home (in another country and on Christian soil, in this case, according to the historians). No it really doesn't, see 9:40 If you do not aid the Prophet - Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, "Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us." And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah - that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. The long distance, is the distance between Mekkah and Medhina. These days it's not a hard travel, but if you walked it by foot it would be a long hard trip. Distance between Mekkah and Medhina is 475 km which is 295.151 miles, the average human walking speed is 5km/phr so it would take 95 hours to walk. As I said a hard trip. 9:73
"O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination." Dehumanizing those who reject Islam, by reminding Muslims that they are merely firewood for Hell, makes it easier to justify slaughter. It also explains why today's devout Muslims have little regard for those outside the faith. They really take some leaps and bounds here. This verse is meant to give some determination to the muslims, to inspire them to spread the message. 9:72 explains all the great things the believers get: Allah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allah is greater. It is that which is the great attainment. and 73 explains the punishment. Their argument is also made null by the facts above (giving shelter to polytheists who asked). 9:88 They said: "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." And once again misquoted this verse, though it is minor it is important: But the Messenger and those who believed with him fought with their wealth and their lives. Those will have [all that is] good, and it is those who are the successful. This verse is not a commandment, it is reiteration of history. This verse uses a past tense, telling you it already happened, not that you need to do it. It isn't a commandment to fight, its explaining that the Prophet(SAW) already fought. These people are just willing to attack anything. 9:123
17:16
"And when We wish to destroy a town, We send Our commandment to the people of it who lead easy lives, but they transgress therein; thus the word proves true against it, so We destroy it with utter destruction." Note that the crime is moral transgression, and the punishment is "utter destruction." (Before ordering the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden first issued Americans an invitation to Islam). Firstly this verse isn't a commandment to Muslims. This verse is Allah(SWT) speaking of His own actions. Next lets look at what He is saying He does. When a town is going to be destroyed, Allah(SWT) sends a message to the rich/well off, but they (the rich/well off) often ignore it and continue in sin, so Allah(SWT) destroys them. This happens in our world all the time. The rich use their power to control and exploit the poor, but it ultimately leads to their own demise. We saw this with Libya we saw this with Egypt, and we are seeing this with Syria now. The rich can only control the poor so long before the poor rise up. For more on this read: Quran Translation and Commentary 18:65
This parable lays the theological groundwork for honor killings, in which a family member is murdered because they brought shame to the family, either through apostasy or perceived moral indiscretion. The story (which is not found in any Jewish or Christian source) tells of Moses encountering a man with "special knowledge" who does things which don't seem to make sense on the surface, but are then justified according to later explanation. One such action is to murder a youth for no apparent reason (74). However, the wise man later explains that it was feared that the boy would "grieve" his parents by "disobedience and ingratitude." He was killed so that Allah could provide them a 'better' son. (Note: This is one reason why honor killing is sanctioned by Sharia. Reliance of the Traveler (Umdat al-Saliq) says that punishment for murder is not applicable when a parent or grandparent kills their offspring (o.1.1-2).) I've actually written about this story (it's one of my favorites) which can be read here(Musa and Khidr) But for completeness the phrase used in the Qur'an means the following:
Now disobedience may not be a reason to kill someone, but if he was to become an opressor, that could very well be a reason to kill someone. And as this story is following Prophets Musa and alKhidr(AS) we can assume it was probably the later (Musa already had a history of over throwing tyrant oppressors). 21:44
25:52
"Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness..." "Strive against" is Jihad - obviously not in the personal context. It's also significant to point out that this is a Meccan verse. Yes, strive against means Jihad. But purposely left out a large part of the verse: So do not obey the disbelievers, and strive against them with the Qur'an a great striving. Strive against them with the Qur'an. Now I can't imagine that bringing a book to beat someone with is an effective battle strategy, maybe it's just me but a sword seems the better option. So obviously this isn't saying to go to war, it must then mean to debate and argue. Hopefully we can keep this in mind, that Jihad doesn't mean just war, but simple to struggle for what is right. 33:60-62
"If the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, and the alarmists in the city do not cease, We verily shall urge thee on against them, then they will be your neighbors in it but a little while. Accursed, they will be seized wherever found and slain with a (fierce) slaughter." This passage sanctions the slaughter (rendered "merciless" and "horrible murder" in other translations) against three groups: Hypocrites (Muslims who refuse to "fight in the way of Allah" (3:167) and hence don't act as Muslims should), those with "diseased hearts" (which include Jews and Christians 5:51-52), and "alarmists" or "agitators who include those who merely speak out against Islam, according to Muhammad's biographers. It is worth noting that the victims are to be sought out by Muslims, which is what today's terrorists do. If this passage is meant merely to apply to the city of Medina, then it is unclear why it is included in Allah's eternal word to Muslim generations. Wowza there's so much bs there I almost choked. Firstly as we've seen in past verses Hypocrites means a wide variety of things, people who lie, people who break treaties, and all sorts more. Second "those in whose hearts is a disease" does not mean Christians and Jews. Christians and Jews are constantly refereed to as "People of the Book" throughout the Qur'an. Next the "alarmists" as they put it are also translated as "those who spread rumors" and "those who stir up sedition" so this is referring to people who are causing problems and trying to incite an uprising.
Lastly, "his passage is meant merely to apply to the city of Medina, then it is unclear why it is included in Allah's eternal word to Muslim generations." maybe because it is part of our history? Or should we just erase every that may seem violent from our entire history? 47:3-4
Once again there is huge amounts left out of these verses: 3 This is because the disbelievers follow falsehood, while the believers follow the truth from their Lord. In this way God shows people their true type. So with that extra bit that was left out what does it say as a whole? Fight those that are attacking you, take them prisoner. Then after the war is over, free them or ransom them. What is interesting to note is that freeing them is placed first and given in higher regard. 47:35
This verse merely tells the Muslims they should not be the one begging for peace, especially in this situation when they are the one being attacked. This same logic applies today. If your country is attacked, it doesn't ask the other country for peace, it goes to war with them, then if the other country asks for peace it the two may be able to reach an agreement. 48:17
Contemporary apologists sometimes claim that Jihad means 'spiritual struggle.' Is so, then why are the blind, lame and sick exempted? This verse also says that those who do not fight will suffer torment in hell. So incase we haven't established it yet, Jihad means simply "to struggle" that is it. Literally. Get and Arab to English Dictionary. Struggling can be anything, it can be getting up at 5am to pray, it can be fasting an entire month, or it can mean going to war. This particular verse is talking about war, thus the disabled are exempt. But as was previously mentioned, this Surah is about the war between the Meccan's and Muslim in Medina. So what does this verse mean? When someone is attacking you, threatening your homes, families, and life style (for a second time after forcing you to move to a new city), it's a sin to run and hide. Instead stand up and fight. 48:29
"Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard (ruthless) against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves" Islam is not about treating everyone equally. There are two very distinct standards that are applied based on religious status. Also the word used for 'hard' or 'ruthless' in this verse shares the same root as the word translated as 'painful' or severe' in verse 16. Now I checked 6 different translations, and nonwhere could I find ruthless. I did find:
From this I would say the Qur'an isn't speaking of anything physical, but rather spiritual. It isn't saying beat them, it's saying reprimand them. Not to mention the Qur'an goes on in that verse to talk about bowing in prostration (praying) and seeking Allah's pleasure (doing good deeds etc).
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers - so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward. 61:4
"Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way" Religion of Peace, indeed! The verse explicitly refers to "battle array" meaning war. This is followed by (61:9): "He it is who has sent His Messenger (Mohammed) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam) to make it victorious over all religions even though the infidels may resist." (See next verse, below). Infidels who resist Islamic rule are to be fought. More blatant BS from start to finish, but let's look at the verses shall we? 2) O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? This Surah's main theme comes from verse 4, it's about unity, it commands muslims to try and stick together like ranks in a well compact wall. This Surah cites Isa (Jesus, AS) and Musa (Moses, AS) as other Prophets who had similar problems. So that dismantels this argument all together, since Isa never went to war or command armies, or even told anyone to fight.. But to be through here is 61:9: It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion, although those who associate others with Allah dislike it. Beats me where they see 'battle array'. And again I checked 6 different translations, you can too [61:9] 61:10-12 "O You who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment. That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad ), and that you strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know! (If you do so) He will forgive you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwelling in Gardens of 'Adn - Eternity ['Adn (Edn) Paradise], that is indeed the great success." This verse refers to physical battle in order to make Islam victorious over other religions (see above). It uses the Arabic word, Jihad As was addressed earlier, this Surah is dealing with unity and spirituality in the Muslim community, not wars. I also love that they think using the word Jihad immediately makes it evil, it reminds me of someone trying to scare a kid. "And then it uses the word JIHAD OOOOOOO!!!!" 66:9 "O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern with them. Hell will be their home, a hapless journey's end." The root word of "Jihad" is used again here. The context is clearly holy war, and the scope of violence is broadened to include "hypocrites" - those who call themselves Muslims but do not act as such. Again hypocrites does not mean bad muslims, hypocrites is used to describe oath breakers, treaty breakers, really anyone that goes back on their word. And again Jihad means a wide variety of things as I have shown throughout these articles. The series is over, hopefully everyone learned something. Whether it was that the Qur'an, when taken in it's true context, does not teach hatred and violence; or that Jeremy can ramble on forever. Learning and education was my primary concern. As a side note I had a few people ask me what I really wanted from this. Was it some kind of psudeo-quora/internet fame? Getting lots of upvotes? Not really, I just want more education. Not just for myself but for everyone. If you are more educated, you can't be manipulated into doing things. Whether it is terrorist activities or just hatred and bigotry. That's why I am so adamant about having everyone upvote, share, and promote this. I want to win back Islam's name. So help out if you can! Education is the first step to eliminate the hatred! |
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