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PipinHotCocoa: My
sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them
eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of
my hand. John 10:27-28
Jesus
(From the gospels)
You have heard that
it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to
you,
do not repay evil with evil or else evil will prevail
1. Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right
cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your
coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one
mile, go with him two miles. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love
your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
2. But I say to you, Love your enemies and
3. pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who
is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and
sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you,
what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you
salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the
Gentiles do the same?
4. You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(Matthew
5:38-48) So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be
revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter
in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops.
5. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather
fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold
for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's
will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore;
you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:26-31
Muhammad (From the Koran)
[2.190] And fight in the way of
Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah
does not love those who exceed the limits.
[2.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence
they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight
with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do
fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.
RKC: Why didn’t you provide verse 192 & 193?
Surah 2
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.
PipinHotCocoa: [4.74] Therefore let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell this
world's life for the hereafter; and whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be
he slain or be he victorious, We shall grant him a mighty reward.
RKC:
Why didn’t you provide verse 75 & 76?
Surah 4
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).
75. And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who,
being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)?- Men, women, and children, whose
cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors;
and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one
who will help!"
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.
PipinHotCocoa: [8.12] When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore
make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into
the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike
off every fingertip of them. [8.65] O Prophet! urge the believers to war; if
there are twenty patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if
there are a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who
disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand.
RKC: Are you saying you don’t worship the
God of the Old Testament?
Exodus 15
1 Then Moses and the people of
2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my
salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will
exalt him.
3 The LORD is
a man of war; the LORD is his name.
4 "Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea; and
his picked officers are sunk in the
5 The floods cover them; they went down into the depths like a
stone.
6 Thy right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, thy right hand, O
LORD, shatters the enemy.
7 In the greatness of thy majesty thou overthrowest thy adversaries; thou sendest forth thy fury,
it consumes them like stubble.
8 At the blast of thy nostrils the waters
piled up, the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of
the sea.
9 The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide
the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand
shall destroy them.'
10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them; they sank as
lead in the mighty waters.
11 "Who is like thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee,
majestic in holiness, terrible in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
12 Thou didst stretch out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
13 "Thou hast led in thy steadfast love the people whom thou
hast redeemed, thou hast guided them by thy strength
to thy holy abode.
14 The peoples have heard, they tremble; pangs have
seized on the inhabitants of
15 Now are the chiefs of
16 Terror and
dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of thy arm, they are as
still as a stone, till thy people, O LORD, pass by, till the people pass by
whom thou hast purchased.
17 Thou wilt bring them in, and plant them on thy own mountain, the
place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thy abode, the sanctuary, LORD, which
thy hands have established.
18 The LORD will reign for ever and ever."
Deuteronomy 2
24 'Rise up, take your journey, and go over the valley of the Arnon;
behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his
land; begin to take possession, and contend with him in battle.
25 This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the peoples that are
under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you and shall tremble and be in anguish
because of you.'
PipinHotCocoa: [9.5] So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the
idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and
lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer
and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving,
Merciful.
[9.29] Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do
they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the
religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay
the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.
The Koran contains many such verses.
RKC: See below references to these verses.
PipinHotCocoa: Jesus
Jesus, and only Jesus, is the Prince of Peace. Through Jesus, and only
through Jesus, is there a legitimate basis for peace and that is not peace for
this world but peace for his disciples who are in the world and only for his
disciples. He has promised us his peace and he is true to his
promise. Hear him:
John 14
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I
give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
This peace comes only to those who truly follow him and obey his Word. To
this end he has commanded us:
Luke 6
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return;
and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is
kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Matthew 5
39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil.
We have then his wonderful promise, expressed as a beatitude:
Matthew 5
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
The consequences for
Jesus and all his followers, and for the world and all of its peoples, are as
follows:
The is no war
In the
And in the world, no peace.
Peace in the kingdom
And war in the world,
And neither ever cease.
RKC: Taken from the category of “War”.
In the New Testament. Contrary to a widely held view,
the position of the New Testament is not total pacifism: that was the product
of church fathers, principally Tertullian, Origen, and Cyprian. According
to Matthew, Jesus stated that “wars and rumors of wars” are part of the present
world order (Matt. 24.6-7) and said bluntly that he had come not to “bring
peace to the earth, but a sword” (Matt. 10.34). According to Luke (3.14), John
the Baptist did not forbid the soldiers to participate in war. When Jesus’
disciples were about to face the hostile world, he advised them to sell their
robes to buy swords (Luke 22.35-36, 38). Paul recognized that the governing
authorities maintain order with the sword and urged his readers to be subject
to such authorities (
The
Edited by Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan
Page 792
PipinHotCocoa: Muhammad. How great the
contrast when we compare Jesus to Muhammad! There could hardly be a
greater! Muhammad was from the outset a man of war,…
RKC: Muhammad began preaching in 610CE and first fought a war in 624CE. During those 14 years, Muhammad watched as his followers were persecuted, killed, forced to move (twice), property seized, financially ruined, and starved to death. In addition, Muhammad was the target of assassinations. That’s 14 years! That’s more than 4 times longer than Jesus’(p) entire ministry, yet “from the outset a man of war”???
PipinHotCocoa: …his religion a militant religion, and he and his followers committed
to violence in the pursuit of their faith.
RKC:
See above reference to Exodus 15.
PipinHotCocoa: We have selected a few of the most heinous and militant statements
from Muhammad's Koran and present them below for your comparison with
Jesus. You may note in these passages the "carrot and stick"
policy that characterizes Islam. All who submit to Muhammad (Islam means
submission) receive his carrots, in terms of spoils of war, assured peace and
blessing in this world, and paradise in the hereafter. All who stubbornly
resist -- for them is ordained the stick -- or rather, the sword. In this
world, it is "strike off their heads" and in the world to come,
"the fire."
RKC: Myth: Islam was spread by the
sword
Islam Spread by the Sword ? The Myth and the Reality
Surah 2
256. Let there be no compulsion in
religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and
believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never
breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.
Surah 109
1. Say : O ye that reject Faith!
2. I worship not that which ye worship,
3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
4. And I will not worship that which ye have been
wont to worship,
5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
6. To you be your Way, and to me mine.
PipinHotCocoa: The Koranic emphasis on peace is also evident, but when we take the
whole in view we must conclude that it applies only to those who are submitted,
in some degree, to the Islamic way of seeing things.
RKC: What is the “Islamic way of seeing things”?.
PipinHotCocoa: When we examine the first years of Islam during which Muhammad was
securing his base, first in
RKC:
Why don’t you list these “campaigns” and “massacres” so we can examine the
circumstances behind these incidents?
PipinHotCocoa: Passages
from the Koran on Holy War (Jihad) and Fighting
(From an electronic version of The Holy Qur'an, translated by
M.H. Shakir and published by Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Inc., in
1983.)
SURA 2 - THE COW
[2.190] And fight in the way of Allah
with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does
not love those who exceed the limits.
[2.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence
they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight
with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do
fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.
[2.192] But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[2.193] And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should
be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except
against the oppressors.
[2.194] The Sacred month for the sacred month and all sacred things are (under
the law of) retaliation; whoever then acts aggressively against you, inflict
injury on him according to the injury he has inflicted on you and be careful
(of your duty) to Allah and know that Allah is with those who guard (against
evil).
[2.195] And spend in the way of Allah and cast not yourselves to perdition with
your own hands, and do good (to others); surely Allah loves the doers of good.
RKC:
See above
PipinHotCocoa: [2.216] Fighting is enjoined on you, and it is an object of dislike to
you; and it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it
may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while
you do not know.
[2.217]
They ask you concerning the sacred month about fighting in it. Say: Fighting in
it is a grave matter, and hindering (men) from Allah's way and denying Him, and
(hindering men from) the Sacred Mosque and turning its people out of it, are
still graver with Allah, and persecution is graver than slaughter; and they
will not cease fighting with you until they turn you back from your religion,
if they can; and whoever of you turns back from his
religion, then he dies while an unbeliever-- these it is whose works shall go
for nothing in this world and the hereafter, and they are the inmates of the
fire; therein they shall abide.
RKC:
See below.
Surah 2
215. They ask thee what they should spend (In
charity). Say: Whatever ye spend that is good, is for parents and kindred and
orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good,
-(Allah) knoweth it well.
Footnotes for Verse 215
235.Three questions arise in charity: (1) What shall
we give? (2) to whom shall we give? and (3) how shall we give? The answer is
here. Give anything that is good, useful, helpful, valuable. It may be
property or money; it may be a helping
hand; it may be advice; it may be a kind word; “whatever ye do that is good” is
charity. On the other hand, if you throw away what is useless, there is no
charity in it. Or if you give something with harmful intent, e.g., a sword to a
madman, or a drug or sweets or even money to someone whom you want to corrupt,
it is no charity but a gift to damnation. To whom should you give? It may be
tempting to earn the world’s praise by a gift that will be talked about, but
are you meeting the needs of those who have the first claim on you? If you are
not, you are like a person who defrauds creditors: it is no charity. Every gift
is judged by its unselfish character: the degree of need or claim is a factor
which you should consider; if you disregard it, there is something selfish
behind it. How should it be given? As in the sight of Allah ; this shuts out
all presence, show, and insincerity.
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.
Footnotes for Verse 216
236. To fight in the cause of Truth is one of the highest forms of charity.
What can you offer that is more precious than your own life? But here
again the limitations come in. If you are a mere brawler, or a selfish
aggressive person, or a vainglorious
bully, you deserve the highest censure. Allah knows the value of the things
better than you do.
217. They ask thee concerning fighting in the
Prohibited Month. Say: "Fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of
Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to
the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its members." Tumult and oppression are
worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn
you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you Turn back from their
faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in
the Hereafter; they will be companions of the Fire and will abide therein.
218. Those who believed and those who suffered
exile and fought (and strove and struggled) in the path of Allah,- they have
the hope of the Mercy of Allah. And Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
PipinHotCocoa: SURA 4 - WOMEN
[4.74]
Therefore let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell this world's life for
the hereafter; and whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be he slain or be
he victorious, We shall grant him a mighty reward.
[4.75] And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah
and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, (of) those who
say: Our Lord! cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are
oppressors, and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper.
[4.76] Those who believe fight in the way of Allah, and those who disbelieve
fight in the way of the Shaitan. Fight therefore against the friends of the
Shaitan; surely the strategy of the Shaitan is weak.
RKC:
See above
PipinHotCocoa: SURA 8 - THE SPOILS
[8.12] When your
Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who
believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve.
Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
[8.13] This is
because they acted adversely to Allah and His Apostle; and whoever acts
adversely to Allah and His Apostle-- then surely Allah is severe in requiting
(evil).
[8.14] This-- taste it, and (know) that for the unbelievers is the chastisement
of fire.
[8.15] O you who believe! when you meet those who disbelieve marching for war,
then turn not your backs to them.
[8.16] And whoever
shall turn his back to them on that day-- unless he turn aside for the sake of
fighting or withdraws to a company-- then he, indeed, becomes deserving of
Allah's wrath, and his abode is hell; and an evil destination shall it be.
[8.17] So you did not slay them, but it was Allah Who slew them, and you did
not smite when you smote (the enemy), but it was Allah Who smote, and that He
might confer upon the believers a good gift from Himself; surely Allah is
Hearing, Knowing.
RKC:
See above reference to Exodus 15. These verses are referring to the Battle
of Badr.
Footnotes for Verse 12
1189. The vulnerable parts of an armed man are above
the neck. A blow on the neck, face, or head, finishes him off. If he has armour
it is difficult to get at his heart. But if his hands are put out of action, he
is unable to wield his swords or lance or other weapon, and easily becomes a
prisoner.
Footnotes for Verse 15
1190. The laws of spiritual fight are exactly similar
to those enforced by military virtue and discipline. Meet your enemy fairly and
squarely, not rashly, but after due preparation. Zahfan in the text (meeting in
hostile array) implies a slow and well planned proceeding towards a hostile
army. When once in combat, carry it through: there is no room for second
thoughts. Death or victory should be the motto of every soldier: it may be
death for himself individually, but if he has faith, there is triumph in either
case for his cause. Two exceptions are recognised: (1) reculer pour mieux
sauter, to go back in order to jump forward; or to deceive the enemy by a
feint; (2) if an individual or body is, by the chances of battle, isolated from
his own force, he can fall back on his force in order to fight the battle.
There is no virtue in mere single-handedness. Each individual must use his life
and his resources to the best advantage for the common cause.
Deuteronomy 20
1 "When you go forth to war against your enemies, and see
horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them; for the
LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
2 And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward
and speak to the people,
3 and shall say to them, 'Hear, O
4 for the LORD your God is he that goes with you, to fight for you
against your enemies, to give you the victory.'
Psalms 27
3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though
war arise against me, yet
I will be confident.
PipinHotCocoa: [8.65] O Prophet! urge the believers to war; if there are twenty
patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a hundred
of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are
a people who do not understand.
[8.66]
For the present Allah has made light your burden, and He knows that there is
weakness in you; so if there are a hundred patient ones of you they shall
overcome two hundred, and if there are a thousand they shall overcome two
thousand by Allah's permission, and Allah is with the patient.
[8.67] It is not fit for a prophet that he should take captives unless he has
fought and triumphed in the land; you desire the frail goods of this world,
while Allah desires (for you) the hereafter; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.
[8.68] Were it not for an ordinance from Allah that had already gone forth,
surely there would have befallen you a great chastisement for what you had
taken to.
[8.69] Eat then of the lawful and good (things) which you have acquired in war,
and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
RKC: Read the surrounding verses.
Surah 8
56. They are those with whom thou didst make a
covenant, but they break
their covenant every time, and they have not the fear (of Allah..
57. If ye gain the mastery over them in war,
disperse, with them, those who follow them, that they may remember.
58. If thou fearest treachery from any group, throw
back (their covenant) to them, (so as to be) on equal terms: for Allah loveth
not the treacherous.
59. Let not the unbelievers think that they can get
the better (of the godly): they will never frustrate (them).
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.
61. But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards
peace, and trust in Allah. for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all
things).
62. Should they intend to deceive thee,- verily
Allah sufficeth thee: He it is That hath strengthened thee with His aid and
with (the company of) the Believers;
63. And (moreover) He hath put affection between
their hearts: not if thou hadst spent all that is in the earth, couldst thou
have produced that affection, but Allah hath done it: for He is Exalted in
might, Wise.
64. O Messenger. sufficient unto thee is Allah,-
(unto thee) and unto those who follow thee among the Believers.
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.
66. For the present, Allah hath lightened your
(task), for He knoweth that there is a weak spot in you: But (even so), if
there are a hundred of you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two
hundred, and if a thousand, they will vanquish two thousand, with the leave of
Allah. for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.
67. It is not fitting for an apostle that he should
have prisoners of war until he hath thoroughly subdued the land. Ye look for
the temporal goods of this world; but Allah looketh to the Hereafter: And Allah
is Exalted in might, Wise.
68. Had it not been for a previous ordainment from
Allah, a severe penalty would have reached you for the (ransom) that ye took.
69. But (now) enjoy what ye took in war, lawful and
good: but fear Allah. for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
70. O Messenger. say to those who are captives in
your hands: "If Allah findeth any good in your hearts, He will give you
something better than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you:
for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
71. But if they have treacherous designs against
thee, (O Messenger.), they have already been in treason against Allah, and so
hath He given (thee) power over them. And Allah so He Who hath (full) knowledge
and wisdom.
72. Those who believed, and adopted exile, and
fought for the Faith, with their property and their persons, in the cause of
Allah, as well as those who gave (them) asylum and aid,- these are (all) friends
and protectors, one of another. As to those who believed but came not into
exile, ye owe no duty of protection to them until they come into exile; but if
they seek your aid in religion, it is your duty to help them, except against a
people with whom ye have a treaty of mutual alliance. And (remember) Allah
seeth all that ye do.
73. The Unbelievers are protectors, one of another:
Unless ye do this,
(protect each other), there would be tumult and oppression on earth, and great
mischief.
PipinHotCocoa: SURA 9 - IMMUNITY
[9.5] So when the
sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them,
and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every
ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave
their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[9.6] And if one of the idolaters seek protection from you, grant him
protection till he hears the word of Allah, then make him attain his place of
safety; this is because they are a people who do not know.
[9.13] What! will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and aimed
at the expulsion of the Apostle, and they attacked you first; do you fear them?
But Allah is most deserving that you should fear Him, if you are believers.
[9.14] Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to
disgrace, and assist you against them and heal the hearts of a believing
people.
[9.15] And remove the rage of their hearts; and Allah turns (mercifully) to
whom He pleases, and Allah is Knowing, Wise. [9.29] Fight those who do not
believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and
His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who
have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of
superiority and they are in a state of subjection.
RKC: Since this section is brought up so much…
Surah 9
Summary – Treaties with those Pagans who have
treacherously broken their terms are denounced, but four months’ time is given
for adjustments or repentance. Pagans to be excluded from the sacred Mosques.
Infidelity to be fought (9:1-29, and C. 93).
C.93 (9:1-29.) – If the If the Pagans repeatedly
break Their treaties, denounce the treaties, But give them time either to
repent Or to prepare for the just punishment Of their treachery. Punish the
chiefs Of the treacherous, and destroy them. But if one of them
seek asylum, Give it: let him hear the Word Of Allah and escort him to
security. Be true to the true, but fight those Who are false to plighted word
And taunt you for your Faith. No one has the right to approach The mosques of
Allah unless He believes in Allah and follows Allah's Law, the law of
righteousness.
1. A (declaration) of immunity from Allah and His
Messenger, to those of the Pagans with whom ye have contracted mutual
alliances:-
Footnotes for Verse 1
1246. …The Pagans and
enemies of Islam frequently made treaties of mutual alliances with the Muslims.
The Muslims scrupulously
observed their part, but the Pagans violated their part again and again when it
suited them. After some year’s experience it became imperative to
denounce such treaties altogether. This was done in due form, with four month’s
notice, and a chance was given to those who faithfully observed their pledges,
to continue their alliance.
2. Go ye, then, for four months, backwards and
forwards, (as ye will), throughout the land, but know ye that ye cannot
frustrate Allah (by your falsehood) but that Allah will cover with shame those
who reject Him.
3. And
an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the
day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty)
obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if
ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous
penalty to those who reject Faith.
4. (But
the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom ye have entered
into alliance and who have
not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil
your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the
righteous.
Footnotes for Verse 4
1249. The sacred duty of
fulfilling all obligations of every kind, to Muslims and non Muslims, in public
as well as private life, is a cardinal feature of Muslim ethics. The question
of what is to be done with those who abuse this principle by failing in their
duty but expect the Muslims to do their part is not to be solved (in the case
of treaties) by a general denunciation of treaties but by a careful
consideration of the cases where there has been fidelity and not treachery.
There we are enjoined to give the strictest fidelity, as it is a part of
righteousness and our duty to Allah.
5. But
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, and establish regular prayers and
practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is
Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
Footnotes for Verse 5
1250. The emphasis is on
the first clause: it is
only when the four months of grace are past, and the other party shows no signs
of desisting from its treacherous designs by right conduct, that the state of
war supervenes -between Faith and Unfaith.
1251. When war becomes
inevitable, it must be prosecuted with vigour. According to the English phrase,
you cannot fight with kid gloves. The fighting may take the form of slaughter,
or capture, or siege, or ambush and other stratagems. But even then there is
room for repentance and amendment on the part of the guilty party, and if that
takes place, our duty is
forgiveness and the establishment of peace.
1252. The repentance must be sincere, and that is
shown by conduct-a religious spirit of true prayer and charity. In that case we
are not to bar the gate against the repentant. On the contrary we must do all
we can to make their way easy, remembering that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.
6. 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.
Footnotes for Verse 6
1253. Even among the
enemies of Islam, actively fighting against Islam, there may be individuals who
may be in a position to require protection. Full asylum is to be given to them,
and opportunities provided for hearing the Word of Allah. If they accept the
Word, they become Muslims and brethren, and no further question arises. If they do not see their way to
accept Islam, they will require double protection. (1) from the Islamic forces
openly fighting against their people, and (2) from their own people, as they
detached themselves from them- Both kinds of protection should be ensured for
them, and they should be safely escorted to a place where they can be safe.
Such persons only err through ignorance, and there may be much good in them.
1254. Ma'manah
(secure) - place or opportunity of being secure from all harm.
7. How can there be a league, before Allah and His Messenger, with the Pagans, except those with whom ye made a treaty near the sacred Mosque? As long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them: for Allah doth love the righteous.
Footnotes for Verse 7
1255. In this section we
have the reasons why the treaties with treacherous Pagan foes were denounced.
The clause introducing the exception is a parenthetical clause. The word
"Pagans" must be connected with verse 8 which follows. In that verse
the word kayfa resumes the clause introduced by the word kayfa at
the beginning of verse 7. The exceptional Pagan tribes which remained true to
their word were the Banu Hamzah and the Banu Kinana, who swore their treaty
near the Sacred Mosque and faithfully observed it. They were to be given the
full benefit of their fidelity even though their kindred tribes were
treacherous.
8. How (can there be such a league), seeing that if they get an advantage over you, they respect not in you the ties either of kinship or of covenant? With (fair words from) their mouths they entice you, but their hearts are averse from you; and most of them are rebellious and wicked..
Footnotes for Verse 8
1256. The exceptions having been stated
parenthetically in verse 7, the Indictment of the general mass of Pagan tribes
is now set out briefly but fully and convincingly. After that kind of behaviour
how can a treaty be possible with them? The counts are: (1) that whenever they
got a slight advantage, they disregarded the ties both of kinship and of
covenant as against the Muslims because of their Faith, thus proving doubly
treacherous: (2) that they spoke fair words, but had venom in their hearts; (3)
that their attitude was one of rebellion against their plighted word; (4) that
they disregarded the solemn Signs of Allah for some miserable worldly gain; (5)
that they tried to prevent other people from coming to the Way of Allah. The
first clause is repeated again as the last clause, to emphasize their double treachery,
and round off the argument.
1257. Among the Arabs,
the ties of kinship were so strong as to be almost unbreakable. The Pagan Arabs
went out of their way to break them in the case of the Muslims, who were kith
and kin to them. Besides the bond of kinship there was the further bond of
their plighted oath in the Treaty. They broke that oath because the other
parties were Muslims.
9. The Signs of Allah have they sold for a miserable price, and (many) have they hindered from His way: evil indeed are the deeds they have done.
10. In a Believer they respect not the ties either of kinship or of
covenant! It is they who have transgressed all bounds.
Footnotes for Verse 10
1258. The catalogue of
their sins being set out, it is clear that they were aggressors in the worst
possible ways; and war became inevitable.
11. But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand.
Footnotes for Verse 11
1259. The chance of
repentance and mercy to the worst enemies is again emphasised, in order that
people with any understanding may not be misled into thinking that war was an
easy or light matter. This emphasis is balanced by the emphasis in the next
verse on the causes which made war inevitable for those with any self-respect.
12. But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith,- fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith: for their oaths are nothing to them: that thus they may be restrained.
Footnotes for Verse 12
1260. Not only did the
enemies break their oaths shamelessly, but they even taunted the Muslims on
their Faith and the "simple-minded" way in which they continued to
respect their part of the treaty, as if they were afraid to fight! (cf 2:124
and 36:12).
13. Will ye not fight people who violated their oaths, plotted to expel the Messenger, and took the aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do ye fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if ye believe!
Footnotes for Verse 13
1261. The argument now
takes a new turn. An appeal is made to the Muslims on various grounds. (1) the
shameless disregard of treaties by the enemy, (2) the underhanded plots to
discredit the Holy Prophet, and turn him out of Madlnah as he had been turned
out of Makkah, (3) the aggression taken by the Quraysh and their confederates
in Madinah after the treaty to Hudayblyah, (4) the manly attitude that fears
Allah rather than men, and (5) the need to prove our sincere faith by test and
trial and struggle and sacrifice (9:16).
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,
Footnotes for Verse 14
1262. Heal the breasts
of believers, i.e., of wounds that they may have sustained from the
assaults. taunts, and cruelty of the enemy.
15. And still the indignation of their hearts. For Allah will turn (in mercy) to whom He will; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
Footnotes for Verse 15
1263. When the victory
comes and the wounds are healed, a great peace comes to the hearts of those who
have suffered, striven, and struggled. The fighting was an abnormal necessity
forced by injustice and oppression. When Allah's Law is established, the fire
of indignation is quelled, and the true Peace of Islam is attained.
1264. Allah's mercy is unlimited. When evil is destroyed, many of those who were enticed by evil will come into the fold of truth and righteousness, and the cessation of war and conflict will bring peace, certainly to those who fought for the right, but also pos
