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Peace in the Qur'an
Anonymous      14 December 2003
Q: Does Islam really teach peace? I am a Christian and I do not hate Muslims, but I read in the Qur’an verses like, "And slay them wherever ye catch them.." (2:191) and "..But if they turn away, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks." (4:89). How can a peaceful religion teach these things? How do you explain these verses. These quotations from your Holy Book do really make us very uneasy with your faith. I would appreciate your reply.

A: Thank you very much for your kind words that you do not hate Muslims. Hate is not good for any person. I want to assure you that we Muslims also do not hate non-Muslims, be they Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhist or followers of any religion or no religion. Our religions does not allow killing any innocent person regardless of his or her religion. The life of all human beings is sacrosanct according to the teachings of the Qur'an and the guidance of our blessed Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him and upon all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah.


The Qur'an says about the prohibition of murder:

وَلاَ تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

"..Take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus does He command you, that ye may learn wisdom." (al-An'am 6:151)


and Allah says in the Qur'an:

وَلاَ تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ وَمَنْ قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِ سُلْطَانًا فَلاَ يُسْرِفْ فِي الْقَتْلِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مَنصُورًا

"Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the law)" (al-Isra' 17:33)


According to the Qur'an, killing any person without a just cause is as big a sin as killing the whole humanity and saving the life of one person is as good deed as saving the whole humanity. (See al-Ma'idah 5:32)


However, your question is valid then how come the Qur'an says:


"kill them wherever you find them..."
as it is mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah 2:191 and Surah al-Nisa' 4:89. The answer is simple and that is you should read these verses in their textual and historical context. You should read the whole verse and it is better that you read few verses before and few after. Read the full text and see what is said:
 

وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلاَ تَعْتَدُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَخْرِجُوهُمْ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَخْرَجُوكُمْ وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنْ الْقَتْلِ وَلاَ تُقَاتِلُوهُمْ عِنْدَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ حَتَّى يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِيهِ فَإِنْ قَاتَلُوكُمْ فَاقْتُلُوهُمْ كَذَلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ فَإِنْ انتَهَوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّى لاَ تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ لِلَّهِ فَإِنْ انتَهَوْا فَلاَ عُدْوَانَ إِلاَّ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ الشَّهْرُ الْحَرَامُ بِالشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ وَالْحُرُمَاتُ قِصَاصٌ فَمَنْ اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ فَاعْتَدُوا عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors. And kill 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, kill them. Such is the reward of those who reject faith. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 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 practice oppression. The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves." (al-Baqarah 2:190-194)


For your second quotation also read the full text:
 

وَدُّوا لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُوا فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَاءً فَلاَ تَتَّخِذُوا مِنْهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ حَتَّى يُهَاجِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَخُذُوهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ وَجَدْتُمُوهُمْ وَلاَ تَتَّخِذُوا مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَلاَ نَصِيرًا إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ إِلَى قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ مِيثَاقٌ أَوْ جَاءُوكُمْ حَصِرَتْ صُدُورُهُمْ أَنْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ أَوْ يُقَاتِلُوا قَوْمَهُمْ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَسَلَّطَهُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ فَلَقَاتَلُوكُمْ فَإِنْ اعْتَزَلُوكُمْ فَلَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ وَأَلْقَوْا إِلَيْكُمْ السَّلَمَ فَمَا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ سَبِيلاً سَتَجِدُونَ آخَرِينَ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَأْمَنُوكُمْ وَيَأْمَنُوا قَوْمَهُمْ كُلَّ مَا رُدُّوا إِلَى الْفِتْنَةِ أُرْكِسُوا فِيهَا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَعْتَزِلُوكُمْ وَيُلْقُوا إِلَيْكُمْ السَّلَمَ وَيَكُفُّوا أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَخُذُوهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوهُمْ وَأُوْلَئِكُمْ جَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانًا مُبِينًا

"They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): so take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (from what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks. Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (Of peace), or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. If Allah had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you: therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (guarantees of) peace, then Allah hath opened no way for you (to war against them). Others you will find that wish to gain your confidence as well as that of their people: every time they are sent back to temptation, they succumb thereto; if they withdraw not from you nor give you (guarantees) of peace besides restraining their hands, seize them and slay them wherever ye get them; in their case We have provided you with a clear argument against them. (Al-Nisa' 4:89-91)


Now tell me honestly, do these verses give a free permission to kill any one any where? These verses were revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allah Ta'ala Alaihi Wa Salam) at the time when Muslims were attacked by the non-Muslims of Makkah on a regular basis. They were frightening the Muslim community of Madinah. One may say using the contemporary jargon that there were constant terrorist attacks on Madinah and in this situation Muslims were given permission to fight back the "terrorist". These verses are not a permission for "terrorism" but they are a warning against the "terrorists." But even in these warnings you can see how much restraint and care is emphasized.


It is important that we study the religious texts in their proper context. When these texts are not read in their proper textual and historical contexts they are manipulated and distorted. It is true that some Muslims manipulate these verses for their own goals. But this is not only with Islamic texts, it is also true with the texts of other religions. I can quote dozens of verses from the Bible which seem very violent, if taken out from their historical context. These Biblical texts have been used by many violent Jewish and Christian groups. Crusaders used them against Muslims and Jews. Nazis used them against Jews. Recently Serbian Christians used them against Bosnian Muslims. Zionists are using them regularly against Palestinians.


Let me mention just a few verses from the Old Testament and New Testament and tell me what do you say about them:
 

"When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you. And when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. (Deutronomy 7:1-2)

"When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it terms of peace. If it agrees to make peace with you and opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall become your forced labor and shall serve you. However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword. Only the women and the children and the animals and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as booty for yourself; and you shall use the spoil of your enemies which the LORD your God has given you... Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes (Deutronomy 20:10-17)

Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls who have not known man intimately, sparefor yourselves. (Numbers 31:17-18)


Even in the New Testament we read the following statement attributed to Jesus saying to his disciples:
 

"I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence. (Luke 19:26-27)
 

Source: http://www.pakistanlink.com/religion/2001/1012.html



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Comments (12)
Christianity and Islam
David       12 Wednesday, 21 July 2010 12:51
I am a Christian, who is embarassed by our hypocracy. We are called to pray for those who mistreat us not retaliate. To condemn people who believe in responing to opression or violence with violence, when we are doing (our country which is "Christian") the same thing is hypocritical. There are extremists in both religions. The moderates need to be bold and confront those who are misrepresenting their religion, in love, to stop. Jesus didn't force people to believe in him. We can show Jesus's love for all by sticking to all his commandments, the greatest being Love God with all your Heart, and treat your neighbor as yourself. He specified a neighbor without geographic boundaries. Its All people without prejudice. Maybe the people of Islam would be inclined to learn more about Jesus if we follow what he preached. Even the sinners love those who love them. God bless, healthy dialogue with respect to all is ok.
Comprehending is key
Christian w/Common Sense       11 Tuesday, 22 June 2010 15:49
This is amazing. Some of these comments show that people are either too defensive or don't know how to comprehend what was written here. Many scriptures in either the Bible or the Qur'an can simply be taken out of context or misinterpreted if you take one or two verses out & just read them. Think about it.
The Koran proven false
Servant of JESUS - the almighty LORD.       10 Friday, 14 May 2010 06:28
Two wrongs do NOT make a RIGHT.

If someone fights you - and you fight back - all that is created - is the OPPOSITE of peace - which is CHAOS.

Jesus says: if someone slaps you on one cheek - turn the other ( do NOT fight BACK ) - THIS creates PEACE.

This makes it clear that Jesus is the only one that taught peace.

As for the violence in the old testament - that was GOD initiating the violence - using his men as PUPPETS - to filter out all evil from Israel - in order to fullfill the covenant that he made with them ( to save them from all evil ).

So that was God who utterly destroyed EVIL people through his men - as God says all over the old Testament " Vengeance is MINE " - he clearly takes it

So how do we know who is evil, and who is not?

We know by the critique of the spirit - which is RIGHTEOUSNESS. Who ever therefore does not believe in Jesus - does not believe in righteousness ( as Jesus demonstrated that he is righteousness ITSELF ( the HOLY SPIRIT - that we cannot see, but we can understand and have with us )). Whoever does not follow the words of JESUS - which are the words of life - and whoever does not accept him as LORD - which he TRULY is - this person is evil - and worthy of condemnation.

Jesus proved to be righteousness - by PREACHING righteousness.

Righteousness is the feeling that feels to NEVER fight BACK - to not fight FIRE with FIRE - but with water. To BLESS those who CURSE us. To PRAY for those who attack us and fight us and misuse us and abuse us. To HELP those who do not have food and clothes and water and nourishment, to COMFORT the lonely, the jailed and the sad.


EVEN if they do not currently believe in ALLAH ( GOD )

THIS is clearly love ( righteousness )

Muhammad did not teach this.

All throughout the old testament - God makes it very CLEAR with many signs that it is HIM who initiates the violence against EVIL people through the people of Israel - showing that there is NO sign of God ever teaching violence - as muhammad did.

The ONLY one who has the right to initiate violence is the HOLY God. Unless therefore God possesses a nation to fight - NO one should fight.

THIS is the covenant of God.
C'mon
Uhhhh       9 Saturday, 17 October 2009 03:04
Some of you commenters are absolute morons. Misquoted (Seth), you obviously don't get logic, or you can't read. As said previously, they were making the point that any book can have portions pulled from context and thus give false meaning.

To quote the first words Muhammad heard from Allah... "READ!"
Islam and Christianity!
Brandon Hall       8 Friday, 18 September 2009 18:53
I honestly believe that if your a christian, you cannot pull verses out of the Qur'an and make accusations. If your a christian and you want to learn about the Muslim Faith, YOU NEED TO READ THE ENTIRE QUR'AN! I also feel the same thing vice versa, Muslims have to read the ENTIRE HOLY BIBLE to be educated about Christianity. Most people who pull questions and accusations out of individual verses, or indivual's actions are completely uneducated about the Qur'an and the Holy Bible.
Right
Isaac       7 Tuesday, 08 September 2009 01:58
Exactly, it's an illustration of context. I think it's a good idea to go up or down a handful of verses for more understanding; it won't kill you to put 5 minutes into something that would prevent you from killing someone over a misunderstanding of the text they believe in?
It was on purpose
Mike       6 Sunday, 06 September 2009 21:06
He took the bible quotes out of context to make a point. Read what he said before he quoted it.
He is showing that if you take it out of context then the meaning sounds far different from what the scripture is actually saying.
Not Jesus Quote
Carrie Vaessen       5 Thursday, 25 June 2009 20:45
Hi, just wanted to point out that the last quote of Jesus is actually not Jesus addressing his disciples. That is a quote of an "unfeeling master" talking viciously to his servants. The explanation is just misrepresenting Jesus's character there. Thanks!
Message to earth (Seth)
Stop'n In       4 Friday, 24 April 2009 00:26
Did you not just read the whole conversation? He said that even verses from the Torah and New testamate can be taken out of context. He is just giving examples of the same thing people are doing with verses from the Qur'an. READ BEFORE YOU COMMENT!
To Seth
Ausaf Lateef       3 Tuesday, 20 January 2009 03:50
I believe the purpose was to show how taking things out of context can give them entire new meanings.
Thanks a lot
Junaid Khan       2 Wednesday, 28 May 2008 01:37
Aslam uli kum
I live in Australia, I know I got very little knowledge about few things in Islam. I work here and one of my work mate asked me same Question today and i don't have any Answer. But thanks a lot for you this link due to which i able to answer Him
Many thanks again
Waslam
Misquoted.
Seth       1 Monday, 05 May 2008 02:35
If we have to read the verses before the mis quoted text of your belief shouldn't you have read the verses leading to mine? When you quoted Luke 19 you took those verses out of context....The Lord was telling a PARABLE to Zacchaeus about a ruler that had un reliable servants who wanted to overthrow him and not do as he said....
"1: And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2: And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3: And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4: And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5: And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6: And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7: And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8: And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9: And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
11: And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12: He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14: But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15: And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16: Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17: And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18: And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19: And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20: And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22: And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24: And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25: (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26: For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27: But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me."

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