Continued from Part-5: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/14197



An Introduction to Real Islam and Jihad (Part 6/15)


[Readers, please note: the original author of this ‘Book’ sent me the draft
for a review and commentary. Having carefully reviewed and having made some
minor corrections/alterations of the draft , I felt compelled to circulate
this basic book on ‘Real Islam’ in the Internet, so that anyone who is
interested in ‘Real Islam’ and Islamic Terrorism may benefit from its rich
content. The original author prefers to remain anonymous at this stage,
until possibly when a publisher agrees to publish this book at an
appropriate time. Due to its prolix nature, I have divided this ’Book’ into
15 parts. This is part 6/15; the remaining parts will be posted as they
become available. Please feel free to comment on this ‘Book.’ All comments
should be sent to abul88@.... Happy reading—Abul Kasem, the
reviewer.]


Chapter 9
More Jihadic Passages from the QUR’AN:

As we continue to review the Qur’an’s verses we will see them widen in
scope of aggression and as we review Muhammad’s actions we will see what
could only be described as a ‘trail of blood conquest’ extend.


PASSAGE FOUR: SURA 2:190 - 192
To be fair, the following verse is one often cited to Westerners in
relation to Jihad, but it is also the first one that was revealed in
connection with Jihad, and, unfortunately, it was subsequently supplemented
(abrogated) by another (V9:36).
2:190. And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not
the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors.
[To be rigorous, we repeat verse, this time from Dawood’s Koran, op cit,
2:190 ‘Fight for the sake of God those that fight against you, but do not
attack them first. God does not love the aggressors.’]

2:191. And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where
they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not
with them at Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they
(first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the
recompense of the disbelievers.


2:192. But if they cease, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.


Two Muslim writers, Asad and Abdullah Yusuf Ali, both state that the
chronology of this passage occurred around the time following the Treaty of
Hudaybiyya. In Ali’s "The Holy Qur’an", [28], page 77, Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s
commentary states,

This passage is illustrated by the events that happened at Hudaybiyyah
in the sixth year of the Hijrah; though it is not clear that it was revealed
on that occasion. The Muslims were by this time a strong and influential
community. Many of them were exiles from Makkah, where the Pagans had
established an intolerant autocracy, persecuting Muslims, preventing them
from visiting their homes, and even keeping them out by force from
performing the Pilgrimage during the universally recognized period of truce.
This was intolerance, oppression, and autocracy to the last degree, and the
mere readiness of the Muslims to enforce their rights as Arab citizens
resulted without bloodshed in an agreement which the Muslims faithfully
observed.


And Asad in "The Message of the Qur’an", [29], page 41:
The reference to warfare in the vicinity of Mecca is due to the fact
that at the time of the revelation of this verse the Holy City was still in
the possession of the pagan Quraysh, who were hostile to the Muslims.


If the Muslim’s chronology above is correct, then this passage
occurred about 2 years before Muhammad conquered Mecca around the time of
the Treaty of Hudaybiyya. This was prior to the conquest of Mecca by the
Muslims and it sounds reasonable to me. A year or so after the treaty
Muslims were allowed to make the pilgrimage but they did not rule Mecca or
the nearby lands. The Muslims were strong now and capable of defending
themselves, but they were not the supreme power in the region. So, Muhammad
ordered them to defend themselves against the Meccan attacks, but not be
aggressors because they had a treaty. However, outside of Mecca, Muhammad
was free to attack tribes of non-Muslims that were not aligned with the
Meccans, and this he did!


Also note that the pact concluded between the Muslims and Meccans was
not a "treaty" in the Western sense of the word. Rather it was a truce or
cease-fire (i.e., an agreement of cessation of hostilities for a 10 year
period). After 10 years, if nothing else had been concluded between the
parties, they would be at odds again.
Ibn Sa’d, op cit, records in volume 2, page 131:
"…he [Muhammad] recited: We have given thee (O Muhammad) a signal
victory [1]. He (Mujammil’) said: A person from the Companions of Muhammad
said: O Apostle of Allah! is it a victory? He replied: By Him in Whose hand
is my soul, it is surely a victory. He (Mujammi’) said: Then (the booty of)
Khaybar was allotted to the participants of al-Hudaybiyah in eighteen
shares. The army consisted of one thousand five hundred persons out of who
three hundred were horsemen, and every horseman got two shares.


Just six weeks after Muhammad concluded the Treaty of Hudaybiyya, he
attacked and plundered the large Jewish settlement of Khaibar. Let us
emphasize two points relative to the Qur’an and Treaty of Hudaybiyya made
with the Meccans.

1) They were to cease hostilities between themselves. i.e. the Meccans and
the Muslims. Consequently, Qur’anic verse 2:190 says, "Fight for the sake of
God those that fight against you, but do not attack them first. God does not
love the aggressors."
2) The Muslims were allowed to attack those groups that were not aligned
with the Meccans.

Bukhari, op cit, volume 3. book 50, number 891: (Note: this is lengthy
Hadith, only the relevant part is quoted)
……No doubt, the war has weakened Quraish and they have suffered great
losses, so if they wish, I will conclude a truce with them, during which
they should refrain from interfering between me and the people (i.e. the
'Arab infidels other than Quraish), and if I have victory over those
infidels, Quraish will have the option to embrace Islam as the other people
do, if they wish; they will at least get strong enough to fight.


So, we see two classes of people here: 1) the Meccans and their
allies, and 2) the polytheist tribes living nearer Muhammad. The treaty
allowed Muhammad to attack the non-aligned polytheists, without having to
worry about interference from the Meccans. Hence. aggressive Jihad continued
against the polytheists near Muhammad’s lands.

[Note the jumbled chronology. From Baidawi’s commentary (tafsir) we see that
2:193 was revealed just after Muhammad arrived in Medina. This is about 8
years before chapter(Sura) 9 was revealed, and about 6 years before the
verses above, 2:190 – 192 were revealed. 2:216, 217 and 2:193 occurred 6
years before verses 2:190 – 192, yet 2:193 was placed in the Qur’an to
follow 2:190-192.]


As previously quoted, the "Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, op cit, on verse
2:191 states:
As Jihad involves death and the killing of men, Allah draws our
attention to the fact that the disbelief and polytheism of the disbelievers,
and their avoidance of Allah’s path are far worse than killing. Thus Allah
says, "And Fitnah is worse than killing." This is to say that shirk
(Polytheism) is more serious and worse than killing.


In sum, verses 2:190 – 192 are defensive with respect only to the
Meccans and their allies, and for a specific time (10 years). They are
therefore limited in application and duration, and are not comprehensive
towards all groups of people. Consequently, they cannot necessarily be
applied to today’s Islamic theology or events of our time as evidence that
Islam is not aggressive or merely defensive. Additionally, the consensus in
Islam is that the verses are limited and in fact have been abrogated by more
recent verses which have no ‘defensive’ constraints.


PASSAGE 5: SURA 9:1 - 7
9:1 Freedom from (all) obligations (is declared) from Allah and His
Messenger to those of the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters,
disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), with whom you made a treaty.
9:2 So travel freely (O Mushrikun - see V.2:105) for four months (as you
will) throughout the land, but know that you cannot escape (from the
Punishment of) Allah, and Allah will disgrace the disbelievers.
9:3 And a declaration from Allah and His Messenger to mankind on the
greatest day (the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah - the 12th month of Islamic calendar)
that Allah is free from (all) obligations to the Mushrikun (see V.2:105) and
so is His Messenger. So if you (Mushrikun) repent, it is better for you, but
if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape (from the Punishment of)
Allah. And give tidings of a painful torment to those who disbelieve.


9:4 Except those of the Mushrikun with whom you have a treaty, and who have
not subsequently failed you in aught, nor have supported anyone against you.
So fulfil their treaty to them to the end of their term. Surely Allah loves
Al- Mattaqun (the pious - see V.2:2).


9:5 Then when the Sacred Months (the 1st, 7th, 11th, and 12th months of the
Islamic calendar) have passed, then kill the Mushrikun (see V.2:105)
wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for
them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform As-Salat
(Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah
is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.


9:6 And if anyone of the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans,
disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) seeks your protection then grant him
protection, so that he may hear the Word of Allah (the Qur’an), and then
escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who know
not.


9:7 How can there be a covenant with Allah and with His Messenger for the
Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of
Allah) except those with whom you made a covenant near Al-Masjid-al-Haram
(at Makkah)? So long, as they are true to you, stand you true to them.
Verily, Allah loves Al-Mattaqun (the pious - see V.2:2).


Abdullah Yususf Ali’s commentary in his Qur’an, op cit, page 435,
states that verses 9:1 – 29 were revealed during the month of Shawwal, A.H.
9, and read out by Hadhrat Ali loud to the various pilgrims in Mecca two
months later to give Muhammad’s new policy a wide hearing. A. Yusuf Ali then
states that the rest of the sura (30 – 129) were revealed months earlier
than the first 29 verses, and sums up the lessons of the Prophet’s
expedition to attack the Christian town of Tabuk (More on Tabuk later).


Other Islamic writers state that, perhaps the first 40 verses of sura 9
were revealed, preceded by verses 41 to the end of the chapter. There are
more differing opinions regarding the chronology and sections of passages
revealed. However, all scholars extensively reviewed agree that the first 29
verses were some of the last verses spoken by Muhammad.


As previously stated, this passage was one of the very last to be
spoken by Muhammad. The background for this verse is found in "The Life of
Muhammad", op cit, page 617-619. It is a very long passage only partially
cited.
A discharge came down, [Muhammad received a revelation from God],
permitting the breaking of the agreement between the apostle and the
polytheists that none should be kept back from the temple when he came to
it, and that none need fear during the sacred months. That there was a
general agreement between him and the polytheists; meanwhile there were
particular agreements between the apostle and the Arab tribes for specified
terms. And there came down about it and about the disaffected who held back
from him in the raid on Tabuk, [a Christian town Muhammad attacked, and
forced them to pay him], and about what they said (revelations) in which God
uncovered the secret thoughts of people who were dissembling. We know the
names of some of them, of others we do not. He said (This chapter is a
commentary on Sura 9) "A discharge from God and His apostle towards those
polytheists with whom you made a treaty," i.e. those polytheists with whom
you made a general agreement. "So travel through the land for four months
and know that you cannot escape God and that God will put the unbelievers to
shame. And a proclamation from God and His apostle to men on the day of the
greater pilgrimage that God and His apostle are free from obligation to the
polytheists," i.e., after this pilgrimage. So if you repent it will be
better for you; and if you turn back know that you cannot escape God. Inform
those who disbelieve, about a painful punishment except those polytheists
with whom you have made a treaty," i.e. the special treaty for a specified
term, "Since they have not come short in anything in regard to you and have
not helped anyone against you. So fulfil your treaty with them to their
allotted time. God loves the pious. And when the sacred months are passed,
He means the four which he fixed as their time, "then kill the polytheists
wherever you find them, and seize them and besiege them and lie in wait for
them in every ambush. But if they repent and perform prayer and pay the
poor-tax, then let them go their way. God is forgiving, merciful. If one of
the polytheists, i.e. one of those whom I have ordered you to kill, asks
your protection, give it him so that he may hear the word of God; then
convey him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do
not know."
Then He said: "How can there be for the polytheists" with whom you had a
general agreement that they should not put you in fear and that you would
not put them in fear neither in the holy places nor in the holy months "a
treaty with God and His apostle except for those with whom you made a treaty
at the sacred mosque?" …


Continuing a few paragraphs later on page 619:
Then the apostle gave orders to fight the polytheists who had broken
the special agreement as well as those who had a general agreement after the
four months which had been given them as a fixed time, save that if any one
of them showed hostility he should be killed for it….


Continuing a few paragraphs later on page 620:
Then comes the story of their enemy until he arrives at the mention of
Hunayn [a battle site between Muslims and non-Muslims], and what happened
there and their turning back from their enemy and how God sent down help
after they had abandoned one another.
…Then He mentioned Tabuk and how the Muslims were weighed down by it and
exaggerated the difficulty of attacking the Byzantines when the apostle
called them to fight them; …


Prior to this "revelation" of chapter 9, Muhammad had several;
"agreements" with various Arab tribes. Some of these agreements were for a
specified time. Others were general agreements allowing the pagans to visit
the Kaba and perform their religious rituals. Some of these tribes were
peaceful with him, others disliked him and caused him grief. Allah gave
Muhammad a "revelation" allowing him to break all these various agreements,
either immediately, or later. Thereafter he would attack them following the
four sacred months. With notable exceptions, he would keep those treaties
that were for a specified time with tribes that were on friendly terms.
However, once those times were over, the state of aggression would be in
place. Once again, Muhammad had gained power, and things changed. Now
Muhammad was permitted to lie, i.e., break his agreements, and make war upon
the pagans. Muhammad's circumstances changed - Allah changed, Islam changed.



Note the last quoted paragraph, ".....If one of the polytheists” (i.e.
one of those whom I have ordered you to kill), is supposed to be God telling
the Muslims to go out and kill people. Some of these people had gotten along
peacefully with the Muslims. But because they didn't follow Muhammad they
were going to be attacked sooner or later.
Sura 9:5 is the verse in the Qur’an that commands Muslims to attack and kill
pagans:
"When the sacred months are over, slay the idolaters wherever you find them.
Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they
repent and take to prayer and render the alms levy, allow them to go their
way. God is forgiving and merciful."


This passage if often quoted by some as proof that Islam is an
aggressive religion. Some Muslims have responded that this verse was only
directed towards pagan tribes that were at war with the Muslims. However, as
the whole of the context is read, both in the Qur’an, and in the Sira, it is
evident that defensive warfare is immediately allowed, but that offensive
warfare would be taking place following the end of the four sacred months.
[NOTE: The four sacred months are not sequential in the Islamic calendar,
they are spread throughout the year, thus some writers have suggested that
Muhammad gave the pagans about one year until Muhammad’s Islamic aggression
was to commence.]


Now to present a series of quotes From the "Tafsir of Ibn Kathir", op
cit, volume 4.

First in verse 9:5, page 375:
“But if they repent and perform the Salah, and give the Zakah, then leave
their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful"
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq used this and other honorable Ayat (verse or
passage) as proof for fighting those who refrained from paying the Zakah.
These Ayat allowed fighting people unless, and until, they embrace Islam and
implement its ruling and obligations.


But then on verse 9:5, page 376:
So when the sacred months have passed… meaning, "Upon the end of the four
months during which We prohibited you from fighting the idolaters, and which
is the grace period We gave them, then fight and kill the idolaters wherever
you may find them…
Then on verse 9:5, page 377:
This honorable Ayah was called the Ayah of the Sword, about which Ad-Dahhak
bin Muzahim said, "It abrogated every agreement of peace between the Prophet
and any idolater, every treaty, and every term." Al-Awfi said that Ibn Abbas
commented: "No idolater had anymore treaty or promise of safety ever since
Surah Bara’ah was revealed.


This passage is one that is primarily offensive. It does allow for
defence if pagans attack the Muslims during the time of the treaty or sacred
months, beyond that, it calls for offensive aggression against pagans if
they exercise freedom of religion and remain non-Muslim. This is not a
difficult passage to understand. Attack and kill the pagans, if they repent
and become Muslims, leave them alone. Clearly, this passage calls for
compulsion to Islam, claims otherwise are just plain dishonest.


PASSAGE 6: SURA 9:29
9:29 Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allah, (2) nor in the Last
Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger
(4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among
the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah
with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.


Again, first we turn to Ibn Ishaq, op cit, page 620, for the historical
context of this verse.

Then He said (v. 28): "The polytheists are nothing but unclean, so let
them not approach the sacred mosque after this year of theirs, and if you
fear poverty" that was because the people said "the markets will be cut off
from us, trade will be destroyed, and we shall lose the good things we used
to enjoy," and God said, If you fear poverty God will enrich you from His
bounty," i.e. in some other way, "if He will. He is knowing, wise. Fight
those who do not believe in God and the last day and forbid not that which
God and His apostle have forbidden and follow not the religion of truth from
among those who have been given the scripture until they pay the poll tax
out of hand being humbled," i.e. as a compensation for what you fear to lose
by the closing of the markets. God gave them compensation for what He cut
off from them in the former polytheism by what He gave them by way of poll
tax from the people of the scripture….


Again, quotes from Ibn Kathir on verse 9:29, op cit, pages 404 – 409:

The Order was given to fight People of the Scriptures until They give the
Jizyah.
This honorable Ayah was revealed with the order to fight the People of
the Book, after the pagans were defeated, the people entered Allah’s
religion in large numbers, and the Arabian Peninsula was secured under the
Muslims’ control. Allah commanded His Messenger to fight the People of the
Scriptures, Jews and Christians, on the ninth year of Hijrah, and he
prepared his army to fight the Romans and called the people to Jihad
announcing his intent and destination….
Pages 405, 406
Paying Jizyah is a Sign of Kufr (Unbeliever) and Disgrace.
Allah said, until they pay the Jizyah, if they do not choose to
embrace Islam, with willing submission, in defeat and subservience, and feel
themselves subdued, disgraced, humiliated and belittled. Therefore, Muslims
are not allowed to honor the people of Dhimmah or elevate them above
Muslims, for they are miserable, disgraced and humiliated.


To add support and insight from another Tafsir on 9:29. From the
Tafsir of Al-Jalalein. i.e., Al-Jalalein Interpretation of the Koran.
"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, (which is Islam that abolishes all other religions) of
the people of the Book, (meaning the Jews and the Christians ) until they
pay the Jizya (the tax imposed upon them) with willing submission and feel
themselves subdued. (with humiliation and submission to the government of
Islam.) 9:29 ."

A final reference for this verse – this was cited earlier in this
article from the "Reliance of the Traveler."
The Caliph makes war upon the Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians,
provided he has first invited them to enter Islam in faith and practice, and
if they will not, then invited them to enter the social order of Islam by
paying the non-Muslim poll tax Jizya…in accordance with the word of Allah
Most High:

"Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day and who forbid not
what Allah and Hiss messenger have forbidden – who do not practice the
religion of truth, being of those who have been give the Book – until they
pay the poll tax out of hand and are humbled." 9:29
The Caliph fights all other peoples until they become Muslim….


It is obvious: the order to fight and kill Christians and Jews is in
verse 9:29. It is clear that Muhammad ordered his followers to fight those
Christians and Jews to convert them or pay the Jizya, and if they don't
convert or pay, they were to be killed. The message is unmistakably clear:
convert... or pay in a state of humiliated submission, or die.

Here again is the historical background for this is found in "The Life
of Muhammad", op cit, page 620,
...."until they [the Jews and Christians] pay the poll tax out of hand being
humbled", i.e. as a compensation for what you fear to lose by the closing of
the markets. God gave them compensation for what He cut off from them in
their former polytheism by what He gave them by way of poll tax from the
people of Scripture."


Muhammad consistently taught his followers to oppress or kill
non-Muslims. Generally, Jews and Christians were allowed to live as such,
provided they paid tribute (the Jizya tax). In this case, this tax was a
revenue given to the Muslims to make up for revenues they lost from people
who no longer dealt in pagan activities. If the Jews and Christians refused
to pay this extortion tax they would have to convert to Islam or be killed.


Also note that the tax levied upon the Christians and Jews was not to
support the state in general affairs, it was to compensate the Muslims
because they had lost revenue. It appears Muhammad acted not unlike a Mafia
crime boss, making others pay for "protection". Truly, the Christians and
Jews really did need protection from the followers of Muhammad in their day,
and were compelled to pay tribute for their survival.


Read the last paragraph quoted from Ibn Ishaq again and notice
Muhammad’s twisted logic: if the Muslims were going to lose revenue, Allah
would make it up to them by His bounty: the Muslims were to extort the money
from the Jews and Christians! (Ref. to verses 9:28, 29). What does this say
for Allah’s bounty? Did Allah need to take the money from Christians and
Jews to give it to the Muslims? If Allah were really with Muhammad, why
couldn’t the Muslims earn it themselves and generate their own livelihood?
Was the direction truly from the loving and benevolent God of all men, or
was Muhammad simply justifying thievery by applying it to God’s will?


Notice the difference between 9:5 and 9:29 Earlier, non-Jews or
Christians (idolaters or pagans) had to convert to Islam or be killed,
generally they didn't have the option of paying the tax as did the more
prosperous Jews and Christians. Only Later, in Islamic history were some
pagans also given the option of paying Jizya to survive, but that was not
Muhammad’s original order.

PASSAGE 7: SURA 9:30, 31
9:30 And the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah, and the Christians
say: Messiah is the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouths. They
imitate the saying of the disbelievers of old. Allah's Curse be on them, how
they are deluded away from the truth!

9:31 They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be
their lords besides Allah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful
or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allah),
and (they also took as their Lord) Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they
(Jews and Christians) were commanded [in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel
(Gospel)) to worship none but One Ilâh (God - Allah) (none has the right to
be worshipped but He). Praise and glory be to Him, (far above is He) from
having the partners they associate (with Him)."


From the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, op cit, page 408:
Fighting the Jews and Christians is legislated because They are
Idolaters and Disbelievers.
Allah the Exalted encourages the believers to fight the polytheists,
disbelieving Jews and Christians, who uttered this terrible statement and
utter lies against Allah, the Exalted. As for the Jews, they claimed that
Uzayr was the son of God, Allah is free of what they attribute to Him. As
for the misguidance of Christians over Isa (Jesus), it is obvious. That is
why Allah declared both groups to be liars.


Notice in verse 30 how Muhammad said, "May Allah’s curse be on them" –
because Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God.


These verses continue Muhammad’s tirade against Christians and Jews.
Here he provides some of his reasoning for killing Jews and Christians:
i.e., they believe that Jesus is the Son of God, or they believe that Ezra
is the Son of God, thus making them polytheists. (Note, this is an apparent
flaw in the Qur’an as there may have been a minor sect of Jews that greatly
esteemed Ezra, or even believed that he was a son of God, but, Judaism has
never declared Ezra to be the Son of God).


All this goes hand in hand with some of Muhammad’s last words before
he died: "May Allah curse the Christians and the Jews for they build their
churches next to the graves of the prophets."

PASSAGE 8: SURA 9:123
9:123 O you who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are close to
you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those
who are the Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2).

From the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, page 546, 547: The Order for Jihad
against the Disbelievers, the Closest, then the Farthest Areas.
Allah commands the believers to fight the disbelievers, the closest in
area to the Islamic state, then the farthest. This is why the Messenger of
Allah started fighting the idolaters in the Arabian Peninsula. When he was
finished with them and Allah gave him control over Makkah, Al-Madinah,
At-Taif, Yemen, Yamamah, Hajr, Khaybar, Hadramawt, and other Arab provinces,
and the various Arab tribes entered Islam in large crowds, he then started
fighting the People of the Scriptures. He began preparation to fight the
Romans who were the closest in area to the Arabian Peninsula, and As such
had the most right to be called to Islam, especially since they were from
the People of the Scriptures. The Prophet marched until he reached Tabuk and
went back because of the extreme hardship, little rain, and little
suppliers. This battle occurred on the ninth year after his Hijrah.


Kathir’s commentary shows that the early Muslims understood what
Muhammad expected of them. They knew that their religion was one of
violence, compulsion, and conquest. There was no mystery in the minds of
Muhammad’s followers regarding warfare to spread Islam. History shows that
they attacked non-Muslims zealously. There in nothing in the Qur’an that
ever tells them to stop attacking and subjecting non-Muslims, rather the
direction is to continue until all the world is under Islam’s rule.


But what about the "NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION VERSE" so often cited today as
proof Islam is a tolerant and accommodating religious movement?


PASSAGE 9: 2:256
2:256. There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become
distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in
Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never
break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.

This verse is the most often quoted verse used to portray Islam as a
religion of peace. On the surface it sounds good. However, investigation
into how the early Muslim scholars viewed it, and the background and
comments they ascribe to it cast it in a slightly different light.

From the Sunan of Abu Dawud, Book 14, Number 2676: Narrated Abdullah
ibn Abbas:
When the children of a woman (in pre-Islamic days) did not survive, she took
a vow on herself that if her child survives, she would convert it a Jew.
When Banu an-Nadir were expelled (from Arabia), there were some children of
the Ansar (Helpers) among them. They said: We shall not leave our children.
So Allah the Exalted revealed; "Let there be no compulsion in religion.
Truth stands out clear from error."

From the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, op cite, pages 37, 38
Allah says: "There is no compulsion in religion", meaning: do not
force anyone to embrace Islam because it is clear, and its proofs and
evidences are manifest. Whoever Allah guides and opens his heart to Islam
has indeed embraced it with clear evidence. Whoever Allah misguides, blinds
his heart and has set a seal on his hearing and a covering on his eyes
cannot embrace Islam by force.

The reason for the revelation of this verse was that the women of
Ansar used to make a vow to convert their sons to Judaism if the latter
lived. And when the tribe of Bani an-Nadhir was expelled from Madinah, some
children of Ansar were among them, so their parents could not abandon them;
hence Allah revealed: "There is no compulsion in religion…" narrated by Ibn
Jarir, on the authority of Ibn Abbas, Abu Dawud and an-Nasa’I, on the
authority of Bandar, Abu Hatim, and Ibn Hiban from the Hadith of Shu’bah,
Mujahid and others. However Muhammad Ibn Ishaq narrated that Ibn Abbas said:
it was revealed with regard to a man from the tribe of Bani Salim Ibn Awf
called al-Husayni whose two sons converted to Christianity but he was
himself a Muslim. He told the Prophet: "Shall I force them to embrace Islam,
they insist on Christianity", hence Allah revealed this verse. But, this
verse is abrogated by the verse of "Fighting": "You shall be called to fight
against a people given to great warfare, then you shall fight them, or they
shall surrender" (sura 48:16). Allah also says: "O Prophet! Strive hard
against the disbelieves and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them"
(9:73), and He says, "O you who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who
are close to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is
with those who are the Pious, (9:123).


Therefore, all people of the world should be called to Islam. If anyone
of them refuses to do so, or refuses to pay the Jizya they should be fought
till they are killed. This is the meaning of compulsion. In the Sahih
(al-Bukhari), the Prophet said: "Allah wonders at those people who will
enter Paradise in chains", meaning prisoners brought in chains to the
Islamic state, then they embrace Islam sincerely and become righteous, and
are entered among the people of Paradise.


Ibn Kathir presents two different stories as reasons behind 2:256. The
first story has nothing to do with compelling people into Islam. The second
story begins to go against compulsion, but, Ibn Kathir then says that this
verse was abrogated by the verse of "fighting" i.e. 48:16. I add that the
only Sahih Hadith material I’ve been able to find on the matter (Sunan of
Abu Dawud) supports the story of the expulsion of the Banu Nadir Jews. Thus,
either way, compulsion of people to convert to Islam is allowed.


Ibn Kathir does say at the beginning of this quote: Allah says: "There
is no compulsion in religion", meaning: do not force anyone to embrace Islam
because it is clear, and its proofs and evidences are manifest. Whoever
Allah guides and opens his heart to Islam has indeed embraced it with clear
evidence. Whoever Allah misguides, blinds his heart and has set a seal on
his hearing and a covering on his eyes cannot embrace Islam by force. But he
goes on to contradict himself later in the next two paragraphs.

FOR THE RECORD – Who exactly was/is compelled to accept Islam?

Since Muslim spokesman in the West frequently say that Islam forbids
compulsion of conversion to Islam (2:256), we feel it is necessary to
provide here historical references that show otherwise. Based upon the
material, the story of the expulsion of the Banu Nadir Jews is the cause of
the "revelation" of 2:256. Thus, the verse does not have anything to do
whatsoever with forcing people to accept Islam. And, as we read elsewhere in
the Qur’an, Muhammad taught that his followers were to make war upon people
who choose not to convert to Islam.

Here are some historical references behind forced conversion to Islam.
Note that they are taken from Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rasulallah, op cit.

#1) On pages 668 and 669 Abu Bakr instructs a fellow Muslim in Islam. He
states: "You asked me for the best advice that I could give you, and I will
tell you. God sent Muhammad with this religion and he strove for it until
men accepted it voluntary or by force."
#2) On page 547, Muhammad’s arch enemy, Abu Sufyan was given safe passage by
Ibn Abbas to meet with Muhammad. During the meeting, the following
conversation occurs:
"Woe to you, Abu Sufyan, isn’t it time that you recognize that I
[Muhammad] am God’s apostle?" He answered, "As to that I still have some
doubt."
I [Ibn Abbas] said to him, "Submit and testify that there is no God
but Allah and that Muhammad is the apostle of God before you lose your
head," so he did so.
Abu Sufyan did not intend to recognize Muhammad until he was
threatened with his life. This is a clear case of compulsion of accepting
Islam: convert or die.
#3) On pages 614, 615, Muhammad’s attack upon the people of Thaqif (who were
hostile to Muhammad) is detailed. In them it states that they submitted to
the demands of Muhammad, their reasoning for doing so was this:
"We are in an impasse. You have seen how the affair of this man has
progressed. All the Arabs have accepted Islam and you lack the power to
fight them, so look to your case." Thereupon Thaqif took counsel and said
one to another, "Don’t you see that your herds are not safe; none of you can
go out without being cut off." So after conferring together they decided to
send a man to the apostle as they had sent Urwa [to accept Islam so that
they and their possessions would be safe from being plundered and killed by
the Muslims].


These people did not become Muslim because they wanted to. They had
been invited to Islam and they refused. They had even killed the Muslim
envoy! However, because they were outgunned and outnumbered, they decided,
If you can’t beat them, join them. Thus their conversion was a sham, and
made under compulsion.

#4) On page 645 the story of Muhammad’s emissary Khalid to the tribe of the
Banu al-Harith bin Ka’b in the region of Najran is described. Muhammad….
ordered him [Khalid] to invite them to Islam three days before he attacked
them. If they accepted then he was to accept it from them; and if they
declined he was to fight them. So Khalid sent out and came to them, and sent
out riders in all directions inviting the people to Islam, saying, "If you
accept Islam you will be safe," so the men accepted Islam as they were
invited.

People were converting to Islam simply because they were threatened.
Notice Khalid’s words – "If you accept Islam you will be safe." Is this the
type of religion that people truly desire, one that threatens them with
death unless they convert?

Probably few Muslims today understand that that their recent or distant
ancestors entered Islam at sword point. Except for a few who joined for
personal gains, probably most people were forced to accepting Islam solely
for the purpose of survival for themselves and their children. Probably,
all of those so forced hoped and longed for the opportunity to escape the
grip of Islam, but the grip of Islam on families, neighborhoods, and nations
is very tight indeed. Dreams of freedom became sad resignation, and after a
generation or two none remember or recite the old hopes and dreams. It is
interesting to note that Islam today is made up from what essentially is a
conscripted army. Islamic efforts to make that army tow the official line
and become more responsive and obedient warriors (terrorists) continue to
this day. Calls to arms and Jihad seem constantly issued from various
sources, and there seems to be a new crop of recently indoctrinated
energetic young people ready to answer the call to prove their devotion, and
to make their teachers and family proud. Those who respond are also
enthralled by the promise of glory, luxuries, and virgins in the next life.
Properly incited, they depart on their dangerous journeys knowing nothing
about the root causes and circumstances of their ancestral parents forced
conversion. Their father’s, father’s father and an entire previous lineage
cry from the dust lamenting the choices of their prodigy, but are unable to
speak to the hearts so filled with hatred and blood-lust. It is a huge
tragedy and travesty spanning generations with little hope of redemption.




REFERENCES:

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This essay continues in Part 7/15

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