This blog post by TheHoopoe has benefited me, and I have decided that I should expand on it using traditional Islamic sources so as to learn more about these verses myself. In doing so I hope that it benefits others, especially Non-Muslims.
The very first verse to be revealed in connection to “war” was revealed some time after the Muslims migrated with the Prophet (peace be upon him) to Madinah due to religious persecution in Makkah
“To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, God is most powerful for their aid;-”
Quran 22:39
“Asbab Al Nuzul” (Contexts and occasions of the Revelation of the Quran) by Al-Wahidi is a famous traditional Islamic book, and it mentions the following as the occasion for this revelation:
“The commentators of the Qur’an said: “The idolaters from among the people of Mecca were in the habit of harming the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace. These Companions used to come always either beaten or with their skulls bashed in. They complained to the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, about this situation and he persistently told them: ‘Be steadfast, for I have not been commanded to fight’. This continued until the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, migrated, upon which Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse”
The next verse in Quran (22:40) declares the following:
(They are) the ones who were expelled from their homes without any just reason, except that they say “Our Lord is Allah.”
Had Allah not been repelling some people by means of some others, the monasteries, the churches, the synagogues and the mosques where Allah’s name is abundantly recited would have been demolished. Allah will definitely help those who help Him (by defending the religion prescribed by Him.) Surely Allah is Powerful, Mighty.
Here the Quran stresses the following:
Reiterates the earlier verse, stressing that Muslims are to fight back when they are persecuted for practicing their religion freely.
If God did not help those who stood up to oppressors then monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques where God is praised – would have been destroyed by the oppressors.
Muslims must respect and protect holy places belonging to people of other faiths (especially the People of the Book, Jews and Chrisitans).
Truly, what the Quran speaks of is nothing like that which the people of hate speak of, for the Quran is a mirror unto them and in it they see only the darkness of their hearts. May Allah make us among the people of Love who are guided to Allah, by Allah. Amen.
- Allah Knows Best
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment