@lacsar: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I must point out though that a lot of those are mistranslations of the Quran, and taken out of context. If you would allow me, I'd be glad to clarify them for readers.
Quran 2:191This verse came down regarding the
idol-worshipers of Mecca who expelled Muslims from their homes, then initiated battles against them. When you read the previous and next verses, you will have full view of its meaning.
[Quran 2:190-192]
"And fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not commit aggression; God does not love the aggressors. And kill them wherever you overtake them, and expel them from where they had expelled you. Oppression is more serious than murder. But do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque, unless they fight you there. If they fight you, then kill them. Such is the retribution of the disbelievers. But if they cease, then God is Forgiving and Merciful."
Quran 3:21The website you have taken this verse from gave a wrong reference to the verse. Plus, its translation is not accurate. The verse you are referring to is [Quran 3:28] and it's translated as follows:
"Believers are not to take disbelievers for alliance instead of believers. Whoever does that has nothing to do with God, unless it is to protect your own selves against them. God warns you to beware of Him. To God is the destiny."
This verse has a
political context, and it does not refer to you and me, but to leaders. The prohibition of Muslims not being allowed to be alliance with non-Muslims is only in war, making alliances with the enemy over the Muslims. That is what the passage is speaking about. There is no prohibition against Muslims having cordial friendly, everyday relations with non-Muslims. Moreover, ‘to protect’ themselves is only allowed is when the enemy is capable of hurting the Muslims.
Quran 5:33The context of this verse itself will clear any negative perceptions against Islam. One cannot quote verse 5:33 without quoting verse 5:32 (prohibition of murder) and verse 5:34 (command to forgive). Let us examine the verse in its proper context:
"Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel: that whoever kills a person—unless it is for murder or corruption on earth—it is as if he killed the whole of mankind; and whoever saves it, it is as if he saved the whole of mankind. Our messengers came to them with clarifications, but even after that, many of them continue to commit excesses in the land. The punishment for those who fight God and His Messenger, and strive to spread corruption on earth, is that they be killed, or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides, or be banished from the land. That is to disgrace them in this life; and in the Hereafter they will have a terrible punishment. Except for those who repent before you apprehend them. So know that God is Forgiving and Merciful."
There are several points to note here. The first is the gravity of the offense. This is punishment for
waging war against the Prophet of God and
spreading evil and destruction. In modern terminology this would be considered “terrorism”. This is a punishment for such a severe offense, hence the severity of the punishment.
The verse comes directly after a verse prohibiting murder and likening the unjust murder of a single individual to the slaughter of humanity. The Quran purposefully describes the gravity of the sin before describing the punishment. The crime of murder and committing terrorist activities is regarded as such a severe violation in Islam, that a severe retribution has been prescribed. Waging war against God’s prophet is tantamount to waging war against Our Creator Himself.
Quran 8:12This verse and the verses before and after were revealed about
the Battle of Badr, which occurred in Arabia in the early seventh century. A battle in which the pagans of Mecca traveled more than 200 miles to Madinah with an army of about 1000 to destroy Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and fellow Muslims had suffered severe persecutions and torture for 13 years in the city of Mecca. And now that they had fled Mecca and found a sanctuary in the city of Madinah, they were once again threatened. Muslim Army was only about 300 strong. God Almighty gave the order to Muslims to fight to defend their lives and faith. The enemy came to them with the intent to kill Muslims. It was a war to defend themselves and their Faith. It was a war imposed upon Muslims.
And when you fight, you strive to kill the enemy during the fight. However, even during the war, Islam has the highest moral law of war. You don't kill children, women or any one who is not fighting with you.
In this verse, God encourages the Muslims to fight and promised to put fear in the enemy's hearts, so Muslims wouldn't be intimidated by the number of their enemy.
[Quran 8:10-13]
"God only made it a message of hope, and to set your hearts at rest. Victory comes only from God. God is Mighty and Wise. He made drowsiness overcome you, as a security from Him. And He sent down upon you water from the sky, to cleanse you with it, and to rid you of Satan’s pollution, and to fortify your hearts, and to strengthen your foothold. Your Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you, so support those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike above the necks, and strike off every fingertip of theirs.” That is because they opposed God and His Messenger. Whoever opposes God and His Messenger—God is severe in retribution."
And God knows best.
... to be continued.
