Muslims are often accused of spreading Islam by sword, a myth that has been denied countless times by historians. The Muslims had the first interactions with Romans after some muslim missionaries were killed at the border town of Arabia under the influence of Romans. The Indian invasion was a result of a group of muslim families who were looted and kidnapped by the pirates under the protection of the Raja of Sindh. The invasion of Spain occured as a result of a rescue mission when the daughter of a high official of Spanish govrenment was raped by the king and they appealed to muslim to help them get the justice. There were no forces sent to Indonesia(the largest muslims populated country) and Malaysia yet the number of non-violent conversion speaks for itself. Muslims ruled in India for over 1000 years yet the number of muslims in the sub-continent is still less than 50% of Hindus. The Spain was ruled by muslim for several hundred years and yet there is a very small minority of muslims at present. If Islam had spread by sword, half of world would have already turned muslim. Even there are large number of Christian Arabs even today living in through out the middle east. How come they still follow Christanity after living under muslims for 1400 years?
Any killing done to spread anarchy and chaos is evil and wrong. Quran presents the same idea in the following verse:
if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. (Chapter 5 Al-Maeda:32)
So if a person, whether believer or not, kills an innocent person, he is clearly the aggressor and criminal should be punished and dealt with accordingly.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Fighting With The Pagans Of Makkah
The following verses were revealed regarding the Battle of Badr in which Muslims who were with very limited resources and 1/3 in number were facing the Pagans of Makkah for the first time who were loaded with horses, camels, swords and other war equipments. The Muslims despite of being much lessor in number had strong faith and determination and hence Allah(SWT) commanded the angels to help the believers in fighting the first battle of Islam and hence give them the edge so that their faith will grow more stronger and give them the complete confidence in Allah(SWT) so that they will be able to spread the divine message more effectively and sincerely.
038: Say to the Unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be forgiven them; but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them).
039: And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.
040: If they refuse, be sure that Allah is your Protector - the best to protect and the best to help.(Chapter 8 Al-Anfal:38-40)
These above verses of Surah Anfal are again pointing to the fact that Islam's main objective is to eradicate fitnah or oppression and people who spread the oppression and mischief on this earth will come in direct path of Islam and will be fought against until the oppression is no more since oppression is a greater evil than killing. Islam fights with those aggresors until they fight with Islam and will enter in peace as soon as they stop violating the sanctity of human life and honor and promise to co-exist with others in peace.
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.
(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.
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.
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. (Al-Tawba: 3-6)
The above verses of Surah Tauba Chapter 9 were revealed after the pagans of Makkah violated the peace treaty of Hudaibiya with muslims by killing a group of muslims and hence sending an open invitation of war to muslims. After the pagans initiated the aggression against muslims, they were given about 4 months of time to reconsider their options since muslims were not allowed to wage a war during those holy months. The options given to the pagan of Makkah were following.
1. Whether to make preparation of war with muslims.
2. Whether to relocate away from Makkah.
3. Whether to accept Islam and become brother to all muslims and come under the shelter of Islam.
These options were justly given to them as a consequence of their own violation of peace treaty and it wasn't that they were forced to change their religion rather they declared the war against Islam themselves and hence muslims accepted that challenge. The main purpose of Islam is to spread righteousness and goodness on the earth and hence even in the time of war, enemies of Islam are given options to surrender to Islam and save themselves from the torment of hell fire. However the said war never took place and muslims took over Makkah without any resistance or bloodshed and Prophet(peace be upon him) forgave all his arch enemies after the conquest. Many of the pagans accepted Islam (which is simply the verbal declaration of God being one and Muhammad being his final messenger) and others took the option to leave.
038: Say to the Unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be forgiven them; but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them).
039: And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.
040: If they refuse, be sure that Allah is your Protector - the best to protect and the best to help.(Chapter 8 Al-Anfal:38-40)
These above verses of Surah Anfal are again pointing to the fact that Islam's main objective is to eradicate fitnah or oppression and people who spread the oppression and mischief on this earth will come in direct path of Islam and will be fought against until the oppression is no more since oppression is a greater evil than killing. Islam fights with those aggresors until they fight with Islam and will enter in peace as soon as they stop violating the sanctity of human life and honor and promise to co-exist with others in peace.
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.
(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.
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.
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. (Al-Tawba: 3-6)
The above verses of Surah Tauba Chapter 9 were revealed after the pagans of Makkah violated the peace treaty of Hudaibiya with muslims by killing a group of muslims and hence sending an open invitation of war to muslims. After the pagans initiated the aggression against muslims, they were given about 4 months of time to reconsider their options since muslims were not allowed to wage a war during those holy months. The options given to the pagan of Makkah were following.
1. Whether to make preparation of war with muslims.
2. Whether to relocate away from Makkah.
3. Whether to accept Islam and become brother to all muslims and come under the shelter of Islam.
These options were justly given to them as a consequence of their own violation of peace treaty and it wasn't that they were forced to change their religion rather they declared the war against Islam themselves and hence muslims accepted that challenge. The main purpose of Islam is to spread righteousness and goodness on the earth and hence even in the time of war, enemies of Islam are given options to surrender to Islam and save themselves from the torment of hell fire. However the said war never took place and muslims took over Makkah without any resistance or bloodshed and Prophet(peace be upon him) forgave all his arch enemies after the conquest. Many of the pagans accepted Islam (which is simply the verbal declaration of God being one and Muhammad being his final messenger) and others took the option to leave.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Fighting in Islam
In Islam, freedom fight or fighting against aggression have similar set of rules for muslims i.e. fight only against the aggressors not innocents and weaks. In the early part of Islamic history, muslims tried their best to achieve their cause based on share morale but there came the time when they were compelled to reply back or else place the existence of their religion in jeopardy. Since Islam is meant to be propagated within the bounds of this material world, muslims had to confront the evil face to face whenever they were left with no other choice. Hence fighting whenever was required to defend Islam and or eradicate aggression was made made obligatory on muslims in such a way that they won't oppress anyone and fight only the aggressors as long as they continue their mischief and leave them alone and come to peace with them. Since the act of fight results in putting one's life at stake, it is therefore considered by many a tough job and hence Allah(SWT) has promissed believers to fight for justice in His name and He will reward their efforts with His great blessing as a result. Similar idea is given in the following verses:
Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. (Chapter 2 Al-baqra:190)
Trangressing from the limits of Allah is forbidden for muslims. In the time of war, the limits according to Islam are as follows:
1. Not to hurt women and Children
2. Not to hurt old and sick
3. Not to kill farmers and people who work in fields.
4. Fight only those(combatants) who fight with muslims
5. Stop warfare if the enemy resorts to a peaceful settlement.
Quran emphasizes the importance of a human life with the following verse:
.. if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any onesaved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. (Al-Maeda:32)
Muslims were commanded to fight the oppression and make constant effort towards establishing a just society:
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. (Chapter 2 Al-Baqra:193)
Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. (Chapter 2 Al-baqra:190)
Trangressing from the limits of Allah is forbidden for muslims. In the time of war, the limits according to Islam are as follows:
1. Not to hurt women and Children
2. Not to hurt old and sick
3. Not to kill farmers and people who work in fields.
4. Fight only those(combatants) who fight with muslims
5. Stop warfare if the enemy resorts to a peaceful settlement.
Quran emphasizes the importance of a human life with the following verse:
.. if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any onesaved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. (Al-Maeda:32)
Muslims were commanded to fight the oppression and make constant effort towards establishing a just society:
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. (Chapter 2 Al-Baqra:193)
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