"Allah doth love the righteous"

As mentioned in my previous post, the verse Quran 9: 5 “then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush “ is MISQOUTED by the TERRORISTS and pulled out of context to instigate the UNISLAMIC killing of innocent civilians all over the world. To understand the verse, you must understand the context and the complete message of Allah’s command, by reading from 9:1 – 7.

Verse 1 -- (This is a declaration of) immunity by Allah and His Messenger towards those of the idolaters with whom you made an agreement.

Verse 2 -- So go about in the land for four months and know that you cannot weaken Allah and that Allah will bring disgrace to the unbelievers.

Verse 3 -- And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah and His Messenger are free from liability to the idolaters; therefore if you repent, it will be better for you, and if you turn back, then know that you will not weaken Allah; and announce painful punishment to those who disbelieve

Verse 4 -- Except those of the idolaters with whom you made an agreement, then they have not failed you in anything and have not backed up any one against you, so fulfill their agreement to the end of their term; surely Allah loves those who are careful (of their duty).

Verse 5 -- So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Verse 6 -- And if one of the idolaters seek protection from you, grant him protection till he hears the word of Allah, then make him attain his place of safety; this is because they are a people who do not know.

Verse 7 -- How can there be a league, before Allah and His Messenger, with the Pagans, except those with whom ye made a treaty near the sacred Mosque? As long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them: for Allah doth love the righteous.

(Quran 9: 1-7)

The context of the above passage is regarding the violation of agreements between the Muslims and their enemies. Of course, Al Qaeda, Taliban and other terrorists groups only quote the first half of 9:5 to justify the ‘Holy War’ or jihad against the enemies of Islam. They brainwash the youth to believe that Allah has given permission to mercilessly slay the unbelievers and it is their sacred duty to slaughter in the name of Islam. Non Muslims also see this as proof that Islam commands Muslims to slaughter the unbelievers and expect great rewards from Allah, whom they see as a merciless and blood thirsty deity.

IF slaying and killing unbelievers were sacred and holy, then why would Allah forbid it during the four ‘sacred months’? Shouldn’t Allah encourage more murder and mayhem during the sacred months to get more rewards? Allah forbids it because Allah is Merciful, and commands Muslims to allow their enemies to repent and leave them free. Further proof of Allah’s Mercy can be seen in 9:6, where if idolaters seek protection, Muslims are commanded to grant protection and further ensure the idolaters attain safety.

Although, the first half of 9:5 does state ‘slay the idolaters’ , there are clear instructions not to harm the idolaters who have honored their agreement in 9:4 and also in 9:7. As long as the unbelievers maintain peaceful relations with Muslims and don’t violate agreements, Allah commands Muslims to maintain peace as well.

This is no different from the natural moral laws that govern humanity. Agreements of peace with enemies are to be honored unless the enemies violate the peace. Furthermore, even enemies that seek protection, as in refugees in war torn countries, are to be escorted till safety, not massacred, as in Rwanda or Srebrenica or countless other human tragedies.

I will be addressing the verse 4:89 “But 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;- ”, which has a similar message containing clearer instructions towards establishing peace with unbelievers who haven’t wronged the Muslims.