Sunday 13 April 2008

Misunderstandings About Surah Tauba i:e Repentance (Surah No.9)

By Tanwir Phool

There are misunderstandings about surah Tauba i:e Repentance(surah No.9) of the last book of GOD ALMIGHTY.Those who are against it, quote its verse No.5,the translation of which is as under:

"But when the forbidden months are passed,then fight and slay the Polytheists wherever you find them,and seize them,beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem(of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and pay zakat ,then open the way for them: for GOD ALMIGHTY is Oft-Forgiving,Most Merciful."

They claim that this verse is against all the non-muslims ,directing to kill them.This is a negative propaganda deliberately or unknowingly,as the verse No.4( before this verse) and the verse No.6(after this verse) are not being taken into account.The directives of these 3 verses are as under:

"(But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Polytheists with whom you have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided anyone against you. So fulfill your engagements with them; for GOD ALMIGHTY Loves the righteous."

After the conquest of Makkah(the city of Mecca),thousands of people became Muslim for one reason or another but a small group consisting of the Polytheists and the Hypocrites was still against the Prophet and his followers.They were the Terrorists ,the hidden enemies seeking the opportunity to ruin and destroy the innocent people. The verse in question i:e verse No.5 is against the said Terrorists and not for all non-muslims as it is clearly mentioned in the next verse i:e verse No.6 of surah Tauba(Repentance):

"If one among the Polytheists asks you for asylum,grant it to him,so that he may hear the Word of GOD ALMIGHTY,and then escort him to where he can be secure,that is because they are men without knowledge."

This verse tells that after hearing the Words of GOD even if he does not become a Muslim and wants to go a safe place,escort him according to his desire.

There are 2 major groups of non-muslims: Those who have been blessed with books i:e Jews & Christians,and those who adore idols,sun,moon,stars,tree,fire and animals such as cow,elephant,monkey,snake,rat etc. and called Mushrikeen i:e Polytheists as they don't believe in Unity or Oneness of GOD.

The last book of GOD ALMIGHTY allows Muslims to marry a Jew or Christian woman in the same capacity as with a Muslim woman(verse No.5 of surah 5 Al-Maaida(The Table Spread). Those who say that the last book orders to kill the Jews and Christians wherever they are found,should think that when Muslims are allowed to marry Jew/Christian women how can they kill their wives and in-laws? Marriage of Muslims with the Polytheists(Mushrikeen) has been prohibited in verse No.221 of surah No.2, Al-Baqarah(The Cow) but still it is not ordered to kill the Polytheists as there is no compulsion in religion(verse 256 of surah No.2).Muslims are directed not to abuse idols or other things which are adored by them instead of GOD, as they can abuse GOD in re-action(verse No.108 of surah No.6 ,Al-An'aam i:e Cattle) Islam is not what a so-called muslim is doing but what the last book of GOD ALMIGHTY says and what the Holy Prophet actually did/said.Similarly so-called Jews and so-called Christians are not following the true teachings of Moses(p.b.u.h.) and Christ(p.b.u.h.) who were true muslims(obedient of GOD ALMIGHTY)

Please see these verses of Qur'aan also ( Al-Mumtahanah , 60 : 8-9 )

" God forbids you not , with regard to those who do not fight you because
of your faith nor drive you out of your homes , from dealing kindly and justly
with them. God loves those who are just. God only forbids you with regard to
those who fight you for your faith , and drive you  from your homes , and
support others in driving you out , from turning to them (for friendship and
protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances ) that do wrong."

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Excellent article for removing misunderstandings.One should peruse
the last book of God Almighty as a
whole,not in pieces.This article is much beneficial for the unity of humanity.Every-one should peruse
it with open heart.

Unknown said...

I fully agree with the author and Mary.The Holy Qur'aan is the greatest blessing of God Almighty for entire humanity.

Unknown said...

I think that Islam is not a religion of war and violence.The verses about Jihad don't convey the general command of Islam.These verses about Jihad(Qital)relate in a restrictive sense to those who have attacked the Muslims.These are related to a particular situation.Similarly Jesus Christ said "Don't think that I came to bring peace on earth.I did not come to bring peace but a sword."(Matthew , 10:34)