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Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Forced Conversion: Difference between revisions
Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Forced Conversion (view source)
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The topic of forced conversion is a complicated one within the Islamic tradition. According to the Qur'an, there is "no compulsion in religion" and the traditional laws of jihad state that before attacking a Christian or Jewish enemy they must be offered the choice of submitting to Islamic political rule, paying the jizyah and entering dhimmitude. At the same time, however, the Islamic tradition records that Muhammad gave the pagans of Mecca and later all of Arabia only two choices: conversion to Islam or the sword. As such, people not considered "people of the book", id est Jews or Christians, are on this example to be given the choice of conversion to Islam or death. In many cases, such as when Muslims found themselves ruling over a polytheist population in India, the forced conversion of so many people has been seen to be impossible, and in its place these people have been offered dhimmitude. These practical exceptions did not, however, change the opinion of the fuquhaa' that all non-believers who are not Jews or Christians ought to be given the choice of Islam or death, forced conversion in effect. | The topic of forced conversion is a complicated one within the Islamic tradition. According to the Qur'an, there is "[[Let_There_be_no_Compulsion_in_Religion|no compulsion in religion]]", and the traditional laws of jihad state that before attacking a Christian or Jewish enemy they must be offered the choice of submitting to Islamic political rule, paying the jizyah and entering dhimmitude. At the same time, however, the Islamic tradition records that Muhammad gave the pagans of Mecca and later all of Arabia only two choices: conversion to Islam or the sword. As such, people not considered "people of the book", id est Jews or Christians, are on this example to be given the choice of conversion to Islam or death. In many cases, such as when Muslims found themselves ruling over a polytheist population in India, the forced conversion of so many people has been seen to be impossible, and in its place these people have been offered dhimmitude. These practical exceptions did not, however, change the opinion of the fuquhaa' that all non-believers who are not Jews or Christians ought to be given the choice of Islam or death, forced conversion in effect. Other opinions have appeared especially in modern times. The prominent jurist Yusuf al-Qaradawi (d. 2022) stated in his book, fiqh al-Jihad, that the United Nations is a treaty that renders the world an abode of peace (with the exception of Israel), and peace as the basic norm is established. | ||
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===Qur'an=== | ===Qur'an=== | ||
{{Quote|1={{Quran|9|5}} | The following verse in context is about the ''mushrikeen'', specifically those who have broken a treaty with the believers ({{Quran-range|9|1|16}}). Many classical scholars interpreted it as a general command for expansive warfare, abrogating earlier verses. This view is contested by Islamic Modernist scholars (see [[Jihad in Islamic Law]]). | ||
{{Quote|1={{Quran|9|5}}|2=And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the ''polytheists'' (ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ) wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.}} | |||
The word ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ (''al-mushrikeen'') was also translated as " | The word ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ (''al-mushrikeen'') was also translated as "pagans" (by Yusuf Ali) or "idolaters" (by Pickthall) or "associators" (by Daryabadi) <ref>https://quranx.com/9.5</ref>. Literally, al-mushrikeen are people who commit "shirk", that is "associating partners with Allah". Some scholars argue that Christians and Jews are also mushrikeen in this surah because "the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. " and "They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and [also] the Messiah [...] Exalted is He above whatever they associate [shirk] with Him." ({{Quran-range|9|30|31}})<ref>https://islamqa.info/en/67626</ref>, but this is controversial. The words "mushrikeen" and "kaafireen" (infidels) are used interchangeably in this sura.<ref>Verse 9:1 says "mushrikeen" (الْمُشْرِكِينَ); verse 9:2 calls them "kaafireen" (الْكَافِرِينَ). It's the last word of both verses. https://quran.com/9/ | ||
</ref> There was also disagreement on whether Q. 9:5 could be applied to non-Arabs who were not People of the Book. | |||
</ref> | |||
===Hadith=== | ===Hadith=== | ||
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===Qur'an=== | ===Qur'an=== | ||
{{Quote|1={{Quran|9|29}}|2=''Fight'' (قَٰتِلُوا۟) those who believe | {{Quote|1={{Quran|9|29}}|2=''Fight'' (قَٰتِلُوا۟) those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.}} | ||
The word قَٰتِلُوا۟ (''qaatiloo''), translated as "fight", is derived from the root ق-ت-ل (q-t-l). The basic [[The Meaning of Qatal|meaning of this root]] is "to kill" <ref>https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D9%82_%D8%AA_%D9%84</ref>. Nouns like "murder" (قتل) and "murderer" (قاتل) are also derived from this root. The word qaatiloo is an imperative verb <ref>http://corpus.quran.com/wordmorphology.jsp?location=(9:29:1)</ref>, which commands to murder people [until they are giving money to the Muslims]. | The word قَٰتِلُوا۟ (''qaatiloo''), translated as "fight", is derived from the root ق-ت-ل (q-t-l). The basic [[The Meaning of Qatal|meaning of this root]] is "fight to kill" <ref>https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D9%82_%D8%AA_%D9%84</ref>. Nouns like "murder" (قتل) and "murderer" (قاتل) are also derived from this root. The word qaatiloo is an imperative verb <ref>http://corpus.quran.com/wordmorphology.jsp?location=(9:29:1)</ref>, which commands to murder people [until they are giving money to the Muslims]. | ||
===Hadith=== | ===Hadith=== | ||
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{{main|Let There be no Compulsion in Religion}} | {{main|Let There be no Compulsion in Religion}} | ||
Note that according to some scholars in the classical period, this verse was [[List of Abrogations in the Qur'an|abrogated]] by {{Quran|9|5}} | Note that according to some scholars in the classical period, this verse was [[List of Abrogations in the Qur'an|abrogated]] by {{Quran|9|5}}. See the main article for the history of interpretation of this verse. Exegetes disagreed as to how it should be reconciled with Q. 9:29. | ||
===Qur'an=== | ===Qur'an=== | ||