If Anyone Slays a Person (Qur'an 5:32): Difference between revisions

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===Qur'an 5:32===
===Qur'an 5:32===


What is actually presented by apologists is a distorted, out-of-context and wholly misleading paraphrasing of the following verse:
What is actually presented by apologists is a distorted, out-of-context and misleading paraphrasing of the following verse:


{{Quote|{{Quran|5|32}}|On that account: '''We ordained for the Children of Israel''' that if anyone slew a person - '''unless it be in retaliation for murder or for spreading mischief in the land''' - it would be as if he slew all mankind: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all humanity. }}
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|32}}|On that account: '''We ordained for the Children of Israel''' that if anyone slew a person - '''unless it be in retaliation for murder or for spreading mischief in the land''' - it would be as if he slew all mankind: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all humanity. }}
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===Its Context===
===Its Context===


Firstly, this verse is written in past tense (''Ordained'', not ''Ordain'') and clearly does not apply to Muslims but to "the Children of Israel" i.e. the Jews who, according to Islam, recieved an [[Taurat|earlier set]] of scriptures. In fact, it's [[Parallelism:_Sanhedrin_37a|mistakingly]] referencing a rabbinical commentary found in the Talmud as if it were the words of God.
This verse is written in past tense (''Ordained'', not ''Ordain'') and clearly does not apply to Muslims but to "the Children of Israel" i.e. the Jews who, according to Islam, received an [[Taurat|earlier set]] of scriptures. In fact, it is [[Parallelism:_Sanhedrin_37a|mistakingly]] referencing a rabbinical commentary found in the Talmud as if it were the words of Allah.


Secondly, when the clause which allows killing is reinserted and we read it in context with the following two verses directed at Muslims (notice the reference to Allah's messenger and the switch to present tense), what first appeared on the surface to be a peaceful message, is in actual fact a warning to non-believers:
Also when the clause which allows killing is reinserted and the passage is read in context with the following two verses directed at Muslims (notice the reference to Allah's messenger and the switch to present tense), what first appeared on the surface to be a peaceful message, is in actual fact a warning to non-believers:


{{Quote|{{Quran|5|33-34}}|The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;  Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case, know that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|33-34}}|The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;  Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case, know that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.}}
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===Its Application to Muslims===
===Its Application to Muslims===


According to the highly respected [[Tafsir|Qur'anic exegesis]] of Ibn Kathir- early Qur'anic commentator and [[Tabi'un]], Sayid ibn Jubayr (who lived at the time of [[Muhammad]], and was a companion of [[Aisha]]), had said:
According to the highly respected [[Tafsir|Qur'anic exegesis]] of Ibn Kathir- early Qur'anic commentator and [[Tabi'un]], Sayid ibn Jubayr (who lived at the time of Prophet [[Muhammad]], and was a companion of [[Aisha]]), had said:


{{Quote|1=[http://www.theholybook.org/content/view/6966/2/ Human Beings Should Respect the Sanctity of Other Human Beings]<BR>Tafsir Ibn Kathir|2=<font size="4">[فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً]</font><BR><BR>
{{Quote|1=[http://www.theholybook.org/content/view/6966/2/ Human Beings Should Respect the Sanctity of Other Human Beings]<BR>Tafsir Ibn Kathir|2=<font size="4">[فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً]</font><BR><BR>
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===The Worth of a Non-Believer===
===The Worth of a Non-Believer===


We now know that verse 5:32 is not condemning the killing of a non-Muslim, and that a Muslim must not murder another Muslim, but what of the non-believers? What is the worth of their lives? According to sahih hadith, Muhammad said the life of a non-Muslim is not sacred:
So far, it has been ascertained that verse 5:32 is not condemning the killing of a non-Muslim, and that a Muslim must not murder another Muslim, but what of the non-believers? What is the worth of their lives? According to sahih hadith, Muhammad said the life of a non-Muslim is not sacred:


{{Quote|{{Bukhari|1|8|387}}, See Also: {{Bukhari|1|2|24}}|
{{Quote|{{Bukhari|1|8|387}}, See Also: {{Bukhari|1|2|24}}|
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