Misrepresentations of Islamic Scripture: Difference between revisions

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Misrepresentations of Islamic Scripture (view source)

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==Quran==
==Quran==


===Killing a person is like killing all of mankind (5:32)===
===(5:32) Killing a soul is like killing all of mankind===
{{main|If Anyone Slew a Person|l1=If Anyone Slew a Person (Qur'an 5:32)}}
{{main|If Anyone Slew a Person|l1=If Anyone Slew a Person (Qur'an 5:32)}}


{{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}}|From time that, '''We ordained on (the) Children (of) Israel''' that he who kills a soul other than (for) a soul or (for) spreading corruption in the earth then (it) is as if he has killed mankind, all, and whoever saves it then (it) is as if he has saved mankind. all. And surely came to them Our Messengers with clear Signs yet, indeed, many of them after that in the earth (are) surely those who commit excesses.
}}


{{Quran|5|32}} is often cited as evidence of Islam's strict prohibition on murder and encouragement of saving lives. While murder is certainly prohibited in Islam (albeit unequally punished if the victim was a non-Muslim and even totally unpunished if the victim was an apostate, blasphemer, adulterer, or murderer themselves) and saving lives is encouraged (with the lives of believers being, again, favored), the above verse is at most only of indirect relevance. Written in past tense, it does not regard Islamic law but instead "the Children of Israel", or the Jews, who are held in Islam to have received an earlier set of scriptures. When read in context with the next two verses, it is in actual fact a chilling warning to non-believers.
{{Quran|5|32}} is often cited as evidence of Islam's strict prohibition on murder and encouragement of saving lives. While murder is certainly prohibited in Islam (albeit unequally punished if the victim was a non-Muslim and even totally unpunished if the victim was an apostate, blasphemer, adulterer, or murderer themselves) and saving lives is encouraged (with the lives of believers being, again, favored), the above verse is at most only of indirect relevance. Written in past tense, it does not regard Islamic law but instead "the Children of Israel", or the Jews, who are held in Islam to have received an earlier set of scriptures. Read in the context of the following two verses, however, the verse emerges as a warning for non-believers, who are supposedly to be unprotected by this historical prohibition and advocation.


{{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.}}


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


{{Quote|1=[http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=786&Itemid=60 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.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=786&Itemid=60 Human Beings Should Respect the Sanctity of Other Human Beings]<BR>Tafsir Ibn Kathir|2=<font size="4">[فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً]</font>  
.....Sa`id bin Jubayr said, "He who allows himself to shed the blood of a '''Muslim''', is like he who allows shedding the blood of all people. He who forbids shedding the blood of one '''Muslim''', is like he who forbids shedding the blood of all people." In addition, Ibn Jurayj said that Al-A`raj said that Mujahid commented on the Ayah,}}
...Sa`id bin Jubayr said, "He who allows himself to shed the blood of a '''Muslim''', is like he who allows shedding the blood of all people. He who forbids shedding the blood of one '''Muslim''', is like he who forbids shedding the blood of all people." In addition, Ibn Jurayj said that Al-A`raj said that Mujahid commented on the Ayah,}}


That verse also says it is okay to kill someone who does "[[mischief]]". In the Tafsir ibn Kathir, Qatada, one of Muhammad's companions, explained the definition of "Mischief" according to Islam.
The verse also says it is okay to kill someone who does "[[mischief]]". In the Tafsir ibn Kathir, Qatada, one of Muhammad's companions, explained the definition of "Mischief" according to Islam.


{{Quote|1=[http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=436 Meaning of Mischief]<BR>Tafsir Ibn Kathir|2=(And when it is said to them: "Do not make mischief on the earth,"), means, "Do not commit acts of disobedience on the earth. '''Their mischief is disobeying Allah''', because whoever disobeys Allah on the earth, or commands that Allah be disobeyed, he has committed mischief on the earth.}}
{{Quote|1=[http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=436 Meaning of Mischief]<BR>Tafsir Ibn Kathir|2=(And when it is said to them: "Do not make mischief on the earth,"), means, "Do not commit acts of disobedience on the earth. '''Their mischief is disobeying Allah''', because whoever disobeys Allah on the earth, or commands that Allah be disobeyed, he has committed mischief on the earth.}}


====Conclusion====
Rather then being an unqualified condemnation of murder, the verse itself and the passage that encompasses it contain a warning and threat against those who disobey Allah.


This verse is not condemning the killing of a non-Muslim, but is issuing a stern warning to those who oppose or reject Islam.
===(2:256) Let there be no compulsion in religion===
 
===Let there be no compulsion in religion (2:256)===
{{main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Forced Conversion}}
{{main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Forced Conversion}}
====Verse====


{{Quote|1={{Quran|2|256}}|2=Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.}}
{{Quote|1={{Quran|2|256}}|2=Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.}}


====Meaning of Verse====
{{Quran|2|256}}, often cited as evidence of religious tolerance in Islamic law, refers, in fact, only to those who convert to Islam rather than leave it. The circumstances given in the hadith literature about the revelation of the verse show the context and sense in which the above verse was read - one markedly different from its modern usage.
 
A very famous misinterpreted verse, actually referring to people in other religions converting to Islam.


{{quote|{{Abudawud|14|2676}}|Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas<BR>
{{quote|{{Abudawud|14|2676}}|Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas<BR>
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When the children of a woman (in pre-Islamic days) did not survive, she took a vow on herself that if her child survives, she would convert it a Jew. When Banu an-Nadir were expelled (from Arabia), there were some children of the Ansar (Helpers) among them. They said: We shall not leave our children. So Allah the Exalted revealed; "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error."}}
When the children of a woman (in pre-Islamic days) did not survive, she took a vow on herself that if her child survives, she would convert it a Jew. When Banu an-Nadir were expelled (from Arabia), there were some children of the Ansar (Helpers) among them. They said: We shall not leave our children. So Allah the Exalted revealed; "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error."}}


Ibn Kathir in the version of his tafsir abridged by Sheikh Muhammad Nasib Ar-Rafa‘i, has this to say (note that this portion has not been translated by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri who is responsible for the ''abridged'' version of Tafsir Ibn Kathir widely available on the internet):
Ibn Kathir in the version of his tafsir abridged by Sheikh Muhammad Nasib Ar-Rafa‘i, says the following (note that this portion has not been translated by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri who is responsible for the ''abridged'' version of Tafsir Ibn Kathir):


{{Quote|Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, Al-Firdous Ltd., London, 1999: First Edition, Part 3, pp. 37-38|Allah says: "There is no compulsion in religion", meaning: do not force anyone to embrace Islam, because it is clear and its proofs and evidences are manifest. Whoever Allah guides and opens his heart to Islam has indeed embraced it with clear evidence. Whoever Allah misguides blinds his heart and has set a seal on his hearing and a covering on his eyes cannot embrace Islam by force...hence Allah revealed this verse. '''But, this verse is abrogated by the verse of "fighting...Therefore, all people of the world should be called to Islam. If anyone of them refuses to do so, or refuses to pay the Jizya they should be fought till they are killed. This is the meaning of compulsion.''' In the Sahih, the Prophet said: "Allah wonders at those people who will enter Paradise in chains", meaning prisoners brought in chains to the Islamic state, then they embrace Islam sincerely and become righteous, and are entered among the people of Paradise.<ref>Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 253 to 286, Surah Al-Imran, ayat 1 to 92, abridged by Sheikh Muhammad Nasib Ar-Rafa‘i [Al-Firdous Ltd., London, 1999: First Edition], Part 3, pp. 37-38</ref>}}
{{Quote|Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, Al-Firdous Ltd., London, 1999: First Edition, Part 3, pp. 37-38|Allah says: "There is no compulsion in religion", meaning: do not force anyone to embrace Islam, because it is clear and its proofs and evidences are manifest. Whoever Allah guides and opens his heart to Islam has indeed embraced it with clear evidence. Whoever Allah misguides blinds his heart and has set a seal on his hearing and a covering on his eyes cannot embrace Islam by force...hence Allah revealed this verse. '''But, this verse is abrogated by the verse of "fighting...Therefore, all people of the world should be called to Islam. If anyone of them refuses to do so, or refuses to pay the Jizya they should be fought till they are killed. This is the meaning of compulsion.''' In the Sahih, the Prophet said: "Allah wonders at those people who will enter Paradise in chains", meaning prisoners brought in chains to the Islamic state, then they embrace Islam sincerely and become righteous, and are entered among the people of Paradise.<ref>Tafsir of Ibn Kathir, Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 253 to 286, Surah Al-Imran, ayat 1 to 92, abridged by Sheikh Muhammad Nasib Ar-Rafa‘i [Al-Firdous Ltd., London, 1999: First Edition], Part 3, pp. 37-38</ref>}}
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First, this is an authentic Hadith, with only three narrators between Imam Ahmad and the Prophet . However, it is not relevant to the subject under discussion, for the Prophet did not force that man to become Muslim. The Prophet merely invited this man to become Muslim, and he replied that he does not find himself eager to become Muslim. The Prophet said to the man that even though he dislikes embracing Islam, he should still embrace it, `for Allah will grant you sincerity and true intent.' }}
First, this is an authentic Hadith, with only three narrators between Imam Ahmad and the Prophet . However, it is not relevant to the subject under discussion, for the Prophet did not force that man to become Muslim. The Prophet merely invited this man to become Muslim, and he replied that he does not find himself eager to become Muslim. The Prophet said to the man that even though he dislikes embracing Islam, he should still embrace it, `for Allah will grant you sincerity and true intent.' }}


====Conclusion====
It is plain, in context, that the verse was traditionally understood to have little to nothing to do with religious tolerance as it is presently understood.


This verse has nothing to do with tolerance of other beliefs.
===(2:195) Do not cast yourselves into destruction===
 
===Those who blow themselves up are throwing themselves into destruction (2:195)===
 
====Verse====


{{Quote|{{Quran|2|195}}|And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|195}}|And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good.}}


====Meaning of Verse====
{{Quran|2|195}}uses the word 'destruction' to refer to the abandonment of Jihad (rather than its implementation). In this respect it is similar to {{Quran|5|32}}, as the popular reference to the verse assumes an interpretation and context altogether opposite that held by the Islamic scholarly and scriptural tradition.
 
In this verse, destruction actually refers to abandoning Jihad, and like verse 5:32, means the complete opposite of what apologists claim.


{{Quote|Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i, `Abd bin Humayd in his Tafsir, Ibn Abu Hatim, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Marduwyah, Al-Hafiz Abu Ya`la in his Musnad, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim|"A man from among the Ansar broke enemy (Byzantine) lines in Constantinople (Istanbul). Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari was with us then. So some people said, `He is throwing himself to destruction.'
{{Quote|Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i, `Abd bin Humayd in his Tafsir, Ibn Abu Hatim, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Marduwyah, Al-Hafiz Abu Ya`la in his Musnad, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim|"A man from among the Ansar broke enemy (Byzantine) lines in Constantinople (Istanbul). Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari was with us then. So some people said, `He is throwing himself to destruction.'
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(And spend in the cause of Allah and do not throw yourselves into destruction.)''' the destruction refers to staying with our families and estates and abandoning Jihad'''."<ref>[http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=2&tid=5087 The Command to spend in the Cause of Allah] - Tafsir Ibn Kathir</ref>}}
(And spend in the cause of Allah and do not throw yourselves into destruction.)''' the destruction refers to staying with our families and estates and abandoning Jihad'''."<ref>[http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=2&tid=5087 The Command to spend in the Cause of Allah] - Tafsir Ibn Kathir</ref>}}


====Conclusion====
It is evident that traditionally the verse was read such that 'destruction' metaphorically referred to the spiritual destruction of that person's soul who refused to engage in Jihad, which had been divinely prescribed. In sahih (authentic) hadith, Muhammad is reported to have referred to such persons who refused to engage in Jihad as being 'hypocrites'.
 
The ones who are committing destruction and suicide in Allah's eyes are the peace loving Muslims who refuse to participate in Jihad. Sahih (authentic) hadith record Muhammad calling these lukewarm Muslims 'hypocrites'.


{{Quote|{{Muslim|2|4696}}|It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: One who died but did not fight in the way of Allah nor did he express any desire (or determination) for Jihad died the death of a hypocrite. }}
{{Quote|{{Muslim|2|4696}}|It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: One who died but did not fight in the way of Allah nor did he express any desire (or determination) for Jihad died the death of a hypocrite. }}
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The martyr who sacrifices himself and dies for the sake of his faith finds his place in Paradise. He receives blessings from the prophets and the righteous. He is alive and provided for by Allah, The Exalted.}}
The martyr who sacrifices himself and dies for the sake of his faith finds his place in Paradise. He receives blessings from the prophets and the righteous. He is alive and provided for by Allah, The Exalted.}}


===If they incline towards peace, you incline also, Allah hates aggressors (8:61)===
===(8:61) If they incline towards peace, you incline also, Allah hates aggressors===
 
====Verse====


{{Quote|{{Quran|8|61}}|But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things).}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|8|61}}|But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things).}}
====Meaning of Verse====


[[Abrogation|Abrogation]] (Naskh) refers to one Qur'anic verse superseding another, and is itself supported by [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Islamic Theology#Abrogation|Qur'anic verses]] and various hadith narrations. According to Ibn ‘Abbās (Muhammad's Cousin) verse 8:61 has been replaced by another well known verse.  
[[Abrogation|Abrogation]] (Naskh) refers to one Qur'anic verse superseding another, and is itself supported by [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Islamic Theology#Abrogation|Qur'anic verses]] and various hadith narrations. According to Ibn ‘Abbās (Muhammad's Cousin) verse 8:61 has been replaced by another well known verse.  
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