It's very sad to hear and see many people spread their misunderstandings of Islam. It's like the game telephone/ gossip. One person whispers something to another and yet another and by the end of game the original phrase has been completely warped. The so-called 'experts' on Islam are no more experts than an illiterate person on how to read. Just because someone has lived in a certain area for a few years, or because they've read several books (except the one book that really counts, which is the Quran) doesn't mean they are qualified to be called or considered an expert on a religion they aren't following or practicing. I keep saying this over and over again, but it can't be said enough. Would you turn to an encyclopedia to learn about Christianity? Would you seek the guidance of a Christian to learn all about the religion of Buddhism? Why then, are people accepting what Christians, atheists and Jews are saying about Islam as accurate and true? Pick up a Quran and start reading all of it, not just a phrase here and there. Or click the link to the right to read the Quran online.
I will attempt to explain the actual meaning of a few verses of the Quran that are so often misquoted, misunderstood and taken out of context. I would prefer that you listen to this explanation by sheikh Yusuf Estes. It is about 40 minutes long. If one is going to make arguments and accusations against an entire religion, I would hope gathering facts would be an important first step. In the grand scheme of things, 40 minutes isn't very long. However I know a lot of you won't listen, so I will do my best, God willing, to explain.
Jihad is often understood to mean the killing of anyone not practicing Islam by muslims who do so in the name of Allah. As I've mentioned in previous blogs (please see my post, 'Food for Thought') there are many meanings of jihad and many types of jihad. The word itself means struggle. To take up arms and physically fight for the sake of Allah is just one example, yet this has rules and regulations that must be carefully followed to be acceptable. This word is often thrown around by media and by 'experts', yet is not common in the Quran and the two most popular verses that people use as an example of jihad don't even contain the word jihad in them.
Transliteration is the pronunciation of arabic written out as it sounds. If you click here you can see the verse written out in transliteration so you can see for yourself the word jihad is never mentioned.
Quran 9:36
Sahih International: (english translation)
Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him].
These are other very popular verses which are misinterpreted. During the time of the Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, tribal leaders served as governmental officials, and controlled cities, towns, villages. In Islam, it is mandatory for all capable muslims to perform Hajj, which is a pilgrimage to the Kabaa in Mecca. After several years of attempting to make pilgrimage, the main tribe, Quraysh, would prohibit muslims from entering Mecca. Often times the pilgrims were robbed, some were killed, and others were taken captive as slaves. Allah forbade any pilgrims from retaliating and fighting. Finaly, after 12 years, Muhammad, pbuh, signed a treaty called Hudaybiyyah with the tribes allowing pilgrims to return to Mecca to perform their pilgrimage for 3 days. However, as the time got closer for the muslims to travel to Mecca, they began to worry that they would be turned away yet again. So Allah revealed these verses to Mohammad, pbuh, giving them permission to retaliate and fight ONLY if the Quraysh initiated. These verses refer to the Quraysh, not to Jews and Christians as is so often misquoted.
Quran 2:190-194
Sahih International: (verse 109)
Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.
(verse 191)
And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
(verse 192)
And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
(verse 193)
Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah . But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors.
(verse 194)
[Fighting in] the sacred month is for [aggression committed in] the sacred month, and for [all] violations is legal retribution. So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Him.
I'm sure you've heard that Islam is the religion of peace. Indeed this is true. Here are just a few examples of Allah ordering us all to be peaceful. Is it logical that there would be so many verses about peace, yet the religion itself would be violent? Not likely.
Quran 2:224
Sahih International:
And do not make [your oath by] Allah an excuse against being righteous and fearing Allah and making peace among people. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
Quran 25:63
Sahih International:
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace,
Quran 28:55
Sahih International:
And when they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say, “For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace will be upon you; we seek not the ignorant.”
Quran 49:11
Sahih International:
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.
Quran 29:46
Sahih International:
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture[Christians] except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.”
Doesn't sound very violent and horrific, does it? As you can see, the violence happening across the world isn't coming from Islam, or the Quran. It's coming from misguided people. I would hope none of us hold an entire religion, country, culture, etc. accountable for what a few people do. Hatred and violence is never acceptable, especially in Islam. As educated, sophisticated people, it's obvious you can't just cut and paste words, phrases, and verses from the Quran, or any book for that matter, and use it as an example of how people believe and live. Please don't add to the falsities. Speak of what you know, be silent of what you don't, and be careful of what you're unsure. On the day of judgement, not only will we be held accountable for our actions, but also for our words. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
