Modi, Mani, and Radi are continuing to look at the violent verses, this time in Mani’s house, where Barma, Mani’s wife, has just served tea and refreshments. She is careful not to accidentally touch any of the men; whoever was touched would be required to perform wudu.[1]
Mani: I think that verse 4:74 is next on the list, unless you have a more important one.
"Let those fight in the way of Allah who
sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah,
be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward.”
Modi: That verse is OK to use as a starting point. In fact, it is a very good starting point. If you back up a little to the same sura, verse 59 (4:59), Allah reminds the Muslims that all moral and political power rests with officials who are appointed over them. Their power is God’s, held in trust for Him. In verse 4:71, He reminds them that as Muslims, part of a Muslim community, they always must be on guard against attacks against their state because of its ideological base, a base that other communities consider hostile.[2]
Two verses following 4:74 (4:75, 76) in effect
say, "What is wrong with you that you will not fight for so important and so
just a cause? Don’t you realize that Satan’s power materializes only
whenever you decide in his favor? There is no excuse for succumbing to his
evil suggestions when so many guides are there to help you. Allah provides
great rewards for those who fight in His cause, whether they win or are
slain.”[3]
Mani: I see. It is more like “What have you got to lose?”
Radi: Yes, Mani. They are really fighting to defend themselves and their way of life. But, don't forget for a second that the Muslims were told in no uncertain terms that if something should happen to them on the battlefield or even on the way, the families of the fighters will be secure with part of the booty and the fighters themselves will immediately find themselves, without pain of any kind, in Paradise with houris to wait on them and take care of their every need.
Mani: That indeed is a powerful stimulis to fight, Modi. Can we now talk about Verse 4:89? It seems to be fairly close to the first one.
“They but wish that ye should reject Faith,
as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from
their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (from what is forbidden). But if
they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any
case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks.”
Modi: We just spoke of this the other day. Allah was speaking to his Prophet about the Hypocrites who were causing him so much trouble while he had all these other matters to resolve. Allah simply told him he is not their keeper and to stop trying to change them. If they get any worse, then do what you must to let others know that there are great punishments for obstructing Allah's messages--even death here and the fires after death. Allah was very keen on His messages being heard and understood by the followers of Muhammad and others. In the Qur'an, Allah spoke out in great anger about those who interfered.
Mani: This one, 4:95, seems to be particularly violent.
“Not equal are those believers who sit (at
home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah
with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those
who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at
home). Unto all (in Faith) hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and
fight hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special
reward.”
Modi: This and associated verses worry people whom the West calls “moderate Muslims.” Radi’s buddies use it as a sword over everyone’s neck to show that Allah does not think much of those who do not join jihad.
If God makes a big thing out of being merciful
to the jihadists and forgiving them their sins, the non-jihadists may eventually
learn they will have a hard time reaching Paradise. After suffering the
indignities of God again in verse 96 and of the angels in verse 97, Allah
finally says at the end of verse 97, “For such then, the goal is hell—and how
evil a journey’s end.”
Radi: Allah is saying, Modi, that if I don’t attack US troops I am going to hell. To heck with that, I am getting me an AK!
Mani: I would not be too sure about that, Radi. I can think of enemies of Iraq and Islam that do not include Americans or Europeans.
Radi: What? How can you say that?
Modi: The American troops could have come through Iraq like a huge, bloody scythe, slaughtering Iraqis wholesale. They did not. They stayed mainly on the high roads and just went after Saddam’s armies. Only when they were attacked by irregulars and insurgents did they find themselves forced to take defensive action against irregulars.
Mani: Yes, Radi. Because of the Americans, we now have our own government—an independent government. And if you think they are having a hard time functioning, just ask yourself who is fighting it.
Modi: So, we could make a good case for saying that Iraqis and others should be aiming a jihad at al Qaeda groups and insurgents—oh yes, this is already happening.
Mani: And moving right along, we have another warlike verse, same sura, 4:104.
“And be not weak hearted in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain,
then surely they (too) suffer pain as you suffer
pain....”
Modi: For some reason, God seemed to be more than a little worried that stopping for prayer was going to be a problem for Muslims. In 4:101, He allows Muslims to shorten their prayers if they fear a sneak attack. Following that closely, in 4:102, he suggests allowing half to pray while the other half watch—but nobody should stray too far from their weapons, even if it is raining or they are ill. In 4:103, He insists that once the fear of attack is over, they must go back to praying normally.
The full text of verse 4:104 is as follows:
“And do not be not faint of heart when you seek out the [enemy] host. If you
happen to suffer pain, behold, they suffer pain even as you suffer it; but
you are hoping [to receive] from God what they cannot hope for. And God is
indeed all-knowing, wise.”
Radi: That verse was about war but not particularly warlike. If my imam were to tell me something like the half-verse and not the rest and I was wounded in the fighting and then read the entire text later, I would go after him for retaliation.
Mani: Radi is right. Under the Sharia, if someone lies to you and, by so doing, causes you an injury or loss of an eye or limb, you can claim retaliation or indemnity.[4]
Radi: I wonder just how many coalition troops had been killed wrongfully because of these stupid imams calling for attacks, slayings, and massacres because of ayats (verses) that do not even exist?
Modi: Perhaps it is time we had a reckoning, Radi.
Mani: What about verse 5:33?
“The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger
and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be
murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on
opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for
them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous
chastisement.”
Modi: What Allah meant here, using the metaphors of the seventh century, would change the verse somewhat: “There are many contrary people arrayed against Muslims, in hostile opposition to the teachings of My messenger, and undermining My messages. But they have been found out and punished severely here and We have much more awaiting them in the next life.”
Radi: Nobody cut off hands and feet?
Modi: Perhaps not. When someone says that President Bush is going to be crucified by the press, you do not really expect the journalists to be nailing some planks together, do you?
Mani: Hey, some of those bozos might try.
Modi: You may want to read Muhammad Asad’s notes 44 and 45 to Sura 5, Message of the Qur’an, page 172. My copy is over on the table there.
Mani: We covered quite a lot today. I am sick at the difference between what evil people today are saying are Muhammad’s words. As Radi said, people are being killed because of these words.
Radi: Look, I have no qualms about bloodying my knife with the likes of a polytheist who is trying to insult Muhammad!
Modi: Radi, the word polytheist is another invective that should bite the dust. Many imams use the term to identify Christians who say Christ is the Son of God. Remember, yesterday we talked about God not authorizing anyone to say that.
Mani: Yes, I remember that the “Trinity” had been a pet peeve of Muhammad.
Modi: And about insulting Muhammad, Radi—anyone who insults our Most Beloved and Allah by ascribing the most vicious lies to them should taste the blade before the sun sets on that day.
Radi: Oh. I did not expect you to say that.
Barma: I will serve lunch in 15 minutes if you are ready.
Mani: One look at Radi’s face tells me he is ready.
Modi: I thought perhaps luncheon before the noon prayer would be OK today. Noon prayer will be at 12:06 today.
Radi: That is Friday’s time, I think Modi. I know it is 12:01 today.
Modi: I guess I checked the wrong website.
HJS
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1 Wudu means formal ablutions, for example: before prayers or touching the Qur'an.
2 Note 87, Message of the Qur'an, Muhammad Asad, Page 135
3 Notes 89, 90, ibid, page 136
3 (Sharia) Reliance of the Traveller, A Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law, page 585
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