Violent Verses Part 10 By HJS

We have been concerned about the epithets and verses hurled at the West and others, some singled out for attack or for harassment. The harassment and attacks are planned and carried out with the idea that generally, believers can do so with impunity to non-believers. The believers believe there is a disjunction between the Deity and us which not only justifies such treatment, but actually commands it. Of course, the West recognizes God as well, but the messages we get differs in that we are charged with loving our fellow man as ourselves and showing tolerance toward his beliefs. Meanwhile, some use these verses as justification for crimes committed against us, despite our manifestations of universal love and tolerance. Perhaps they truly do not know their scriptures and are misguided by others. Those who do not know what they are supposed to know, sometimes reap a whirlwind of violent misunderstanding. Why chance the darkness when candles are everywhere for the taking?

The Curse of Allah

The curse of Allah is on disbelievers! (Qur’an 2:89)

فۚ فَلَعۡنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ٨٩

From Mawdudi's Introduction to Sura Two

In this portion invitation to the Guidance has particularly been extended to the children of Israel and their past and present attitude has been criticised to show that the cause of their degradation was their deviation from the Guidance. (40 – 120)

This Surah is an invitation to the Divine Guidance and all the stories, incidents etc., revolve round this central theme. As this Surah has particularly been addressed to the Jews, many historical events have been cited from their own traditions to admonish and advise them that their own good lies in accepting the Guidance revealed to the Holy Prophet. They should, therefore, be the first to accept it because it was basically the same that was revealed to Prophet Moses (Allah's peace be upon him).

Original Text (From Pickthal – www.oneummah.net)

And verily We gave unto Moses the Scripture and We caused a train of messengers to follow after him, and We gave unto Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty), and We supported him with the Holy spirit. Is it ever so, that, when there cometh unto you a messenger (from Allah) with that which ye yourselves desire not, ye grow arrogant, and some ye disbelieve and some ye slay? (87) And they say: Our hearts are hardened. Nay, but Allah hath cursed them for their unbelief. Little is that which they believe. (88) And when there cometh unto them a scripture from Allah, confirming that in their possession - though before that they were asking for a signal triumph over those who disbelieved - and when there cometh unto them that which they know (to be the truth) they disbelieve therein. The curse of Allah is on disbelievers. (89)

Comments

These verses show that Allah appears to be describing the patent ungratefulness of the Jews to receiving the gifts of the divine messages sent to Moses, followed by other prophets to further explain how His “chosen people” were to behave. The roadmap to paradise should have been met with cheers and gratitude. Allah appeared angry that some of the Jews evidently did not understand that just knowing the pathway was the key to a happy life. Those who did not openly reject the guidance were slipshod about keeping His laws, choosing to obey some laws while ignoring others. In a verse immediately following 2:89, He noted His anger at the “arrogance shown by the Jews that He had chosen Muhammad as a Prophet.”

Many of the verses in this sura and others reflect much anger at the Jews, following Muhammad’s announcement to Hebrew scholars of his prophet status. A conflict of knowledge appears to have manifested a chasm between the Jews of Yathrib and the new prophet, as evidenced by relevant verses describing the “depths of depravity” to which the Jews must have descended to have dared to alter so much that had been revealed to them.

We in the West generally do not allow religious
differences to mar our relationships with people. We have seen the results of religious wars over the centuries and have long ago chosen to keep religious beliefs on one plane, while we enjoyed each other’s humanity on another. It is to the detriment of humanity in general that some groups have not yet learned to do that

If God were to ever weep, most certainly He would do so out of frustration because of the time and the opportunities wasted by groups finding fault with others and taking revenge for real and imagined affronts, and for assumed offenses against God, using esoteric moral standards not always accepted or even known by other groups. The United Nations has not achieved much, but it has developed standards for human conduct that takes into consideration all people, not just a few. If that body cannot press for universal recognition and compliance of such a minimal moral code, then its very essence is in question. The world is waiting.