Yesterday was Victory in Europe Day, 2009. On that day we remembered those who gave their lives to make peace and freedom from tyrants possible 65 years ago, and who paved the way for their brothers to do what had to be done to conquer Nazism. Today, we remind everyone that the world is not yet at peace. Today, Democracy and our way of life are threatened—or appear to be threatened—once again, by those misusing Quranic excerpts to attempt to convince us that they are only threatening what God has ordained for us. Truth is a stranger to those who mislead and to those ignorant of what they themselves should know, but do not.Violent Verse
So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite their necks until you have overcome them, then make them prisoners. (Qur’an 47:4)
[47:4] ذ لِكَ بِاَنَّ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا اتَّبَعُوْا الْبَاطِلَ وَاَنَّ الَّذِيْنَ ا مَنُوْا اتَّبَعُوْا الْحَقَّ مِنْ رَّبِّهِمْ كَذ لِكَ يَضْرِبُ اللّ هُ لِلنَّاسِ اَمْثَالَهُمْ
Original Verses
047.004 YUSUFALI: Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost.
PICKTHAL: Now when ye meet in battle those who disbelieve, then it is smiting of the necks until, when ye have routed them, then making fast of bonds; and afterward either grace or ransom till the war lay down its burdens. That (is the ordinance). And if Allah willed He could have punished them (without you) but (thus it is ordained) that He may try some of you by means of others. And those who are slain in the way of Allah, He rendereth not their actions vain. \
SHAKIR: So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favor or let them ransom (themselves) until the war terminates. That (shall be so); and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have exacted what is due from them, but that He may try some of you by means of others; and (as for) those who are slain in the way of Allah, He will by no means allow their deeds to perish.
Note: Smite their necks should not be taken literally, it is a 7th century expression that could translate to a more recent expression such as, “clobber them”. (Message of the Qur’an, Muhammad Asad, page 272, note 15.) hjs
Maududi’s Introduction to the Sura
According to Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi’s introduction to Sura 47, Surah Muhammad, [1] “The contents of this Surah testify that it was sent down after the hijrah at Madinah at the time when the fighting had been enjoined, though active fighting had not yet been undertaken.
Maududi’s Introduction to the Sura
According to Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi’s introduction to Sura 47, Surah Muhammad, [1] “The contents of this Surah testify that it was sent down after the hijrah at Madinah at the time when the fighting had been enjoined, though active fighting had not yet been undertaken.
“Such were the conditions when this Surah was revealed. Its theme is to prepare the believers for war and to give them preliminary instructions in this regard. That is why it has also been entitled al-Qital. It deals with the following topics:
At the outset it is said that of the two groups confronting
each other at this time, one has refused to accept the Truth and has become an obstruction for others on the way of Allah, while the other group has accepted the Truth which had been sent down by Allah to His servant, Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings). Now, Allah's final decision is that He has rendered fruitless and vain all the works of the former group and set right the condition and affairs of the latter group.
After this, the Muslims have been given the initial war instructions they have been reassured of Allah's help and guidance: they have been given hope for the best rewards on offering sacrifices in the cause of Allah and they have been assured that their struggle in the cause of the Truth will not go to waste, but they will be abundantly rewarded both in this world and in the Hereafter.
Furthermore, about the disbelievers it has been said that they are deprived of Allah's support and guidance: none of their designs will succeed in their conflict with the believers, and they will meet a most evil fate both in this world and in the Hereafter. They thought they had achieved a great success by driving the Prophet of Allah out of Makkah, but in fact by this they had hastened their own doom.”
Comments:
Whether the events are as described or not would not be material to the original and only meaning to the verse as it was recited. The verse directed the 7th century Muslims toward fighting their friends and their brothers in Mecca who were threatening them with battle. It had nothing to do with the West and any use of this verse as a justification for terror is wrong.
Qur’an ayat 2:79 allows us to understand that “… who could be more wicked than they who attribute their own lying inventions to God? On the Day of Judgment, such as these shall be arraigned before their Sustainer, and those who are called upon to bear witness against them shall say, ‘It is they who uttered lies about their Sustainer.’ Oh, verily, God’s rejection is the due of all evildoers.”
Some of the evildoers might also appreciate being reminded of Bukhari Hadith 3:367. “The Prophet said,
‘The most hated person in the sight of Allah is the most
quarrelsome.’”
In Violent Verses Part 13, we mentioned Bukhari Hadith 1:38 in which Muhammad cautioned not to be extremists. That hadith, along with verse 2:79 and Bukhari Hadith 3:367, above, considering their origins, could very well be the guiding light for many of us, no matter what the ideology.
In the words of Tiny Tim: “God bless us, every one.”
[1] http://www.qurantutoring.com/quran/Tafhim_al_Quran/Quran/47/index.html
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