reply to post by Lionhearte
I have read many different translations of the Quran and I'm currently learning to read it in Arabic, I am constantly expanding my knowledge of the
religion, as opposed to most people on here who just seem to watch the news and formulate their opinions. The Quran does mention killing infidels,
in battle. The first Muslims faced very heavy persecution from non-Muslims and all the while the prophet and his followers ignored their
taunts, they spat on him, tried to kill him, killed his followers and still they ignored the people persecuting them and Muhammad continued to preach
his message even whilst being threatened with death. After the migration to Medina after the Meccan tribes plotted to kill him and the first Muslim
state was formed the Muslims faced war from the non Muslims. Any violent reference in the Quran to killing unbelievers is related to the ensuing
battles Muslims faced and the defence of the Muslim community against people who were trying to wipe them out. These quotes are often cut and pasted
onto websites, completely removing their context and taking away many following verses which give them meaning and context.
Here are some popular misquoted verses of the Quran
"And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but
fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress
faith. " Quran [2:191]
Here the Quran states that they are only allowed to fight when they are persecuted, they are only allowed to fight in defense AFTER they have been
attacked.
"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors." Quran [2:190]
This is saying that when they fight they aren't allowed to go beyond the limits set by God (only allowed to fight after they've been attacked, aren't
allowed to kill non-combatants etc)
"But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful" Quran [2:192]
This means that if the non Muslims stop fighting, God will forgive those who persecuted the Muslims and the Muslims will no longer be allowed to fight
against them
"And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, Let there be no
hostility except to those who practise oppression." Quran [2:193]
The overall message of this is that only when there is persecution against the Muslim community is any violence acceptable, when the Muslims are
persecuted Muslims are allowed to fight against their persecutors, until they seek peace.
The Quran doesn't say only martyrs go to heaven, it says those who die in service to God are blessed with God's mercy. A Shahid (martyr) is not simply
someone who dies in battle, you could be in a car crash on the way to the mosque, that would make you a martyr, you could die doing ANY religious duty
and this makes you a martyr, it's not limited to people fighting, though those who do fight to defend their family or their religion from persecution
can be considered martyrs. The Quran forbids war unless it is the only option, even when fighting the Quran states that one cannot 'transgress',
transgression is explained throughout the hadiths as killing non-combatants, destroying crops, mutilation, torture etc. Muslims are commanded by God
to always seek peace, even if their enemy is persecuting them greatly they are only allowed to fight until there can be lasting peace, they aren't
allowed to persecute since they would be in violation of the Quran.
ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF PEACE, THE QURAN IS A MESSAGE OF TOLERANCE
Anymore questions about Islam?
edit on 27-4-2011 by lifeissacred because: (no reason given)
edit on 27-4-2011 by lifeissacred
because: (no reason given)
edit on 27-4-2011 by lifeissacred because: (no reason given)
edit on 27-4-2011 by
lifeissacred because: keep missing spelling mistakes