Islam's Lie: "There Is No Compulsion In Religion" (2:256)

What’s the conspiracy? The conspiracy is the deliberate and inaccurate portrayal of freedom of religion in Islam based upon the Qur’anic verse, ”Let there be no compulsion is religion.” (2:256)

Many Muslims, Apologists, Supporters, and Defenders do not represent the verse in its full context, completely fail to take into consideration the historic environment in which the verse was revealed, and do not acknowledge abrogation regarding the verse.




Firstly, let us quote the verse according to its full and entire context:

"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects "Taghut" (disbelief and going against Islam and Allah) and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.

Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith their patrons are the "Taghut" (disbelief and going against Islam and Allah): from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (Forever)."

- Qur'an, Suratul Baqarah, ayat 256 & 257 (2:256-257)

• (Point # 1)
As we can plainly see, the verse in its entire context of revelation is biased towards the belief in and obedience to Allah. The word "Taghut" has been often white-washed to the incorrect translation of "evil" or "Satan" or "Idols", but infact, "Taghut" means: The action of disbelief and disobedience to Allah and Islam. In addition, the verse in its entire revealed context ends with a threat of Hell Fire to non-Muslims.

Historic Environment Regarding "No compulsion in religion"





Next, let us examine when, why, and under what circumstances the above revelation was revealed.

In a campaign to cleanse Medina of its Jewish inhabitants, Muhammad launched an unprovoked assault against the Jewish Tribe known as Banu Nadir who were living in the vicinity of Medina.
(Invasion of Banu Nadir)

Muhammad ordered the assassination of Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf, who was one of the leaders of the Banu Nadir tribe. His crime was speaking badly against Islam. The assassination was done in the middle of the night, under the guise of lying to Ka'b to get him to drop his guard. Some Muslims lied to Ka'b about their abandoning Muhammad, and then proceeded to assassinate Ka'b.





Because of the assassination of Ka'b, and the attacks and expulsion of other Jewish tribes from Medina, and also due to the constant demands of jizya and alms taxes,... the tribe of Banu Nadir refused to pay yet another alms to Muhammad as "blood money" for the the deaths of two men that died in a skirmish that Muslims had instigated. For refusing to pay the alms, Muhammad accused the Banu Nadir of plotting to assassinate him, which he concluded based on "revelation."





Because of the refusal to pay alms, Muhammad banished the Banu Nadir tribe from Medina. After the banishment, the wealth of Banu Nadir was discovered through Muslim spies and intelligence officers. Muhammad then claimed that Angel Gabriel revealed that the banished Jews were plotting to assassinate him. Because of "Angel Gabriel," Muhammad attacked Banu Nadir, killed their men, enslaved the women and children, and then confiscated all of their wealth.





After the destruction of Banu Nadir, one of the tribe leaders named Kenana ibn al-Rabi was executed. In the accounts of an early Islamic historian, Muhammad ibn Ishaq, it is mentioned that Kenana was tortured in order to discover where Banu Nadir’s wealth and treasure was hidden. After Kenana’s execution, Islam’s prophet Muhammad then married his grieving wife Safiyya bint Huyayy.








It was in direct relationship to the unprovoked destruction and annihilation of Banu Nadir that "no compulsion in religion" was revealed:

"When the children of a woman (in pre-Islamic days) did not survive, she took a vow on herself that if her child survives, she would convert it a Jew. When Banu an-Nadir were expelled (from Arabia), there were some children of the Ansar (Helpers) among them. They said: We shall not leave our children. So Allah the Exalted revealed; "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error."

- Sunan Abu Dawood

It was reported that; the Ansar were the reason behind revealing this Ayah, although its indication is general in meaning. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn Abbas said (that before Islam), "When (an Ansar) woman would not bear children who would live, she would vow that if she gives birth to a child who remains alive, she would raise him as a Jew. When Banu An-Nadir (the Jewish tribe) were evacuated (from Al-Madinah), some of the children of the Ansar were being raised among them, and the Ansar said, `We will not abandon our children.' Allah revealed, "There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path."

- Tafsir ibn Kathir

Ibn 'Abbas who said: “The women of the Ansar whose boys always died in infancy used to vow to bring up their boys as Jews if they were to live. When the Banu'l-Nadir were driven out, they had among them children of the Ansar. The Ansar said: 'We will not leave our children!' Upon which Allah, exalted is He, revealed (There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error …)”.

 

Ibn 'Abbas who said regarding the saying of Allah, exalted is He, (There is no compulsion in religion…): “The woman of the Ansar whose boys never survived used to vow that if a boy of hers survived, she would raise him as a Jew. When the Banu'l-Nadir were driven out of Medina they had among them children of the Ansar. The Ansar said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Our Children!' Allah, exalted is He, therefore revealed (There is no compulsion in religion…)”.

- Tafsir Al-Wahidi

• (Point #2)
Muhammad annihilated and destroyed the Jewish tribe Banu Nadir, unprovoked. Afterwards, an Ansari woman acquainted with the tribe vowed to convert her child to the religion of Judaism. "No compulsion in religion" was revealed in order to stop an Ansari baby from being raised as a Jew.

Abrogation Regarding "No compulsion in religion"


And finally, let us take into consideration the concept of abrogation.

Abrogation, in the Qur'an, is when Allah later changes his mind, contradicts himself, or supersedes an earlier verse for a newer verse. Allah admits to abrogation in the Qur'an in verses 2:106 and 16:101.

"No compulsion in religion" was abrogated two years later in favor of jihad against non-believers:

But then Allah's saying (There is no compulsion in religion…) was abrogated and the Prophet was commanded to fight the "People of the Book" in Suratul Tawbah”

- Tafsir Al-Wahidi

Ibn Abbas said: it was revealed with regard to a man from the tribe of Bani Salim Ibn Awf called al-Husayni whose two sons converted to Christianity but he was himself a Muslim. He told the Prophet: "Shall I force them to embrace Islam, they insist on Christianity", hence Allah revealed this verse. But, this verse was abrogated by the verse of fighting.

- Tafsir ibn Kathir

Two years after the "No compulsion in religion" verse was revealed, this is the set of verses that were revealed to abrogate/supersede it.

"1. [This is a declaration of] disassociation, from Allah and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists.

2. So travel freely, [O disbelievers], throughout the land [during] four months but know that you cannot cause failure to Allah and that Allah will disgrace the disbelievers.

3. And [it is] an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah is disassociated from the disbelievers, and [so is] His Messenger. So if you repent, that is best for you; but if you turn away - then know that you will not cause failure to Allah . And give tidings to those who disbelieve of a painful punishment.

4. Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].

5. And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."

- Qur'an, Suratul Tawbah, ayah 1-5 (9:1-5)

Verse 1-3 state that Allah and Muhammad are now disassociated from all non-believers.

Verse 4 says to honor the remaining treaties with non-believers only until their predetermined length has expired.

Verse 5 says to kill, enslave, and besiege all non-believers anywhere unless they become Muslim, indicated by "repent, prayer, and zakah".

Chapter 9 of the Qur'an contains many of the last verses to be revealed in Islam including:

"O you who have believed, fight those near to you of the disbelievers and let them find in you harshness. And know that Allah is with the righteous."

- Quran, Suratul Tawbah, ayat 123 (9:123)

"O Prophet, fight against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination."

- Quran, Suratul Tawbah, ayah 73 (9:73)

And two years after this declaration of all-out jihad against non-Muslims, Muhammad gave his "Farewell Sermon" shortly before his death. In this final sermon, Muhammad states that the only superiority among mankind is religious superiority:

"All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by taqwa (piety through the obedience of Allah) and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood."

• (Point #3)
In the Qur'an, the jihad in Surah 9 abrogates/supersedes the "no compulsion in religion" verse. Additionally, Muhammad's "Final Sermon" commands religious superiority and the separation of Muslims into "one brotherhood" separate from non-Muslims.

There is a news post on ATS.com now where Christians were slaughtered by non Christians in Syria, and look at the mayhem going on in Indonesia, Africa, Thailand, I get daily updates from news blogs 'rantburg' and 'atlas shrugs'
I sometimes wonder why I read the horror of it all, Muslim sects bomb each other in Iraq!

love it when extremist relativists try to ignore/excuse the Islamic elephant in the room by comparing with Christianity- as if Muhammad could be compared with Jesus........

reply to post by Credenceskynyrd


Great point about apologists referencing Christianity.


I am hoping that in this thread, all disagreement and rebuttals will stay on topic to the above mentioned (Points #1-3) instead of using the tactic of deflection by mentioning other religions and other groups.

If anyone wants to discuss the wrongs of Europe, the U.S., the Christians, the Papacy, the Jews, or any other religious/political/cultural/national groups.... PLEASE make a separate thread about those issues. Here and now we are discussing all things directly relative to Qur'an verse 2:256

@ op

Please explain to all of us at ATS how Iran is home to 25,000 Jews.
Also explain how India remains a Hindu nation despite being ruled by Muslims for several centuries.

Consider these as counter points to your claims.

reply to post by Kgnow


That's one of the biggest crocks in Islam. If there truly was no compulsion in Islam they wouldn't murder people who convert to other faiths or call for the murder of infidels.

Originally posted by sk0rpi0n
@ op

Please explain to all of us at ATS how Iran is home to 25,000 Jews.

an acceptably small minority, easy to manage, no trouble

Also explain how India remains a Hindu nation despite being ruled by Muslims for several centuries.

conflict

Originally posted by sk0rpi0n
@ op

Please explain to all of us at ATS how Iran is home to 25,000 Jews.
Also explain how India remains a Hindu nation despite being ruled by Muslims for several centuries.

Consider these as counter points to your claims.

Isn't Iran basically secular besides the hard line Islamists? Or in other words, apostates? Why would apostates or seculars be concerned with the Jews?

reply to post by sk0rpi0n


India and Iran are representive of modern socio-political societies/systems created by the ideas of the people who govern today.

In chronological order of Qur'anic revelation, + abrogation, + hadith, and + historic event, it is perfectly clear according to all academic domains, be they Islamic, Western, or Eastern,... that Allah and Muhammad intentionally left a finalized, fully complete, and in Allah's words; "This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion."(5:3)

Meaning, the finalized abrogations, and historic sayings, actions, and attitudes of Allah and Muhammad in chronologic order in the time leading to up to Muhammad's death is how Islam was meant to be followed, i.e., in its final and "perfect" form.


Show us, in reference to historic and chronological order where this op is proven wrong or contradicted in Qur'an and/or Sunnah!


What we see in kingdoms and rulers after Muhammad's death and today are the governments of MAN. Let us please stick to Qur'an and Sunnah in chronologic order.

reply to post by Credenceskynyrd


sk0rpi0n : Please explain to all of us at ATS how Iran is home to 25,000 Jews.

an acceptably small minority, easy to manage, no trouble

Small, easy to manage minorities should be the easiest to convert.... but since Iran hasn't converted its own Jews after all these years... it means the popular theory that Islam wanted to convert everybody to Islam is BOGUS.


sk0rpi0n: Also explain how India remains a Hindu nation despite being ruled by Muslims for several centuries.

conflict

Try harder.
India remains a hindu country because the Muslims never intended to convert everybody by force. Read above.

Originally posted by sk0rpi0n
@ op

Please explain to all of us at ATS how Iran is home to 25,000 Jews.
Also explain how India remains a Hindu nation despite being ruled by Muslims for several centuries.

Consider these as counter points to your claims.

They are crossing the border illegally and violently displacing the indigenous population whose homes and possessions they either destroy or occupy. They are attacking the young, the elderly, and especially the girls and women, whom they kidnap, forcibly convert, or traffic into brothels. The locals are terrified of them. The police rarely come to their aid, nor do the politically correct media or government. Both are terrified by the criminals and terrorists who are riding these immigrant waves. I am not talking about illegal immigrants to Europe or North America. I am describing Muslims who are penetrating India’s West Bengal region. These Bangladeshi immigrants are becoming conduits for criminal activities (arms, drugs, and sexual slavery) which also fund global jihad.

hindusamhati.blogspot.com...

i think you're forgetting how india "became" muslim ruled. the above is current events, and the below is past events.

The Muslim conquests, down to the 16th century, were for the Hindus a pure struggle of life and death. Entire cities were burnt down and the populations massacred, with hundreds of thousands killed in every campaign, and similar numbers deported as slaves. Every new invader made (often literally) his hills of Hindus skulls. Thus, the conquest of Afghanistan in the year 1000 was followed by the annihilation of the Hindu population; the region is still called the Hindu Kush, i.e. Hindu slaughter.

www.danielpipes.org...
yes, completely peaceful MASSIVE SLAUGHTER that is still continuing today.

christian extremists (not following the bible's teachings) blow up abortion clinics where muslims (following the teachings and examples of muhammad) rape, pillage, and force women into brothels.

the difference here (i'm not trying to make this a muslim v. christian thread) is that these things are not a product of radical islam, but mainstream teachings and practices.

reply to post by NOTurTypical

Isn't Iran basically secular besides the hard line Islamists? Or in other words, apostates? Why would apostates or seculars be concerned with the Jews?

Wait... can you first get me some sources on the fact that Islam is secular? Or did you just sneak in a lie?
From what I know, Iran is an "Islamic Republic". wiki

So why is an Islamic country letting 25,000 Jews remain Jews? Why haven't they converted them yet?

reply to post by Bob Sholtz


Your source...hindusamhati.blogspot.com is a hindu right-wing blog that antagonizes both Muslims AND Christians. In one article it accuses Christians of being a threat to Hindus... kind of like how many people in this thread accuse Muslims of being a threat.

This is from an article on the link YOU posted....

Every Hindu is the inheritor of the only surviving spiritual knowledge which at the moment is under a concerted attack by Christian missionaries,

Link

So what now, should ATS believe this point of view regarding Christians? No? Then why should your statements on Islam... as quoted from that site count?

(i'm not trying to make this a muslim v. christian thread)

No, you have made it hindu vs Muslim/Christian. Read above.

Seeing how your sources are basically anti-Christian / anti-Islamic websites.... the second link you posted can just as well be dismissed.

Originally posted by sk0rpi0n
reply to post by NOTurTypical

 

Isn't Iran basically secular besides the hard line Islamists? Or in other words, apostates? Why would apostates or seculars be concerned with the Jews?

Wait... can you first get me some sources on the fact that Islam is secular? Or did you just sneak in a lie?
From what I know, Iran is an "Islamic Republic". wiki

So why is an Islamic country letting 25,000 Jews remain Jews? Why haven't they converted them yet?

I didn't say Islam is basically secular, I said Iran. And I said other than the hardliners. The hardliners are certainly militant fundamentalists.

reply to post by sk0rpi0n


So, are you saying that the Muslims marched into India without fighting and just ruled for a period of time, then left?

There was a recent thread where a Muslim told me that the Muslim armies went to India to obtain possession of certain large jewels.

reply to post by sk0rpi0n

*facepalm* they aren't claiming to be under PHYSICAL attack from christians, (though they are from muslims, as are christians), but that they feel the spread of christianity is encroaching on their beliefs.

i noticed you chose not to respond to how india became "muslim ruled".

here's another article on it:
www.foxnews.com...

deny all you want.

When Islamic zealots ransacked the office of the renowned newspaper, ‘The Statesman’ in Kolkata, in retaliation for a mere reproduction of an article condemning Islamic extremism, the Indian press remained silent. The editor and publisher of the newspaper were arrested for offending Muslim sentiments and no action was taken against the rioters.

and some history on the spread of islam through war may be found here:

The Islamic state expanded very rapidly after the death of Muhammad through remarkable successes both at converting unbelievers to Islam and by military conquests of the Islamic community's opponents. Expansion of the Islamic state was an understandable development, since Muhammad himself had successfully established the new faith through conversion and conquest of those who stood against him.

history-world.org...

Originally posted by sk0rpi0n
Small, easy to manage minorities should be the easiest to convert.... but since Iran hasn't converted its own Jews after all these years... it means the popular theory that Islam wanted to convert everybody to Islam is BOGUS.

It is not BOGUS, you can want something without it actually happening- where have I suggested that Islam has never had minorities *usually in dhimmi status* residing within territories where it dominates.

25,000 is more or less an irrelevance- put it this way (since Judaism is not a proselytsing religion) say Christianity started to grow, say it became 5%, then 10% etc- how do you think Islamic Iran would deal with that, honest answers only, you know full well- WHAT WOULD THE PENALTY BE IN IRAN FOR APOSTASY?!

India remains a hindu country because the Muslims never intended to convert everybody by force. Read above.

Try harder- Islam arrived in India behaving as their prophet behaved, through invasion and violence- there has been continued conflict and violence to this day- Hindus have managed to maintain their identity and religion, but it has been no walk in the park

Mughals/ Islamic Invaders really never invaded entire India . For long periods of time they were at war with the Hindu dominated kingdom of Maratha's...eventually the Mughals were defeated even after outnumbering the Maratha's heavily