You may have heard this before and it was allegedly a verse from the Quran. You will hear it being stressed upon by terror groups or used as evidence in so-called exposes that reveal the truth about Islam that it is indeed a religion of violence. In this week’s column, we wish to address this issue, this particular verse that is opposite of the Muslims’ claim that Islam is a religion of peace.
In many instances, some will try to paraphrase the verses in order to make it sound more terrorizing but what we shall be quoting are the well known English translation of the Quran by Saheeh International which is nearest to the original Arabic verse. We shall be discussing two of the most misinterpreted verses.
Allah said in the Quran, “And kill them wherever you overtake them.” Quran 2:191.
Allah also said in another verse, “Kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush.” Quran 9:5
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Yes, it is easy to get quite excited by these verses if you are anti-Muslim and you really believe that Islam is a religion of terrorism. For the average Muslim, these verses are also very agitating and worrying because it is indeed painting a negative picture of Islam. This really goes against Islam as we humans love the element of controversy and this is the reason why tabloids and other media that contain gossip, conspiracy and others proliferate. But of course, it is also human to be rational and to verify facts, to look at the proper context and at both sides and to look at the bigger picture.
The first verse when Allah said, “And kill them wherever you overtake them.” Quran 2:191. This verse has been revealed in the year 628 CE where the Muslims have been prevented by the people of Mecca who are their enemies, to perform Hajj or pilgrimage and they instead made a treaty with the Muslims that shall last for ten years and that they are only to be allowed to perform the pilgrimage next year. The polytheists mentioned here are the people of Mecca and not the polytheists of the whole world. This verse is not complete by itself and in order to understand it further, let us mention the verses before and after this.
Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.
And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them near the Ka’bah until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
By essence, these verses are instructions from Allah for the believers in case the people of Mecca betrays them. Now that we have studied some background about this verse, let us look at the bigger picture. The verses before and after are both instructions of Allah for Muslims to be just and fair and not to transgress. Allah does not want the Muslims to break the treaty or to deal with their enemy unfairly or commit terroristic acts.
To summarize the verses, it only says, the Muslims should only fight if they are fought. If they fight the polytheists, they are allowed to kill them in any battlefield and remove them from Mecca where they have removed the Muslims. Allah orders the Muslims to be just and fair before and after the verse that allows them to fight which is only to be done in defense.
Let us also look at the second misinterpreted verse where Allah said, “Kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush.” Quran 9:5
This verse was revealed on the same occasion as the first. I shall leave you the verses before and after it and I will let you make your own conclusion.
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.
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].
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.
And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.
NOT A GENERAL RULE
So obviously both of these verses are revealed in the context of war and not as a general rule for the Muslims to follow. These verses are revealed on the context of war, therefore any Muslim is not allowed to kill anyone in times of peace whether they are from other religions but rather, the general rule is that the Muslims must protect the life, religion, property, honor, and intellect of people – Muslims or non-Muslims. These verses should not be used by anyone, Muslims or Non-Muslims to distort the real meaning of Islam. Islam remains and still is the religion of peace.
