06-21-2006, 10:30 PM
Quote:Bismillah:
first Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means submitting one’s will to Allah. Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah. but sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. for example, we have the police who use force against criminals and anti-social elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force can only be used to promote peace and justice.
i remember now one saying of brother Malcolm X who said:
Also the best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by force or by the sword is given by the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book "Islam at the cross road" (Page 8): he said:
Now which sowrd or force was Islam spread? what force do we use to spread Islam today in USA and Europe? and even if Muslims had the sowrd they could not use it to spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse:
"Let there be <b>no compulsion in religion</b>: Truth stands out clear from error" [Al-Qur’an 2:256]
Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context. In order to understand the context, we need to read from verse 1 of this chapter, It says that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the pagans of Makkah. This treaty was violated by the pagans of Makkah. A period of four months was given to the pagan of Makkah to make amends. Otherwise war would be declared against them. Verse 5 of this chapter says:
"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is oft-forgiving, Most merciful."
[Al-Qur’an 9:5]
This verse is quoted during a battle.
to give you an example, you know that America was once at war with Vietnam. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: <b>"Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them". </b> Today if I say that the American President said, "Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them" without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it <b>during a war, </b> it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war.
Similarly in chapter 9 verse 5 the Qur’an says, "Kill the Mushriqs (pagans) where ever you find them", during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Qur’an is telling Muslim soldiers is, don’t be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemies kill them.
you will always find those who quote this verse of chapter 9 verse 5 after quoting verse 5 they will jumps to verse 7. Any sensible person will realise why they dong mention verse 6, because it gives the answer.
chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says:
<b>"If one amongst the pagans ask thee for asylum,grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure that is because they are men without knowledge."</b>[Al-Qur’an 9:6]
The Qur’an not only says that a pagan seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, <b>but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. </b> In the present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace. <b>But which army General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a battle, don’t just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security? </b>
This is exactly what Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an to promote peace in the world.
Salam
Wael.
Thanks for clearing this up...that is why I asked.