04-06-2007, 07:32 PM
Bismillah
as salam alykom
No CC, there is not compulsion in religion, but what is really apparent is that there is much confusion on your side. More than this, you are mixing up issues. You are mixing up the issue of compulsion with interrelation between Muslims and non Muslims.
Thus, in this post Insh a Allah I will only address the first issue which is the compulsion part based on the Ayahs you quoted.
The two Ayahs you quoted actually stress the no compulsion. How can you interepret it as (Believers are warned not to slip into disbelief, and disbelievers are warned to become believers — or else). What is even more important is that u r cutting and posting the Ayahs in a way that shows how much you are either confused or....Allah u a`lam. You need to post the 3 Ayahs consecutively as follows in order to explain the proper meaning.
How can u interpret the second one saying:
There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right (Path of) Guidance has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
257.
Allah is the Protector of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light. But as for those who disbelieve, their Auliya (supporters and helpers) are Taghut [false deities and false leaders, etc.], they bring them out from light into darkness. Those are the dwellers of the Fire, and they will abide therein forever.
The first Ayahs initiates with telling everyone that we have the choice to make and religion shall not be imposed on no one. It is our choice, when this become our choice?? after Allah Allowed us means to distinuguish between, actually the word that is translated here as guidance bears a more comprehensive sense than this. In Arabic the word is Rushd opposite to ghay translated here as wrong path. But the former which is rushd would convey the meaning of rational, sensible, wise, sound, and because of all those descriptions, one who sees this path would cerainly realise the Existence of Allah as introduced through the Messenger. Opposite to the other word which is Ghay, ghay is a derivative of temptation, being tempted to the wrong path.
Thus, we can now say that after Allah Made it clear how to proceed and where to head and go, no one will force no one to embrace the religion. Then Allah Continues to Explain that after making both paths clear and with no compulsion, Allah presents the status of the believers who reject, resent, disapprove believing in taghut that are the idols, other gods than Allah, and only believed in Allah, they succeeded in holding tight to the proper handhold. Then Allah Continues to Explain that one who chooses to believe in Allah and reject other false gods would certainly gain the support of Allah more and more to Bring them into light, in other words to illuminate their paths, their insight. So long as one made a choice to believe in Allah, to come closer to Allah automatically Allah Shall grant the person an improved insight, ability to decide, mental capabilities, ....which is expressed here as taking them from darkness to light. In this regard, the person will be able to realise different things in the universe, realise Allah's multiple signs, shall see how Allah is manifest in each and every step this person makes.
Contrary to the one who makes the opposite choice as explained in the previous Ayah, those who disbelieved and chose to take the taghut as supporters, let the taghut bestow benefit. But what kind of benefit? darkness and darkness. Thus if u take an in depth look into the Ayahs, you will be able to understand that because there is not compulsion in religion, each person shall make a decision as to who is the supporter one is seeking Allah or taghut. However, just to further explain, if u look at the Ayahs, it tells you that Allah Shall Support and Help those who believed with light and insight. This in regard to understanding and staying firm on the correct path. But those who disbelieved shall not be denied their right of sustainenance, protection, provision, as Allah Is the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists which is stated in the previous Ayah: 2: 255. See CC, it does not really help to take Ayahs out of context. Because Allah Is the Ever living Who Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him, you and other disbelievers sleep soundly and not fear that the sky would slam down on them, does not worry about earth not producing plants, dont worry about sea not producing sea food, and and and. Thus, a non believer does enjoy equal rights as the believer in terms of sustainence, provision, protection....and even those who do good, they receive their reward in this life.
As for the Ayah you quoted 18: 29
Sobhan Allah, the Ayahs is soooo clear and proving more and more that we make a choice, based on this choice you shall be destined to whereeven you worded to earn. Now having this declared clearly in Quran which is a manual, a guide. Thus, we cannt claim that we were surprised, or that no one told us about the law. We know the law, but if u choose to break it, violate it, breach it, why would u complain? This is not compulsion, but rather this is the concept of transparency and sound governance, and accountability that the USA and western community is now calling for, advocating for and diffusing around the globe. Allah, 1427 years ago, established this concept Alhamdulelah.
Alhamdulelah who Guided us for this and if it wasnt for Him we would have never been guided.