The Jihad verse (Al-Baqara 216)

This is a sub-article to Al-Baqara.

The 216 verse of Al-Baqara is about Jihad in Allah way.[1]

Introduction

Certain ayahs (verses) from the Qur'an have been a subject of controversy by many critics of Islam over the years, and so has been Islam on the whole. (See Criticism of Islam).

Verse number 216 of Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow) is often mistranslated or used on its own out of context in an attempt to attack Islam or its followers.[2][3]

Interpretation of the Verse from the Qur'an

Arabic Quotation

The verse in the Arabic Qur'an reads

“

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

”

Translations and commentary

“ Jihâd (holy fighting in Allâh's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows but you do not know. ”
“ Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But God knoweth, and ye know not.. ”
“ To fight in the cause of Truth is one of the highest forms of charity. What can you offer that is more precious than your own life? But here again the limitations come in. If you are a mere brawler, or a selfish aggressive person, or a vainglorious bully, you deserve the highest censure ”

[4]

Criticisms and response

Some quote Al-Baqara 216 as proof of Islam's intention to Jihad. Claiming such a verse evidently proves an Islamic plot for world domination.[1][5][6]

Explaining the context of this verse, Qur'anic scholars have commented on the historical context of this verse, as well as the overall context of this verse, in which fighting is only ordained in conditions of persecution. Consequently, Muslims are required to defend themselves from oppression to establish justice.

“ The intolerance and persecution of the Pagan clique at Mecca caused untold hardships to the holy Messenger of Islam and his early disciples. They bore all with meekness and long-suffering patience until the holy one permitted them to take up arms in self-defence… ”
“ Persecuted, harassed, afflicted, poverty-ridden, exiled, and small in number as the Muslims were at the time of the enactment of warfare, it was but natural that they were none too fond of crossing swords with the mighty forces that had conspired for their extirpation. Nothing short of express and emphatic Divine Command could urge them on to the field of battle [in order to defend their rights]. And yet the Islamic jihads are declared to be ‘designed by the Prophet to satisfy his discontented adherents by an accession of plunder!’ (Margoliouth). Such is this European scholar’s love of veracity! Such is his wonderful reading of history! ”

[7]

Further reading

See also

References

  1. 1 2 KNOL http://knol.google.com/k/jihad-is-ordained-quran-2-216#
  2. ↑ Q News Magazine Iss. 22,fundamentalism, p.8 p9/10 'Islam and the Internet' / sub-art FAQ
  3. ↑ Islamophobia: The Challenge of Pluralism in the 21st Century: Combatting myth through progressive education
  4. ↑ The Holy Qur'an, Text, Translation and Commentary
  5. ↑ http://www.muslimfact.com/bm/misc-articles-about-islam-and-terror/jihad-the-sixth-deadly-pillar-of-islam.shtml
  6. ↑ http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/023-violence.htm
  7. ↑ The Glorious Qur'an Majid Daryabadi
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