Perhaps, many of us may have had encounters with a number of posts on social network and different forms of media containing violence, about “some” Muslims extremists beheading individuals as shown on video, burning a person alive, sentencing death to a row of people, etc, which is very disturbing, alarming, an act that’s condemnable. Just the other day, I came across with a video on Facebook displaying an act of literally beheading a Christian with the caption, “Killing in the name of Allah” to this effect. I did not want to see it because I condemn any form of violence but I was compelled to click the video to report it to Facebook. I did not finish watching the post because I could not take it and all that I mentioned was, “Have mercy on us, Lord!”
The
question that may pop up into one’s mind is, does Quran teach such a barbaric
act, which is a behavior not suited to a human with a heart and a conscience but to
individuals who have been formed by wrong sets of values. Nevertheless, I am not singling out this
particular group of Muslims who did it, because regardless of religion whether
Christian or Non-Muslim, violence can be associated to any of these.
Biblical and Quranic narratives have both collections that pertain to stories of love,
compassion, mercy and aggressions but ironically some of these people who read the
Holy Scriptures and Quran emulate not
the good values that these Holy Books are presenting but the bestial models.
Both Christianity and Islam have been
represented by a few who advocate different forms of violence like wars,
terrorism, abortion, premarital sex, same sex union, drug and human
trafficking, pornography, cybersex,
corruption, political killing, etc.
If
Christian is confronted with a question on what made them to commit such
abominable crime, basically they would say that it’s Biblical pointing to the Old
Testament verses which “seemingly” fashioned such terrible violence if taken literally.
In
Christianity, the fact that God ordered the killing of entire nations in
the Old Testament has been the subject of harsh criticism from opponents of
Christianity for some time; that there was violence in the Old Testament which
is beyond doubt. However, this criticism projecting the God of the Old
Testament as a moral monster is not valid.
A
basic knowledge of Canaanite culture uncovers its inherent moral impiety, known
for being atrocious, aggressive people who involved in callousness, incest, and
even child sacrifice. Out of the ordinary sexual acts was the custom. Their
transgression was so nauseating that God said, "Because their land has become defiled, I am punishing it for its
wickedness, by making it vomit out its inhabitants. (Leviticus 18:25)
Nonetheless,
the obliteration was aimed more at the Canaanite religion (Deuteronomy 7:3-5; 12:2-3) than at the Canaanite people
per se. The judgment was not racially motivated.[1]
Individual Canaanites, like Rahab in Jericho, could still observe that mercy
follows repentance (Joshua 2). God's yearning is that the depraved changed direction from their
sin rather than die, when He said, “Cast away from you all the crimes you have
committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you
die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,
says the Lord GOD. Return and live!”
(Ezekiel 18:31-32; 33:11).
Besides
dealing with national sins, God used the Canaan’s invasion to develop a
devout/historical framework in which He could eventually bring in the Messiah
to the world, who would bring deliverance not only to Israel, but also to
Israel’s foes, including Canaan (Psalm 87:4-6; Mark 7:25-30).
It
must be noted that God gave the Canaanite people more than ample time to the penitent wicked- over 400 years (Genesis 15:13-16). The book of Hebrews puts in the picture that the Canaanites were
“defiant,” which implies moral guilt on their part (Hebrews 11:31). The Canaanites were aware of God's power who caught sight of
the drying up of the Red Sea when they
came out of Egypt (Joshua 2:10-11); who personally witnessed God’s intervention who struck the Pharaoh’s country with ten (10) plagues
because of his obstinate heart to liberate the former from captivity (Exodus 7-12) and could have sought atonement. Except in unusual occasions, they
continued their rebellion against God until the resentful end.
Taking into consideration, Pope
Francis would not say that Islam is religion of peace,[2] if it teaches/ promotes terrorism.
On
the other hand, I would personally come across with people on social network
who says that, "Your Quran says to kill all the Jews and Christians which
directly attacks Islam and eventually upsets those who are aware that this is
not absolutely true, which creates division in the process than harmony.
The
Quran charges believers to fight in combat against the tormenters, attackers
and terrorists and beating up and murdering the innocent men, women and
children. However, it gives out clear orders - "not to fight against those who
are not fighting against you."[3]
There is no such meaning in the Quran, ordering or even licensing the Muslims to ever attack blameless people whether they are Christians, Jews, or
any other faith for that matter.
Combat
is only ordered against those assaulting or killing the innocent Muslims or
fighting against the established Muslim state.
The
word used most often in Quran that is frequently mistranslated as kill, slay,
or slaughter is not jihad, it is Qital and looking at the Arabic, one would quickly
understand this word in today's usage clearly as “combat”.
Naturally,
as Muslims, they must stand up for uprightness and make every effort to turn
away from cruelty, violence and oppression. This is the proper usage and comprehension
for this word.
The
verses dealing with this topic are specific and not intended to mean a general
meaning for just anyone to decide to go around combating non-Muslims. The early
Muslims had been expelled of their homes and turned out into the desert to
starve. After finally, relocating in Medina, verses came in Quran ordering them
to make hajj (pilgrimage) back to Makkah. Discovering their way blocked and
after several years of making agreements and treaties that the others repeatedly
breached, the Muslims were at last told that they could now fight in combat against
the tyrants who had so dreadfully treated them violently in the past. Nevertheless,
this would only be acceptable to Allah (God for Christians) if they continued
within very specific constraints. The word "Qital" in Arabic in this
instance refers to "combat" rather than what some have used
"kill" as the word "kill" is far to general, while the word
"combat" suitably depicts what is intended by the usage in this episode.
These
specific verses are not intended to advocate terrorism, but orders from Above
to the Muslims to be the first of those who stand out insistently against all
forms of terrorism and oppression.
Allah/God
instructed believers in the Quran to wage combat against terrorism - 14
centuries (1,400 years) ago. And the
"struggle against oppression, terrorism and tyranny" in the Arabic
language, which is called, "Jihad."
The verse of the Holy Quran is frequently
pointed out to slander Islam. The verse does not say infidels but idolaters: "And when the forbidden months have passed,
kill the idolaters wherever you find them and take them prisoners, and
beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they
repent and observe Prayer and pay the Zakat, then leave their way free."[4] (At-Tabwah, the repentance - Quran 9:5)
Chapter
9 verse is frequently used by critics and extremist Muslims as a proof that
Islam allows killing of non-Muslims, but what is unknown is the context and
history behind these verses, which tells that when Prophet
Muhammad started preaching the unity of God, he was persecuted for 13 years. Since persecuted Muslims are encouraged to leave
for safer areas than creating disorder, Muhammad and his followers migrated
to Medina. After they left, the Meccans attacked them in Medina on and off for
a period of nine years until Chapter 9 was uncovered.
Looking
closely at the context of the verses, it is evident that the commandment of
this verse only relates to those tribes who continued aggressions against the
Muslims even after they had migrated. In particular, reference is made to 5
tribes namely ‘Banu Khuza’ah, Banu Mudlij, Banu Bakr, Banu Damrah, and Banu
Sulaiim who did not honor the treaties they made with Muslims. Likewise it is significant
to take into account that the preceding verses provide these people an interval
of 4 months to reconsider their behavior and terminate aggressions. Unfortunately
after 4 months, the enemies of Islam kept on with their antagonisms against Muslims.
Only then was Prophet Muhammad met them in battle to defend Muslims and Islam.
Even in this situation the Quran asserts that
if the adversaries make an atonement and promise to fulfill their treaties, it
becomes incumbent on Muslims to stop military action and forgive them. Sadly
those who take this particular verse out of context fail to perceive that as
the title Al-Taubah suggests, the core of the subject pertaining
to the chapter is forgiveness and remorse.
In
conclusion, God is sovereign over all of life and can take it at whatever time
He sees fit. God and God alone can give life, and God alone has the right to
take it whenever He so decides. As a matter of fact, He ultimately takes every
person's life at death. It is not everybody’s life to start with but God’s.
While it is wrong for anyone to take a life, this does not mean that it is
wrong for God to do so. God is under no compulsion to extend anyone's life for
even another day; how and when human die is entirely up to Him.
Surely, the issue of God charging violence in the
Old Testament is hard. Nevertheless, one must remember that God perceives
things from a never-ending perspective, as God says, “For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens
are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above
your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9). In his write up, St. Paul
narrates, “ See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those
who fell, but God's kindness to you, provided you remain in his kindness;
otherwise you too will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22). While it is true that God's holy character exacts that sin be
punished, His grace and mercy remain limitless to those who are remorseful and
be saved. The Canaanite annihilation provides a stern reminder that, while our
God is gracious and merciful, He is also a God of holiness and wrath, as the
Scripture says, “For mercy and anger alike are with him; upon the wicked
alights His wrath. (Sirach 5:7)
References:
[1] Catechism of the Catholic Church, St. Charles Borromeo
[2] www.vatican.va , The New American Bible
[3] Juan Cole, Top Ten Ways Islamic Law forbids Terrorism, http://www.juancole.com/2013/04/islamic-forbids-terrorism.html
http://www.gotquestions.org/Old-Testament-violence.html
[5] Philip Pullella, Pope says it is wrong to equate
Islam with violence,
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/30/us-pope-turkey-mideast-idUSKCN0JE0AD20141130
[6]
Sheikh Yusuf Estes , Does Islam Say: "Kill
The Infidels"? http://www.justaskislam.com/32/does-islam-say-kill-the-infidels/
[7] Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Why does the Quran say that infidels should be killed? https://www.alislam.org/egazette/updates/why-does-the-quran-say-that-infidels-should-be-killed/
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