by face value they seemed to suggest that Quran tells Muslims to fight against
non-believers just because they are non-believers. This is the farthest
thing from truth. Had he quoted full verses and not portions of it, it'd
have been clear to everyone that Quran is inviting Muslims to repel an
highly unjust war has been started against them. To be fair, he should also
have quoted verses where Allah categorically tells Muslims not to start a
war or incline towards peace if their opponents desist from attacking.
"Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin
not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not, aggressors.
And kill them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence
they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not
with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you
there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of
unbelivers.
But if they desist, then lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But
if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrongdoers."
(2:191-194)
Then God says:
Say to those who disbelieve that if they cease (from persecution of
believers) that which is past will be forgiven them; but if they return
(thereto) then the example of the men of old hath already gone.
And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is all for Allah.
But if they cease, then lo! Allah is Seer of what they do.. (8:39-41).
And if they incline to peace, incline thou also to it, and trust in Allah.
Lo! He is the Hearer, the Knower.(8:62-63)
Quran on War and Peace:
-----------------------------------
"Sanction is given unto those who fight because they have been wronged; and
Allah is indeed Able to give them victory;
Those who have been driven from their homes unjustly only because they said:
Our Lord is Allah--For had it not been for Allah's repelling some men by
means of others, cloisters (temples) and churches and synagogues and
mosques, wherein the name of God is oft mentioned, would assuredly have been
pulled down. Verily Allah helpeth one who helpeth Him. Lo! Allah is Strong,
Almighty.
Those who, if We give them power in the land, establish worship and pay the
poor due and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity. And Allah's is the sequel
of events." (22:40-42)
This is the only place in Koran where the rules of Warfare are laid down,
that is when to fight and whom to fight. Koran tells his followers only to
fight when the Right of Freedom of Worship is violated. Interestingly, here
it does not make any distinction between Muslims and Non-Muslims -
"cloisters (temples) and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the
name of God is oft mentioned, would assuredly have been pulled down".
So if Christian's right of Freedom of Worship is endangered, it is incumbent
upon Muslims to launch a holy war against it.
Quran on relationship with Non-Muslims:
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Another favorite line of attack. Mr. Anonymous tried to convince people of
this News group that Muslims can not be friends to Christians or other
non-believers. Again he conveniently forgets the general teaching of Islam
regarding such friendship and quotes where the context assumed that
hostilities already exist between two parties. The general teaching of Islam
regarding friendships with non-believers is laid down as follows:
O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your
religion for a mockery or sport whether among those who received the
Scripture before you or among those who reject faith; but fear ye Allah if
ye have Faith (indeed).
O ye who believe! take not My enemies and yours as friends (or protectors)
offering them (your) love even though they have rejected the Truth that has
come to you and have (on the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves
(from your homes) (simply) because ye believe in Allah your Lord! If ye have
come out to strive in My Way and to seek My Good Pleasure (take them not as
friends) holding secret converse of love (and friendship) with them: for I
know full well all that ye conceal and all that ye reveal. And any of you
that does this has strayed from the Straight Path.
***** But you can be friends with those who have not persecuted you or
launched a war against you. Quran says:
Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for (your)
Faith nor drive you out of your homes from dealing kindly and justly with
them: for Allah loveth those who are just.
It may be that Allah will grant love (and friendship) between you and those
whom ye (now) hold as enemies: for Allah has power (over all things); and
Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.
Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith
and drive you out of your homes and support (others) in driving you out from
turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them
(in these circumstances) that do wrong.
Quran on Muslim and Christian relationships:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Quran says:
Nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say:
"We are Christians:" because amongst these are men devoted to learning and
men who have renounced the world and they are not arrogant...
Those who believe (in the Qur'an) and those who follow the Jewish
(Scriptures) and the Christians and the Sabians and who believe in Allah and
the last day and work righteousness shall have their reward with their Lord;
on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve...
Those who believe (in the Qur'an) those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures)
and the Sabians and the Christians any who believe in Allah and the Last Day
and work righteousness on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve
And thou wilt find the nearest of them in affection to those who believe (to
be) those who say: Lo! We are Christians. That is because there are among
them priests and monks, and because they are not proud.
o! those who believe, and those who are Jews, and Sabaeans, and Christians
whosoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right there shall no
fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.