By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam
14 March 2018
If
there is anything in this world that we can term as the biggest source
of terrorism, it is misuse of war-related verses of the Quran and
Sunnah, as not only does it lead to killing innocent civilians but also
establishing a ground for youth to become terrorists and defame Islam.
Muslim Ulema [plural of Alim], therefore, need to interpret these verses
in modern context, explaining how these terrorists are harming Islam,
Muslims, non-Muslims, their countries and interests. I do not consider
myself ‘Alim’ but as a student of Islam, I am humbly trying to present
an enlightening commentary on the war-related verses, maintaining the
accepted methodological approach to interpreting the Quran. In the
previous two parts, we commented on two verses 2:190 and 22:39. In this
part, we will discuss the verse of Surah Nisa 4:89, which is also
oft-quoted mistakenly by the radical groups for brainwashing the youth
and committing terrorist crimes.
Allah Almighty says,
4:89:
“They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and
thus that you all become equal (like one another). So take not Auliya'
(protectors or friends) from them, till they emigrate in the Way of
Allah (to Muhammad peace be upon him). But if they turn back, take
(hold) of them and kill them wherever you find them, and take neither
Auliya' (protectors or friends) nor helpers from them.”
In
order to better understand this verse, it is essential to identify
those people who have been referred to in this verse. Why the Quran
commanded to kill those people? It is also as much necessary to know how
come the holy Quran be unjust, while it asks the believers to accept
the peace proposal of disbelievers [8:61], fight only against those who
oppress people [42:42] uphold justice and kindness [16:90] prefer
forgiveness as an option against retaliation [42:40/16:126-128] and
which considers killing of one person tantamount to that of all mankind
[5:32]? Such are the questions need to be taken into mind, prior to
moving forward.
To
understand the motif of the verse 4:89 in its entirety, let us now read
it along with its both preceding and succeeding verses and we can then
find out all answers to the above questions. Allah Almighty says,
4:88:
“Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties
about the hypocrites? Allah has cast them back (to disbelief) because
of what they have earned. Do you want to guide him whom Allah has made
to go astray? And he whom Allah has made to go astray, you will never
find for him any way (of guidance).”
4:89:
“They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and
thus that you all become equal (like one another). So take not Auliya'
(protectors or friends) from them, till they emigrate in the Way of
Allah (to Muhammad peace be upon him). But if they turn back (from
Islam), take (hold) of them and kill them wherever you find them, and
take neither Auliya' (protectors or friends) nor helpers from them.”
4:90:
“Except those who join a group, between you and whom there is a treaty
(of peace), or those who approach you with their breasts restraining
from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. Had Allah
willed, indeed He would have given them power over you, and they would
have fought you. So if they withdraw from you, and fight not against
you, and offer you peace, then Allah has opened no way for you against
them.”
Reason for Revelation of the Verse 4:89
This verse is not difficult to understand, especially after reading its reason for revelation [Shan e Nuzul]. According to ‘Ruh ul Bayan’,
a famous and widely-accepted classical book of Tafsir, this verse was
revealed concerning those hypocrites who did not find the existing
conditions in Madina to their liking but left with the holy Prophet
(peace be upon him) to participate in the Battle of Badr. On the way
they deserted Muslims and went to Makkah in order to join the ranks of
the polytheists. There was a difference of opinion amongst the Muslims
concerning this group, whether they are hypocrites or as clear infidels,
and at an opportune moment, [that is, during fighting] should they be
put to death for their treachery or not. In response to this question
the above verse was revealed. Hence there is no inconsistency, with
regard to the contents of this verse. (Tafsir Ruh ul Bayan)
According
to the report mentioned in the book of Tafsir “Ruh ul Ma’ani”, this
verse refers to those people who emigrated from Makkah to Madinah and
then turned apostates. They requested the beloved prophet [peace be upon
him] for permission to return to Makkah, so that they may gather their
trading stock and resume business. The Muslims were divided about these
people. Some called them hypocrites while others considered them to be
Muslims. To resolve their division, Allah revealed the above verse,
exposing their hypocrisy and ordering their execution.
According
to Hadrat Dhahhak, the verse refers to those people who remained in
Makkah. Although they claimed to be Muslims, they did not migrate.
Consequently, the Muslims were divided about them. Some considered them
to be hypocrites and severed all ties with them. Others maintained their
relationship with them. The verse was then revealed to clear the
dispute and instructed the Muslims not to associate with them until they
migrate.
Having
reported these two narrations, the author of ‘Ruh ul Ma’ani’ records
the following narration of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Nasai and Ahmad.
It is reported that when the Muslims were marching towards Uhud, a group
of hypocrites [Munafiqin] turned back. The Muslims were divided about
their condition. Some wanted them killed, while others did not. The
above verse was revealed on this occasion, in which Allah says, “Then
what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about
the hypocrites? Allah has cast them back (to disbelief) because of what
they have earned. Do you want to guide him whom Allah has made to go
astray? And he whom Allah has made to go astray, you will never find for
him any way (of guidance” (4:88)
Thereafter,
Allah makes mention of the evil schemes of the hypocrites (Munafiqin).
Allah says, “They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected
(Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another). So take
not Auliya' (protectors or friends) from them, till they emigrate in the
Way of Allah (to Muhammad peace be upon him). But if they turn back
(from Islam), take (hold) of them and kill them wherever you find them,
and take neither Auliya' (protectors or friends) nor helpers from them.”
(4:89)
.....
“But if they turn back (from Islam), take (hold) of them and kill them
wherever you find them....” When considering all the three verses
together, it becomes clear that the verses referred to all three types
of hypocrites mentioned in the above three narrations. However the
execution order did not apply to all of them because the hypocrites of
Madinah were not executed.
The
order for execution and separation applied to all the hypocrites
(Munafiqin) “Except those who join a group, between you and whom there
is a treaty (of peace).” [Anwarul Bayan]
Excluded
from the instruction of execution are also those who “approach you with
their breasts restraining from fighting you as well as fighting their
own people. Had Allah willed, indeed He would have given them power over
you, and they would have fought you. So if they withdraw from you, and
fight not against you, and offer you peace, then Allah has opened no way
for you against them.” This means that, in this case, the Muslims are
not allowed to fight them.
The
aforementioned three verses guided the Arabian Muslims of the early
period of Islam not to be divided into two groups about the Arabian
hypocrites. These verses signified that these hypocrites, because of
their misdeeds, were deprived of blessing of guidance. They were those
people who hypocritically pretended to be the followers of Islam and
friends of Muslims, but inwardly hated and wanted the then Muslims to
reject their faith. Some of these hypocrites used to support the Arabian
oppressors in war and propaganda against the Muslims. It was therefore
God Almighty commanded the Muslims to fight and kill such destructive
hypocrites, if they were found in the state of war. Fighting was allowed
against those hypocrites who turned oppressors by supporting the Makkan
oppressors and not against those hypocrites who joined the group with
peace-treaty and restrained from fighting.
In
today’s context, when Muslims and non-Muslims including hypocrites are
living peacefully, these verses (4:88-90) can’t be applied. It is not an
individual’s duty to decide as to who are hypocrites. In the case of
the early period of Islam, when the Muslims who were holy companions
[Sahaba] were not all sure as to who were then hypocrites and who were
not, how come today’s common Muslims categorically call others
‘hypocrites’? Even if we hear some of today’s scholars calling someone
‘hypocrite’, how can one make justification for killing him, while he is
living in the state of peace or peace-treaty? The first mistake of
today’s radical groups is their applying the war-related verse 4:89 to
today’s peaceful environment, in order to kill those who, according to
them, are non-Muslims or ‘hypocrite Muslims’, while their second mistake
is their intentionally ignoring the next verse 4:90 which says, “those
who join a group, between you and whom there is a treaty (of peace), or
those who approach you with their breasts restraining from fighting
you..” should not be killed. The last part of the same verse again and
emphatically says, “So if they [hypocrites] withdraw from you, and fight
not against you, and offer you peace, then Allah has opened no way for
you against them.” [4:90] In short the misuse of war-related verse 4:89
by terrorist ideologues is categorically a great crime, for which they
shall have to be accountable on the Day of Judgment.
A
regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is
an Alim and Fazil (Classical Islamic scholar) with a Sufi background and
English-Arabic-Urdu Translator.
Part Two of the Article:
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism
7:18 PM
Moderate Islamist here
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