Intolerance in the Quran Since Muhammad was involved in many battles, the Quran has much to do with fighting. But far more numerous than verses encouraging Muslims to fight are verses expressing religious intolerance and Gods hatred and rejection of the nonbeliever. While the later suras tend to be more violent, religious intolerance is sprinkled throughout the Quran. This theme sounds like a recurrent drumbeat throughout the text, and there is no point in trying to list all the verses that express it. They overwhelm even those few verses (and we shall examine the most well known) that appear to promote tolerance. Here are just a few of the intolerant ones - this list is not even close to exhaustive. (Note: the word that Yusuf Ali consistently translates as those who reject faith [kafaru] is translated by most others as those who disbelieve.) Meccan suras: Those who reject Our signs, We shall gradually visit with punishment, in ways they perceive not. (7:182) Say, The truth is from your Lord: Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it): for the wrong-doers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames), like the walls and roof of a tent, will hem them in: if they implore relief they will be granted water like melted brass, that will scald their faces, how dreadful the drink! How uncomfortable a couch to recline on! (18:29) But those who reject (Allah) [Pickthal and others: disbelieve] - for them will be the Fire of Hell: No term shall be determined for them, so they should die, nor shall its Penalty be lightened for them. Thus do We reward every ungrateful one! (35:36) Seest thou not those that dispute concerning the Signs of Allah? How are they turned away (from Reality)? - Those who reject the Book and the (revelations) with which We sent our messengers: but soon shall they know, - When the yokes (shall be) round their necks, and the chains; they shall be dragged along - In the boiling fetid fluid: then in the Fire shall they be burned. (40:69-72) But We will certainly give the Unbelievers a taste of a severe Penalty, and We will requite them for the worst of their deeds. Such is the requital of the enemies of Allah,- the Fire: therein will be for them the Eternal Home: a (fit) requital, for that they were wont to reject Our Signs. (41:27-28) For those who reject [Pickthal: disbelieve] their Lord (and Cherisher) is the Penalty of Hell: and evil is (such) destination. (67:6) Then leave Me alone with such as reject this Message: by degrees shall We punish them from directions they perceive not. (68:44) Verily, We have warned you of a Penalty near, the Day when man will see (the deeds) which his hands have sent forth, and the Unbeliever will say, Woe unto me! Would that I were (mere) dust! (78:040) What then is the matter with them, that they believe not? And when the Quran is read to them, they fall not prostrate, but on the contrary the Unbelievers reject (it). But Allah has full knowledge of what they secrete (in their breasts). So announce to them a Penalty Grievous, except to those who believe and work righteous deeds: for them is a Reward that will never fail. (84:20-25) But if any turn away and reject Allah, [Pickthal: But whoso is averse and disbelieveth] - Allah will punish him with a mighty Punishment. (88: 23-24) Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures. (98:6) Medinan suras: But those who reject Faith and belie Our Signs, they shall be companions of the Fire; they shall abide therein. (2:39) Miserable is the price for which they have sold their souls, in that they deny (the revelation) which Allah has sent down, in insolent envy that Allah of His Grace should send it to any of His servants He pleases: Thus have they drawn on themselves Wrath upon Wrath. And humiliating is the punishment of those who reject Faith. (2:90) (Yea), and such as reject Faith, - for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire, - an evil destination (indeed)! (2:126) Those who reject Faith, and die rejecting, - on them is Allahs curse, and the curse of angels, and of all mankind. They will abide therein: Their penalty will not be lightened, nor will respite be their (lot). (2:161-162) Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the evil ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (For ever). (2:257) Those who reject Faith, - neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah: They are themselves but fuel for the Fire. (3:10) Say to those who reject Faith: Soon will ye be vanquished and gathered together to Hell, - an evil bed indeed (to lie on)! (3:12) As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help. (3:56) If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good). (3:85) As to those who reject Faith, and die rejecting [Pickthal: those who disbelieve, and die in disbelief], - never would be accepted from any such as much gold as the earth contains, though they should offer it for ransom. For such is (in store) a penalty grievous, and they will find no helpers. (3:91) Those who reject Faith, - neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah: They will be companions of the Fire, -dwelling therein (for ever). (3:116) Fear the Fire, which is prepared for those who reject Faith [Pickthal: disbelievers]. (3:131) Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise. (4:56) Those who reject faith and deny our signs [Pickthal: And they who disbelieve and deny Our revelations] will be companions of Hell-fire. (5:10) As to those who reject Faith, - if they had everything on earth, and twice repeated, to give as ransom for the penalty of the Day of Judgment, it would never be accepted of them, theirs would be a grievous penalty. (5:36) But those who reject Faith and belie our Signs, - they shall be companions of Hell-fire. (5:86) And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage, - that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith [Pickthal and others: disbelieve]. (9:3) And for those who reject Faith and deny our Signs, there will be a humiliating Punishment. (22:57) And if any believe not in Allah and His Messenger, We have prepared, for those who reject Allah, a Blazing Fire! (48:13) And those who believe in Allah and His messengers - they are the Sincere (lovers of Truth), and the witnesses (who testify), in the eyes of their Lord: They shall have their Reward and their Light. But those who reject Allah and deny Our Signs, - they are the Companions of Hell-Fire. (57:19) But those who reject Faith and treat Our Signs as falsehoods, they will be Companions of the Fire, to dwell therein for aye: and evil is that Goal. (64:10) Jihad in the Quran We begin our exploration with the Quran, even though it would be more logical to begin with the sirat, or early biographies of Muhammad, since these biographies supply the historical context of the Quran. We begin with the Quran because it is Islams most basic text and most frequently cited source. However, Muslims rightly caution us against quoting verses from the Quran out of context. Therefore we will not simply quote isolated verses but will comment on the context as we go along. Later sections on Muhammads life and teachings will supply further background. Approaching the Quran It is difficult for any non-Muslim to approach the Quran. It is written in a strange and mysterious language, and its organization is bewildering. The suras (or suwar, plural of sura, chapter) are ordered neither by chronology nor by topic, but by length, the longest ones first. The text also frequently alludes to events in the life of Muhammad that are not narrated; one must really know Muhammads biography before one studies the Quran. A non-Muslim also approaches the Quran from the outside, not having learned to regard it as a sacred text. And so non-Muslims and Muslims will see this text very differently. Muslims derive inspiration from it and treat it with reverence. Non-Muslims also should treat it with respect, but may have criticisms coming from their experience of how Muslims have used the Quran and the role this text has played in history. Thus the dilemma of this presentation. How does one talk about the role of the Quran in promoting religious intolerance without encouraging even more religious intolerance? The tension of this question should be kept in mind throughout our discussion. The Quran is a complex document, with many layers of meaning: historical, biographical, pedagogical, aesthetic, and spiritual. We cannot really explore all these layers here. Our task is to consider the message of the Quran regarding other religions, its meaning both in the context of its own time and how it is used in our time. When recited by an expert, the Quran is hauntingly beautiful. Indeed, the authenticity of the Quran has traditionally been demonstrated by challenging any poet to produce more beautiful Arabic verse. Not one has ever succeeded. As a Middle Eastern Jew, I grew up hearing sounds much like the sounds of the Quran, as it is heard now and has been for centuries. The chants I heard in the synagogue, especially during the High Holy Days, sound much like the chanting of the Quran. And so hearing the Quran reminds me of my own roots. I find it deeply moving. Muslims are right to insist there is no substitute for the Quran in its original Arabic. No translation can really convey a sense of its poetry. For example, even the sensitive translation of Michael Sells (1) does not do justice to the rhyming, rhythmic lines of the following sura. To capture any sense of the beauty and music of these words, they must be heard in Arabic: When the sky is torn When the stars are scattered When the seas are poured forth When the tombs are burst open Then a soul will know what it has given And what it has held back Oh, O human being What has deceived you about your generous Lord Who created you and shaped you and made you right In whatever form he willed for you... (82: 1-8) The Quran as written and chanted is a work of great beauty. Ironically, this only makes more incongruous and dreadful the message of intolerance that runs throughout the text. We will need to look at this in some detail. The problem of intolerance in the Quran goes beyond just a few isolated verses. Intolerance is one of its most basic themes. Before continuing, one central premise of our discussion must be stated. It should be possible to criticize Islam without encouraging ill will towards Muslims. Islam is a religion and a set of ideas. Muslims are people. One must never lose that distinction - no matter how many terrorist atrocities are committed in Islams name. It is legitimate to examine the possible role of the Quran and other Islamic sources in encouraging intolerance, but one must never lose sight of the individuality of the people involved. In the previous section we mentioned that militant Islam is as Islamic as any other form of Islam. It is also true that it is not the only Islam. So may the following observations be received as the result of a concerned non-Muslims journey into Islam. They represent the questions and doubts raised in my mind after looking at Islamic sources and Islamic history. I would love to be in contact with moderate Muslims who feel I may be overstating my case, and indeed, would love to establish a true dialogue. I have tried to base everything that follows not on personal opinion but on original sources, on the historical record, and on straightforward logic. Any response to this presentation will have to take all of those into account. Jihad and the Quran Since our topic is jihad, let us begin by looking at the meaning of the word jihad itself. It is usually translated holy war, and is often applied that way, but that is not its literal meaning. Literally, jihad JUST : JIHAD#2 DADI WALUYANTO , SE Allahs uncompromising rejection of the nonbeliever is spread throughout the Quran
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 09:41:09 +0000