TWO FACES OF ISLAM
The Two Faces of Islam
This article has been sourced from http://www.fatherzakaria.net/
.........Based on this premise, Bin Laden, the Taliban and the Philippines Muslim group Abu Saiaf, among others, have openly declared war against the United States of America in the name of Islam, using quotations from the Quran such as:
‘And those of the people of the Book (Jews & Christians) who aided them (the unbelievers), Allah (God) did take them down from their strongholds. And cast terror into their hearts, so that some ye slew, and some ye made prisoners. And He made you heirs of their lands, their houses, and their goods’ (Surah Al Ahzab 33:26 and 27)
(سورة الأحزاب آيات 26و27)وأنزل الذين ظاهروهم (إي الذين كفروا) من أهل الكتاب من صياصيهم (حصونهم) وقذف في قلوبهم الرعب فريقا تقتلون وتأسرون فريقا. وأورثكم أرضهم وديارهم وأموالهم وأرضا لم تطأها وكان الله على كل شيء قديرا]
Many are then confused; is Islam is a religion of violence, or one of peace?
When we actually study the book of Islam, the Quran, we discover that Islam has two faces. Each of these face represents a certain stage of Mohammed’s character: one in Mecca, and the other in Medina.
THE FIRST FACE OF ISLAM
Mohammed’s character in Mecca
In Mecca, where Mohammed started his new religion in the year 610 A.D, he was not yet strong. To be accepted by all people, he presented a peaceful and loving picture of Islam, avoiding any mention of violence, and here are some quotations from the Quran about that first stage:
1. Mohammed was told to be patient with his opponents in Surah Al Muzzammil (73:10) ‘And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity)’
+سورة المزمل (73: 10) "واصبر على ما يقولون واهجرهم هجرا جميلا"
2. Mohammed was told not to impose Islam by force in Surah Al baqarah (2: 256) ‘Let there be no compulsion in religion’
+سورة البقرة (2: 256) "لا إكراه في الدين"
3. Mohammed was told to speak pleasantly to ‘people of the Book’ (Christians and Jews) in Surah Al Ankabut (29:45) ‘And dispute ye not with the people of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation) … but say: we believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and that which came down to you; Our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)’
+ سورة العنكبوت (29: 46) "ولا تجادلوا أهل الكتاب إلا بالتي هي أحسن ... وقولوا آمنا بالذي أنزل إلينا وأنزل إليكم وإلهنا وإلهكم واحد ونحن له مسلمون"
THE SECOND FACE OF ISLAM
Mohammed’s character in Medina
After Mohammed moved to Medina in the year 622 AD and his followers grew in strength and number, he became a relentless warrior, intent on spreading his religion by the sword, and this is the message that now lives on. Here is some evidence from Quran of this stage:
1. He claimed that God told him to kill his opponents in Surah Al baqarah (2:191) ‘And slay them wherever ye catch them …’
+ سورة البقرة (2: 191) "واقتلوهم حيث ثقفتموهم (وجدتموهم) ..."
Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “This passage is illustrated by the events that happened at Hudaybiyyah [a battle] in the six year of the Hijrah [exodus of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina]. The Muslims were by this time a strong and influential community”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P77).
2. He claimed that God told him to kill whoever rejects Islam in Surah Al Baqara (2:193) ‘And fight them on until there is no tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Alla …’
+ سورة البقرة (2: 193) "وقاتلوهم حتى لا تكون فتنة ويكون الدين لله ..."
Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “Islam will not acquiesce in wrong doing, and its men will hold their lives cheap in defence of honour,and the religion which they hold sacred. They believe in courage, obedience… and a constant striving by all means in their power… They will not flinch from war if their houner,demands it and a righteous Imam commands it” (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P77).
3. He claimed that God told him to fight the ‘people of the Book’ (Christians & Jews) in Surah Al Tawba (2:29) ‘Fight those who believe not in Alla and the Last Day … nor acknowledge the religion of truth (Islam) from among the People of the Book until they pay the Jizyah (tax) with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued …’
+ سورة التوبة (2: 29) “قاتلوا الذين لا يؤمنون بالله واليوم الآخر ... ولا يدينون دين الحق من الذين أوتوا الكتاب (أي النصارى واليهود) حتى يعطوا الجزية وهم صاغرون ...”
Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “A straight fight in the cause of right; go forth bravely to strive and struggle, and prove yourselves worthy of Alla”
(The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.446).
4- (Surah Al Tawbah 9: 12) “… Fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith [infidel] …”
(سورة التوبة 9: 12) "... فقاتلوا أئمة الكفر إنهم لا أيمان لهم لعلهم ينتهون"
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying,”The catalogue of their sins being set out, it is cleare that they were aggressors in the worst possible ways; and war became inevitable”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.440).
5- (Surah Al Tawbah 9: 14) “Fight them and Alla will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you to victory over them, Heal the breasts of Believers”
(سورة التوبة 9: 14) "قاتلوهم يعذبهم الله بأيديكم ويخزهم وينصركم عليهم ويشف صدور قوم مؤمنين"
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying,”When Alla’s Law is stablished, the fire of indignation is quelled, and the true Peace of Islam is attained” (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.441).
6- (Surah Al Tawbah 9: 123) “O ye who believe fight the unbelievers who gird you about. And let them find firmness in you and know that Alla is with those who fear Him”
(سورة التوبة 9: 123) "يا أيها الذين آمنوا قاتلوا الذين يلونكم من الكفار وليجدوا فيكم غلظة واعلموا أن الله مع المتقين"
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying,”When conflict becomes inevitable, the first thing is to clear our surroundings of all evil…To evil we must put up a stout and stif resistance” (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.475).
7- (Sura Al Anfal 8: 65) “O Prophet rouse the Believers to the fight. If there are twenty amongst you, patint and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred: if a hundred they will vanquish a thousand of the Unbelievers: for these are a people without understanding”
(سورة الأنفال 8: 65) "يا أيها النبي حرض المؤمنين على القتال إن يكن منكم عشرون صابرون يغلبوا مائتين وإن يكن منكم مائة يغلبوا ألفا من الذين كفروا بأنهم قوم لا يفقهون"
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “In a fight … the men of faith do not daunt. Whether they personally win or die, their cause prevails. They are sure to win: because (1) they have divine aid, and (2) even humanly speaking, those who take up arms against truth are fools, and their seeming power is but a broken reed”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.431).
He adds,” Jihad (Holy war) is fought under strict conditions laid down by Islam, and glory for the cause of Alla”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.431).
8- (Surah Al Baqara 2: 216) “Fighting is prescribed upon you …”
(سورة البقرة 2: 216) "كتب عليكم القتال ..."
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “To fight in the cause of truth is one of the highest forms of charity”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.86).
Notice: Fight is a form of charity, in Islam!!!
9- (Surah Al Anfal 8:60) “Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts) of the enemies of Alla and your enemies …”
(سورة الأنفال 8: 60) "وأعدوا لهم ما استطعتم من قوة ومن رباط الخيل ترهبون به عدو الله وعدوكم ..."
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “In every fight arm yourself with the best weapons and the best arms against your enemy, so as to instil wholesome respect into him for you and the cause you stand for”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.429).
.........Based on this premise, Bin Laden, the Taliban and the Philippines Muslim group Abu Saiaf, among others, have openly declared war against the United States of America in the name of Islam, using quotations from the Quran such as:
‘And those of the people of the Book (Jews & Christians) who aided them (the unbelievers), Allah (God) did take them down from their strongholds. And cast terror into their hearts, so that some ye slew, and some ye made prisoners. And He made you heirs of their lands, their houses, and their goods’ (Surah Al Ahzab 33:26 and 27)
(سورة الأحزاب آيات 26و27)وأنزل الذين ظاهروهم (إي الذين كفروا) من أهل الكتاب من صياصيهم (حصونهم) وقذف في قلوبهم الرعب فريقا تقتلون وتأسرون فريقا. وأورثكم أرضهم وديارهم وأموالهم وأرضا لم تطأها وكان الله على كل شيء قديرا]
Many are then confused; is Islam is a religion of violence, or one of peace?
When we actually study the book of Islam, the Quran, we discover that Islam has two faces. Each of these face represents a certain stage of Mohammed’s character: one in Mecca, and the other in Medina.
THE FIRST FACE OF ISLAM
Mohammed’s character in Mecca
In Mecca, where Mohammed started his new religion in the year 610 A.D, he was not yet strong. To be accepted by all people, he presented a peaceful and loving picture of Islam, avoiding any mention of violence, and here are some quotations from the Quran about that first stage:
1. Mohammed was told to be patient with his opponents in Surah Al Muzzammil (73:10) ‘And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity)’
+سورة المزمل (73: 10) "واصبر على ما يقولون واهجرهم هجرا جميلا"
2. Mohammed was told not to impose Islam by force in Surah Al baqarah (2: 256) ‘Let there be no compulsion in religion’
+سورة البقرة (2: 256) "لا إكراه في الدين"
3. Mohammed was told to speak pleasantly to ‘people of the Book’ (Christians and Jews) in Surah Al Ankabut (29:45) ‘And dispute ye not with the people of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation) … but say: we believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and that which came down to you; Our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)’
+ سورة العنكبوت (29: 46) "ولا تجادلوا أهل الكتاب إلا بالتي هي أحسن ... وقولوا آمنا بالذي أنزل إلينا وأنزل إليكم وإلهنا وإلهكم واحد ونحن له مسلمون"
THE SECOND FACE OF ISLAM
Mohammed’s character in Medina
After Mohammed moved to Medina in the year 622 AD and his followers grew in strength and number, he became a relentless warrior, intent on spreading his religion by the sword, and this is the message that now lives on. Here is some evidence from Quran of this stage:
1. He claimed that God told him to kill his opponents in Surah Al baqarah (2:191) ‘And slay them wherever ye catch them …’
+ سورة البقرة (2: 191) "واقتلوهم حيث ثقفتموهم (وجدتموهم) ..."
Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “This passage is illustrated by the events that happened at Hudaybiyyah [a battle] in the six year of the Hijrah [exodus of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina]. The Muslims were by this time a strong and influential community”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P77).
2. He claimed that God told him to kill whoever rejects Islam in Surah Al Baqara (2:193) ‘And fight them on until there is no tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Alla …’
+ سورة البقرة (2: 193) "وقاتلوهم حتى لا تكون فتنة ويكون الدين لله ..."
Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “Islam will not acquiesce in wrong doing, and its men will hold their lives cheap in defence of honour,and the religion which they hold sacred. They believe in courage, obedience… and a constant striving by all means in their power… They will not flinch from war if their houner,demands it and a righteous Imam commands it” (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P77).
3. He claimed that God told him to fight the ‘people of the Book’ (Christians & Jews) in Surah Al Tawba (2:29) ‘Fight those who believe not in Alla and the Last Day … nor acknowledge the religion of truth (Islam) from among the People of the Book until they pay the Jizyah (tax) with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued …’
+ سورة التوبة (2: 29) “قاتلوا الذين لا يؤمنون بالله واليوم الآخر ... ولا يدينون دين الحق من الذين أوتوا الكتاب (أي النصارى واليهود) حتى يعطوا الجزية وهم صاغرون ...”
Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “A straight fight in the cause of right; go forth bravely to strive and struggle, and prove yourselves worthy of Alla”
(The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.446).
4- (Surah Al Tawbah 9: 12) “… Fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith [infidel] …”
(سورة التوبة 9: 12) "... فقاتلوا أئمة الكفر إنهم لا أيمان لهم لعلهم ينتهون"
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying,”The catalogue of their sins being set out, it is cleare that they were aggressors in the worst possible ways; and war became inevitable”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.440).
5- (Surah Al Tawbah 9: 14) “Fight them and Alla will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you to victory over them, Heal the breasts of Believers”
(سورة التوبة 9: 14) "قاتلوهم يعذبهم الله بأيديكم ويخزهم وينصركم عليهم ويشف صدور قوم مؤمنين"
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying,”When Alla’s Law is stablished, the fire of indignation is quelled, and the true Peace of Islam is attained” (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.441).
6- (Surah Al Tawbah 9: 123) “O ye who believe fight the unbelievers who gird you about. And let them find firmness in you and know that Alla is with those who fear Him”
(سورة التوبة 9: 123) "يا أيها الذين آمنوا قاتلوا الذين يلونكم من الكفار وليجدوا فيكم غلظة واعلموا أن الله مع المتقين"
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying,”When conflict becomes inevitable, the first thing is to clear our surroundings of all evil…To evil we must put up a stout and stif resistance” (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.475).
7- (Sura Al Anfal 8: 65) “O Prophet rouse the Believers to the fight. If there are twenty amongst you, patint and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred: if a hundred they will vanquish a thousand of the Unbelievers: for these are a people without understanding”
(سورة الأنفال 8: 65) "يا أيها النبي حرض المؤمنين على القتال إن يكن منكم عشرون صابرون يغلبوا مائتين وإن يكن منكم مائة يغلبوا ألفا من الذين كفروا بأنهم قوم لا يفقهون"
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “In a fight … the men of faith do not daunt. Whether they personally win or die, their cause prevails. They are sure to win: because (1) they have divine aid, and (2) even humanly speaking, those who take up arms against truth are fools, and their seeming power is but a broken reed”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.431).
He adds,” Jihad (Holy war) is fought under strict conditions laid down by Islam, and glory for the cause of Alla”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.431).
8- (Surah Al Baqara 2: 216) “Fighting is prescribed upon you …”
(سورة البقرة 2: 216) "كتب عليكم القتال ..."
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “To fight in the cause of truth is one of the highest forms of charity”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.86).
Notice: Fight is a form of charity, in Islam!!!
9- (Surah Al Anfal 8:60) “Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts) of the enemies of Alla and your enemies …”
(سورة الأنفال 8: 60) "وأعدوا لهم ما استطعتم من قوة ومن رباط الخيل ترهبون به عدو الله وعدوكم ..."
* Imam Abdullah Yusuf Ali, comments on this verse saying, “In every fight arm yourself with the best weapons and the best arms against your enemy, so as to instil wholesome respect into him for you and the cause you stand for”. (The Meaning of the Holy Quran P.429).