The ‘Verse of the
Sword’ is perhaps the most misinterpreted, misunderstood, and misused verse in
the Qur’an. Islamophobes use it an as an excuse to label Islam a violent
religion while extremists justify their terrorism with it.
Verses in the Qur’an were revealed in various time periods,
and thus form a part of history. Any person who knows history knows that you
can’t extract a bit of information from it and form your own conclusions
without taking the situation at that time into account. (Philips)
In order to reach the correct understanding of the verse, we
need to understand it in light of its textual and historical context.
In the year 6AH the Prophet struck the treaty of Hudaibiyah
with the Quraish. During this time there were two Arab tribes that had a lot of
tension between them, namely the Banu Khuza’a and the Banu Bakr. The former
joined the side of the Muslims whereas the latter joined the Quraish. Having
the Quraish on their side, the Banu Bakr pre-planned a conflict between them
and Banu Khuza’a, hoping to use it as an excuse to settle some old scores, and
as a result many members of the Banu Khuza’a were killed. The Quraish were not
just aware of Banu Bakrs intentions, but went as far as supplying them with
ammunition.
When the news reached the Prophet, he sent a delegation to
the Quraish giving them three options: Either they should break ties with Banu
Bakr and let the Muslims deal with them, or Muslims should kill the same amount
of men that were killed from Banu Khuz’a’, or the Quraish pay compensation for
the murders. The Quraish rejected all three options and the treaty of Hudaibiya
was thus annulled.
Around two years after that, on the 8th year
after the Hijrah, the Muslims conquered Makkah. This marked the beginning of
the end of polytheism in the Arabian Peninsula. The Prophet promised Banu
Khuz’a’ that appropriate action would be taken. (Baloch)
The revelation of verses in Surah Tawbah occurred in the 9th
year after the Hijrah. It was Hajj time and the Prophet sent Abu Bakr along
with a group of 300 Muslims and 25 sacrificial animals to perform Hajj. He
himself did not wish to go as the pagans still performed Tawaf in a naked state
and didn’t want to associate himself with them.
Within a few hours after Abu Bakr had left, Allah revealed
the first 6 verses of Surah Tawbah, directed to the pagans in Arabia. The
Prophet ordered Ali to take these verses to Abu Bakr and announce them to the
people during Hajj. (Qadhi)
At that time in Makkah, there were four types of
Polytheists:
a) Polytheists who had an unconditional peace
treaty with the Muslims (No specified time limit)
b) Polytheists whom the Muslims had no treaty at
all with
c) Polytheists who had a conditional peace treaty
with the Muslims (with a specified time frame)
d) The polytheists who broke the treaty of
Hudaibiyah (Ibn AlQayyim 342)
The verses address each group, and the contents are as
follows:
Freedom from (all)
obligations (is declared) from Allah and His Messenger (SAW) to those of the
Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of
Allah), with whom you made a treaty (Quran
9:1).
This is a very powerful verse. Allah is declaring
disassociation and cuts off all ties and treaties between Him and the
polytheists.
So travel freely (O Mushrikun) for four months
(as you will) throughout the land, but know that you cannot escape (from the
Punishment of) Allah, and Allah will disgrace the disbelievers (Quran 9:2).
Before breaking a contract, one usually informs the person
in advance and supplies a time clause. Allah gives the polytheists a four month
period to do whatever they want in the land before the annulment of all peace
treaties.
And a declaration from
Allah and His Messenger to mankind on the greatest day (the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah
- the 12th month of Islamic calendar) that Allah is free from (all) obligations
to the Mushrikun and so is His Messenger. So if you (Mushrikun) repent, it is
better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape (from
the Punishment of) Allah. And give tidings (O Muhammad SAW) of a painful
torment to those who disbelieve (Quran 9:3).
These first three verses deal with the first two types of
polytheists.
Except those of the Mushrikun
with whom you have a treaty, and who have not subsequently failed you in aught,
nor have supported anyone against you. So fulfill their treaty to them to the
end of their term. Surely Allah loves Al- Mattaqun (Quran 9:4).
Allah then makes an exception in this verse. He ordered the
Muslims to uphold the close-ended treaties whose time frame surpassed the four
month period. This shows us the complete justice of our religion. All of them
ended up embracing Islam and did not remain disbelievers until the end of that
time period.
Then when the Sacred Months
have passed, then kill the Mushrikun wherever you find them, and capture them
and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they
repent and perform As-Salat, and give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily,
Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (Quran
9:5).
This verse is what is known as the “Verse of the Sword” and
is one of the most controversial verses amongst non-Muslims.
Allah gave respite to the polytheists who had violated the
treaty of Hudaibiya for four months. After the passing of these four months,
they were commanded to leave or the Prophet would fight them. It truly is beautiful to note that even
after all their crimes, Allah opened the door of repentance. He stipulated that
if these polytheists repent, they should be allowed free passage in the land.
It’s also important to highlight that not a single life was
lost due to this verse. It was an effective threat, in which Allah eliminated
all traces of idol worship in the Arabian Peninsula.
If you ponder over this verse you will find that there is in
fact a great mercy in it. This is indeed quite ironic, when we contrast it to
the more commonly known false references of ‘brutality’ and ‘violence’.
But the mercy of Allah has no limits, and we see a further
extension of it in the following verse:
And if any one of the
polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may
hear the words of Allah . Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is
because they are a people who do not know. (Quran 9:6)
Through pondering over the historical context as well as the
verses which precede and follow the verse of the sword, it becomes very clear
that the order of killing is limited, and does not extend to every disbeliever
on the face of this earth.
Works Cited
Baloch, Haroon. “Explanation
of Verse 5 of Surah Taubah (Chapter 9)” haroonbaloch.blogspot.com
2.February.2007 Web 1.July.2015
Ibn AlQayyim, Provisions for the Hereafter Ed.
Muhammed ibn AbdulWahhab Darussalam 2003
Phillips, Bilal. “The
context of Jihad by the Sword” Online Video Clip. You Tube. 21.January.2015 Web 1.July.2015
Qadhi, Yasir “Seerah of
Prophet Muhammed 99 – Verse of Sword & Hajj of Abu Bakr” Online Video Clip,
You Tube 10. December.
2015 Web 1.July.2015
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