..., so (do) not wrong therein your nafs. ... [Al-Quran 9:36]
... He has commanded that you worship not except Him. ... [Al-Quran 12:40]
... No change should there be in the creation of Allah ... [Al-Quran 30:30]
... He has commanded that you worship not except Him. ... [Al-Quran 12:40]
... No change should there be in the creation of Allah ... [Al-Quran 30:30]
Abstract
Abraham had announced the pilgrimage to mankind. The four sacred months have been well-known since ancient times and are dedicated for the safe passage of the pilgrims. In Prophet Moses' narrative in The Quran, we find references to the Hajj, Qibla and a war which the people refused to fight. Prophet Muhammad emigrated from Makkah, and then returned to purify the Kaaba and the Masjid al-Haraam, establishing the true Deen over all other deens. It is expected that Prophet Jesus will return during end times for the final war.
The Bible informs us that Goliath (Jalut) was a giant. Corruption on Earth is a topic introduced early on in the surah (Q2:11-12). Q30:30 informs us of the standing law of recompense (الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ) that there should be no change in the creation of Allah, especially humans.
From the mission of Prophet Muhammad, and the examples of Bani Israel mentioned in The Quran, there were times when the Believers were asked to endure and keep peace, and situations in which fighting was divinely ordained. Even during battle, there were rules. Among them, we learn about the sanctity of the life of a Believer.
Surah al-Maidah begins with the command to fulfil the contracts, and reminds of the ratified covenant taken from the Bani Israel to assist the Messengers of Allah and that the Messenger of Allah, whom they had been waiting for, has come after a break in the series of Messengers! We then read about their earlier unwillingness to fight in the cause of Allah with their Messenger Moses. The narrative continues with a reminder of the two sons of Adam, and one of them killing the other out of envy, while the other didn't even defend himself from his brother's violence! In that backdrop of (i) reluctance to fight in the cause of Allah, (ii) reluctance to fight out of fear of Allah, we read about the commandment to Bani Israel about saving a nafs or killing it. The next ayat declares the recompense for waging war against Allah and His Messenger.
Surah al-Hajj reminds us that Abraham was charged with purifying the House and announcing the Hajj. It clarifies who the permission to fight is given to and why. The Secure Sanctuary is Allah keeping His Promise to Abraham ever since He accepted his prayer! Surah al-Fath cites a practical example of the sanctity of the life of the Believers, explaining why Makkah was secured by Messenger Muhammad and his companions without any bloodshed.
The three laws defined in Q9:36, Q12:40 and Q30:30 seems to overarch and interlink all the directives for prayer, worship, pilgrimage and fighting for the cause of Allah.
Full Text
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
Indeed, (the) number (of) the months with Allah (is) twelve months in (the) ordinance (of) Allah (from the) Day He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four (are) sacred. That (is) the religion the upright, so (do) not wrong therein yourselves nafs. And fight the polytheists all together, as they fight you all together. And know that Allah (is) with the righteous.
[Al-Quran 9:36; Translation edited in italics]
Surah at-Taubah begins with a notice of war, four months in advance, from Allah and His Messenger to the polytheistic State of Makkah. Al-Masjid Al-Haraam is located in Makkah and in its centre is the Kaaba. Millenniums earlier, Prophets Abraham and Ishmael were given the task of purifying it for the worshippers. Now, thousands of years later, their descendant Prophet Muhammad, the messenger whom Abraham had prayed for (Q2:129), is to return to Makkah and purify it again. This war is declared after two decades of preaching, emigrating, fighting defensive wars, and entering into treaties.
Abraham had announced the pilgrimage to mankind. The four sacred months have been well-known since ancient times and are dedicated for the safe passage of the pilgrims. Fighting in the four sacred months is forbidden, unless it is a defensive war. Reading Q9:36, quoted above, in context:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَبُوا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَـٰذَا ۚ وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ عَيْلَةً فَسَوْفَ يُغْنِيكُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ إِن شَاءَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
قَاتِلُوا الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلَا بِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَلَا يُحَرِّمُونَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَلَا يَدِينُونَ دِينَ الْحَقِّ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حَتَّىٰ يُعْطُوا الْجِزْيَةَ عَن يَدٍ وَهُمْ صَاغِرُونَ
وَقَالَتِ الْيَهُودُ عُزَيْرٌ ابْنُ اللَّهِ وَقَالَتِ النَّصَارَى الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ اللَّهِ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ قَوْلُهُم بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ ۖ يُضَاهِئُونَ قَوْلَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَبْلُ ۚ قَاتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ
اتَّخَذُوا أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَانَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَالْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا إِلَـٰهًا وَاحِدًا ۖ لَّا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ سُبْحَانَهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ
۞ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الْأَحْبَارِ وَالرُّهْبَانِ لَيَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَالَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنفِقُونَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
يَوْمَ يُحْمَىٰ عَلَيْهَا فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكْوَىٰ بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمْ وَجُنُوبُهُمْ وَظُهُورُهُمْ ۖ هَـٰذَا مَا كَنَزْتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْنِزُونَ
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
إِنَّمَا النَّسِيءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْكُفْرِ ۖ يُضَلُّ بِهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُحِلُّونَهُ عَامًا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُ عَامًا لِّيُوَاطِئُوا عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّوا مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ ۚ زُيِّنَ لَهُمْ سُوءُ أَعْمَالِهِمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ اثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ ۚ أَرَضِيتُم بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ ۚ فَمَا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ
إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَيَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّوهُ شَيْئًا ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ اللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا السُّفْلَىٰ ۗ وَكَلِمَةُ اللَّهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا وَجَاهِدُوا بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
O you who believe! Indeed, the polytheists (are) unclean, so let them not come near Al-Masjid Al-Haraam after this, their (final) year. And if you fear poverty, then soon Allah will enrich you from His Bounty, if He wills. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Knower, All-Wise.
Fight those who (do) not believe in Allah and not in the Day the Last, and not they make unlawful what Allah has made unlawful and His Messenger, and not they acknowledge (the) religion (of) the truth, from those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the jizya willingly, while they (are) subdued.
And said the Jews, "Uzair (is) son (of) Allah." And said the Christians, "Messiah (is) son (of) Allah." That (is) their saying with their mouths, they imitate the saying (of) those who disbelieved before. (May) Allah destroy them. How deluded are they!
They have taken their rabbis and their monks (as) Lords besides Allah and the Messiah, son (of) Maryam. And not they were commanded except that they worship One God. (There) is no god except Him. Glory be to Him from what they associate (with Him).
They want to extinguish Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His Light even if the disbelievers dislike (it).
He (is) the One Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion (of) [the] truth, to manifest it over all religions. Even if dislike (it) the polytheists.
O you who believe! Indeed, many of the rabbis and the monks surely eat (the) wealth (of) the people in falsehood, and hinder from (the) way (of) Allah. And those who hoard the gold and the silver, and (do) not spend it in (the) way (of) Allah, [so] give them tidings of a punishment painful.
(The) Day it will be heated [on it] in the Fire (of) Hell, and will be branded with it their foreheads and their flanks and their backs, "This (is) what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you used to hoard."
Indeed, (the) number (of) the months with Allah (is) twelve months in (the) ordinance (of) Allah (from the) Day He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four (are) sacred. That (is) the religion the upright, so (do) not wrong therein yourselves. And fight the polytheists all together, as they fight you all together. And know that Allah (is) with the righteous.
Indeed, the postponing (is) an increase in the disbelief, are led astray by it those who disbelieve. They make it lawful one year and make it unlawful (another) year, to adjust the number which Allah has made unlawful and making lawful what Allah has made unlawful. Is made fair-seeming to them (the) evil (of) their deeds. And Allah (does) not guide the people - the disbelievers.
O you who believe! What (is the matter) with you when it is said to you go forth in (the) way (of) Allah, you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life (of) the world (rather) than the Hereafter? But what (is the) enjoyment (of) the life (of) the world in (comparison to) the hereafter except a little.
If not you go forth, He will punish you (with) a painful punishment, and will replace you (with) a people other than you, and not you can harm Him (in) anything. And Allah (is) on every thing All-Powerful.
If not you help him, certainly, Allah helped him, when drove him out those who disbelieved, the second (of) the two, when they both (were) in the cave, when he said to his companion, "(Do) not grieve, indeed, Allah (is) with us." Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon him, and supported him with forces which you did not see, and made (the) word (of) those who disbelieved the lowest, while (the) Word (of) Allah it (is) the highest. And Allah (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise.
Go forth, light or heavy and strive with your wealth and your lives in (the) way (of) Allah. That (is) better for you, if you know.
Q9:29 and Q9:33 inform us that it is the establishing of the true religion over all other religions which is the reason behind waging wars. Prophets Abraham and Ishmael were assigned the task to purify The Sacred House and announce the pilgrimage for all people (Q2:125, Q3:96-97, Q22:26-27). In Prophet Moses' narrative in The Quran, we find references to the Hajj, Qibla and a war which the people refused to fight; and to this day the observant Jews wear a black cube (tofatot / tefillin) on their head for morning prayers. Also worth remembering at this point is the fact that the Temple in Jerusalem was built much later by Prophet Solomon, so the only pilgrimage structure even then was the Kaaba located in al-Masjid al-Haraam. Prophet Muhammad emigrated from Makkah, and then returned to purify the Kaaba and the Masjid al-Haraam, establishing the true Deen over all other deens. It is expected that Prophet Jesus will return during end times for the final war.
A while after emigrating to Medina, the Prophet received instructions to turn his face towards the Kaaba in prayer. Among the ayaat which follow this instruction, we read:
A while after emigrating to Medina, the Prophet received instructions to turn his face towards the Kaaba in prayer. Among the ayaat which follow this instruction, we read:
قَدْ نَرَىٰ تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ ۖ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبْلَةً تَرْضَاهَا ۚ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ ۗ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۗ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ
وَلَئِنْ أَتَيْتَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ بِكُلِّ آيَةٍ مَّا تَبِعُوا قِبْلَتَكَ ۚ وَمَا أَنتَ بِتَابِعٍ قِبْلَتَهُمْ ۚ وَمَا بَعْضُهُم بِتَابِعٍ قِبْلَةَ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءَهُم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ ۙ إِنَّكَ إِذًا لَّمِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنْهُمْ لَيَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ
Indeed, We see (the) turning (of) your face towards the heaven. So We will surely turn you (to the) direction of prayer you will be pleased with. So turn your face towards the direction (of) Al-Masjid Al-Haraam and wherever that you are [so] turn your faces (in) its direction. And indeed, those who were given the Book surely know that it (is) the truth from their Lord. And not (is) Allah unaware of what they do.
And even if you come (to) those who were given the Book with all (the) signs, not they would follow your direction of prayer, and not (will) you (be) a follower (of) their direction of prayer And not some of them (are) followers (of the) direction of prayer (of each) other. And if you followed their desires from after [what] came to you of the knowledge, indeed, you (would) then (be) surely among the wrongdoers.
(To) those whom We gave [them] the Book, they recognize it like they recognize their sons. And indeed, a group of them surely they conceal the Truth while they know.
The Truth (is) from your Lord, so (do) not be among the doubters.
THE DEEN
Surah at-Taubah (The Repentance), Surah al-Fath (The Victory) and Surah as-Saff (The Battle Array) inform us that the purpose of sending the Messenger of Allah is to establish the دِينِ الْحَقِّ over all other religions (laws of recompense):
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ
He (is) the One Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion (of) [the] truth, to manifest it over all religions. Even if dislike (it) the polytheists.
[Al-Quran 9:33]
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
He (is) the One Who (has) sent His Messenger with guidance and (the) religion, the true that He (may) make it prevail over the religions all. And sufficient is Allah (as) a Witness.
[Al-Quran 48:28]
هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ
He (is) the One Who sent His Messenger with guidance and (the) religion (of) the truth, to make it prevail over the religion all of them, although dislike (it) the polytheists.
[Al-Quran 61:9]
Surah al-Fath foretells victory (Q48:16), and Surah as-Saff charges the Believers to be true to their word, striving with their wealth and their lives for Allah. It reminds of the previous two Messengers of Allah: Moses and Jesus, and the lack of support by the people they were sent to as Messengers of Allah, and how only the disciples and a few of the Bani Israel believed in Jesus. However, the Fath (Victory) is going to come, and the Days of Allah are promised, and we know that Allah's promise is true.
Surah Al-Baqarah on Enmity & Qital (Fighting)
Surah al-Baqarah begins with the statement that The Book is a guidance for the God-conscious. When Adam was exiled from The Garden, it was stated:
فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
Then made [both of] them slip the Shaitaan from it, and he got [both of] them out from what they [both] were in [it]. And We said, "Go down (all of you), some of you to others (as) enemy; and for you in the earth (is) a dwelling place and a provision for a period."
Then received Adam from his Lord words, So (his Lord) turned towards him. Indeed He! He (is) the Oft-returning, the Most Merciful.
We said, "Go down from it all (of you), and when, comes to you from Me Guidance, then whoever follows My Guidance, [then] no fear (will be) on them and not they will grieve.
And those who disbelieve[d] and deny Our Signs, those (are the) companions (of) the Fire; they in it (will) abide forever."
Further on in Surah al-Baqarah, we read:
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَخْرِجُوهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ أَخْرَجُوكُمْ ۚ وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُقَاتِلُوهُمْ عِندَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ حَتَّىٰ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِيهِ ۖ فَإِن قَاتَلُوكُمْ فَاقْتُلُوهُمْ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ
فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ لِلَّهِ ۖ فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَلَا عُدْوَانَ إِلَّا عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ
الشَّهْرُ الْحَرَامُ بِالشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ وَالْحُرُمَاتُ قِصَاصٌ ۚ فَمَنِ اعْتَدَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاعْتَدُوا عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
وَأَنفِقُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوا ۛ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
And fight in (the) way (of) Allah those who fight you and (do) not transgress. Indeed, Allah (does) not like the transgressors.
And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from wherever they drove you out, and [the] oppression (is) worse than [the] killing. And (do) not fight them near Al-Masjid Al-Haraam until they fight you in it. Then if they fight you, then kill them. Such (is the) reward (of) the disbelievers.
Then if they cease, then indeed, Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
And fight (against) them until not (there) is oppression, and becomes the religion for Allah Then if they cease then (let there be) no hostility except against the oppressors.
The month [the] sacred (is) for the month [the] sacred, and for all the violations (is) legal retribution. Then whoever transgressed upon you then you transgress on him in (the) same manner (as) he transgressed upon you. And consciously revere Allah and know that Allah (is) with those who consciously revere
And spend in (the) way (of) Allah and (do) not throw (yourselves) [with your hands] into [the] destruction. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the good-doers.
The Quran exhorts the believers to spend. It provides a list of types of spending. One of the items in the list is in the cause of Allah, and on the people who are restricted because of the cause of Allah (Q2:273). According to the context, the spending in the way of Allah mentioned in ayah Q2:195 (وَأَنفِقُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ) seems to be defence spending for the cause of fighting for the Deen of Allah, with those who fight you. Special mention is made of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam (The Sacred Mosque) near which battle is only allowed if the Believers are attacked. Further on in the same surah, we find the link between the sacred months and The Sacred Mosque, and the exception clause regarding battle during those months:
كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ النَّبِيِّينَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِيمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ ۚ وَمَا اخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ فَهَدَى اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ ۖ قُلْ مَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الشَّهْرِ الْحَرَامِ قِتَالٍ فِيهِ ۖ قُلْ قِتَالٌ فِيهِ كَبِيرٌ ۖ وَصَدٌّ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَكُفْرٌ بِهِ وَالْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَإِخْرَاجُ أَهْلِهِ مِنْهُ أَكْبَرُ عِندَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَكْبَرُ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ ۗ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَرُدُّوكُمْ عَن دِينِكُمْ إِنِ اسْتَطَاعُوا ۚ وَمَن يَرْتَدِدْ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِ فَيَمُتْ وَهُوَ كَافِرٌ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۖ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أُولَـٰئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Was mankind a community single, then raised up Allah [the] Prophets (as) bearers of glad tidings and (as) warners, and sent down with them the Book in [the] truth to judge between [the] people in what they differed [in it]. And (did) not differ[ed] in it except those who were given it from after [what] came to them the clear proofs, (out of) jealousy among themselves. And guided Allah those who believe[d] regarding what they differed [in it] of the Truth with His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a path straight.
Or (do) you think that you will enter Paradise while not (has) come to you like (came to) those who passed away from before you? Touched them [the] adversity and [the] hardship, and they were shaken until said the Messenger and those who believed with him, "When [will] (the) help (of) Allah (come) Unquestionably, [Indeed] help (of) Allah (is) near.
They ask you what they (should) spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good, (is) for parents, and the relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, and (of) the wayfarer. And whatever you do of good. So indeed, Allah of it (is) All-Aware.
Is prescribed upon you [the] fighting while it (is) hateful to you. But perhaps [that] you dislike a thing and it (is) good for you; and perhaps [that] you love a thing and it (is) bad for you. And Allah knows while you (do) not know.
They ask you about the month [the] sacred - (concerning) fighting in it. Say, "Fighting therein (is) a great (sin); but hindering (people) from (the) way (of) Allah, and disbelief in Him and (preventing access to) Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, and driving out its people from it, (is) greater (sin) near Allah. And [the] oppression (is) greater than [the] killing." And not they will cease (to) fight with you until they turn you away from your religion, if they are able. And whoever turns away among you from his religion, then dies while he (is) a disbeliever for those became worthless their deeds in the world and the Hereafter. And those (are) companions (of) the Fire, they in it (will) abide forever.
Indeed, those who believed and those who emigrated and strove in (the) way (of) Allah - those, they hope (for) Mercy (of) Allah. And Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Al-Quran 2:213-218; translation typo edited]
Yet again, we find the exhortation to fight and spend in the cause of Allah:
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And fight in (the) way (of) Allah, and know that Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Who (is) the one who will lend (to) Allah - a loan good, so (that) He multiplies it for him - manifolds many And Allah withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.
Who (is) the one who will lend (to) Allah - a loan good, so (that) He multiplies it for him - manifolds many And Allah withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.
After this exhortation, the surah relates the story of the Bani Israel after Moses' death. They spoke about fighting for Allah's cause and even asked for someone to be appointed as king to lead them in the holy war. Yet, when Allah appointed Saul as their king, they were hesitant to accept him. Furthermore, even after clear signs came to them, very few of them were true to their word and actually participated in the war. Then we read about the link between fighting and corruption, where it mentions that Goliath (Jalut) was killed:
فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُودُ جَالُوتَ وَآتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُ مِمَّا يَشَاءُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ الْأَرْضُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ
تِلْكَ آيَاتُ اللَّهِ نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِالْحَقِّ ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ
۞ تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ اللَّهُ ۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ ۗ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا اقْتَتَلَ الَّذِينَ مِن بَعْدِهِم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ وَلَـٰكِنِ اخْتَلَفُوا فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ آمَنَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن كَفَرَ ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا اقْتَتَلُوا وَلَـٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنفِقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لَّا بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلَا خُلَّةٌ وَلَا شَفَاعَةٌ ۗ وَالْكَافِرُونَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
So they defeated them by (the) permission (of) Allah, and killed Dawood Jalut, and gave him Allah the kingdom and the wisdom and taught him that which He willed. And if not (for the) repelling (by) Allah, [the] people - some of them with others, certainly (would have) corrupt the Earth, [and] but Allah (is) Possessor (of) bounty to the worlds.
These (are the) Verses (of) Allah, We recite them to you in [the] truth. And indeed, you (are) surely of the Messengers.
These (are) the Messengers We (have) preferred some of them over others. Among them (were those with) whom spoke Allah, and He raised some of them (in) degrees. And We gave Isa, son (of) Maryam, the clear proofs and We supported him with Spirit [the] Holy. And if (had) willed Allah not (would have) fought each other those who (came) from after them, from after [what] came to them the clear proofs. [And] but they differed, [so] of them (are some) who believed and of them (are some) who denied. And if (had) willed Allah not they (would have) fought each [and] but Allah does what He intends.
O you who believe[d]! Spend of what We (have) provided you, from before that comes a Day no bargaining in it and no friendship and no intercession. And the deniers - they (are) the wrongdoers.
These (are) the Messengers We (have) preferred some of them over others. Among them (were those with) whom spoke Allah, and He raised some of them (in) degrees. And We gave Isa, son (of) Maryam, the clear proofs and We supported him with Spirit [the] Holy. And if (had) willed Allah not (would have) fought each other those who (came) from after them, from after [what] came to them the clear proofs. [And] but they differed, [so] of them (are some) who believed and of them (are some) who denied. And if (had) willed Allah not they (would have) fought each [and] but Allah does what He intends.
O you who believe[d]! Spend of what We (have) provided you, from before that comes a Day no bargaining in it and no friendship and no intercession. And the deniers - they (are) the wrongdoers.
The Bible informs us that Goliath (Jalut) was a giant. Corruption on Earth is a topic introduced early on in the surah (Q2:11-12). Q30:30 informs us of the standing law of recompense (الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ) that there should be no change in the creation of Allah, especially humans.
The famous ayat-ul-kursi follows the above quoted ayaat which concludes with the fact that Allah does not tire from guarding His creation. And then the famous phrase: There is no compulsion in religion (الدِّينِ):
لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ۗ أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
(There is) no compulsion in the religion. Surely has become distinct the right (path) from the wrong. Then whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, then surely he grasped the handhold - [the] firm, (which) not (will) break [for it]. And Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Allah (is the) Protecting Guardian (of) those who believe[d]. He brings them out from [the] darkness towards [the] light. And those who disbelieve(d) their guardians (are) the evil ones, they bring them out from the light towards [the] darkness. Those (are the) companions (of) the Fire, they in it will abide forever.
Surah An-Nisa` on Oppression & Qital (Fighting)
Surah an-Nisa` focuses on supporting and protecting the weak in the community, especially orphans and widows. It begins by drawing attention to the importance of the womb. Later on in the surah, we come across ayaat on battle. Among them we read:
وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَـٰذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ الظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَاجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا وَاجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ الطَّاغُوتِ فَقَاتِلُوا أَوْلِيَاءَ الشَّيْطَانِ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَانِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ قِيلَ لَهُمْ كُفُّوا أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقِتَالُ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمْ يَخْشَوْنَ النَّاسَ كَخَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ أَوْ أَشَدَّ خَشْيَةً ۚ وَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبْتَ عَلَيْنَا الْقِتَالَ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنَا إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ ۗ قُلْ مَتَاعُ الدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا
And what for you (that) not you fight in (the) way (of) Allah, and (for) those who are weak among the men and the women and the children, those who say, "Our Lord take us out of this [the] town [the] oppressor(s) (are) its people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper.
Those who believe, they fight in (the) way (of) Allah; and those who disbelieve, they fight in (the) way (of) the false deities. So fight (against) (the) friends (of) the Shaitaan. Indeed, (the) strategy (of) the Shaitaan is weak.
Have you not seen [towards] those who (when) it was said to them, "Restrain your hands and establish the prayer and give the zakah?" Then when was ordained on them the fighting, then a group of them [they] fear the people as (they) fear Allah or more intense fear, and they said, "Our Lord why have You ordained upon us [the] fighting? Why not You postpone (it for) us to a near term." Say, "Enjoyment (of) the world (is) little and the Hereafter (is) better for whoever consciously reveres (Allah) and not you will be wronged (even as much as) a hair on a date-seed.
From the mission of Prophet Muhammad, and the examples of Bani Israel mentioned in The Quran, there were times when the Believers were asked to endure and keep peace, and situations in which fighting was divinely ordained. Even during battle, there were rules. Among them, we learn about the sanctity of the life of a Believer. Taking the life of a Believer is forbidden, and killing a Believer by mistake requires atonement. Killing a Believer intentionally condemns a person to eternal punishment.
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ أَن يَقْتُلَ مُؤْمِنًا إِلَّا خَطَأً ۚ وَمَن قَتَلَ مُؤْمِنًا خَطَأً فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ وَدِيَةٌ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ إِلَّا أَن يَصَّدَّقُوا ۚ فَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوْمٍ عَدُوٍّ لَّكُمْ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُم مِّيثَاقٌ فَدِيَةٌ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ وَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ تَوْبَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
وَمَن يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُوا وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَنْ أَلْقَىٰ إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ اللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
And not is for a believer that he kills a believer except (by) mistake. And whoever killed a believer (by) mistake, then freeing (of) a believing slave and blood money (is to be) paid to his family unless that they remit (as) charity. But if (he) was from a people hostile to you and he was a believer then freeing (of) a believing slave. And if (he) was from a people between you and between them, (is) a treaty, then blood money (is to be) paid to his family, and freeing (of) a believing slave. And whoever (does) not find, then fasting (for) two months consecutively, (seeking) repentance from Allah, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
And whoever kills a believer intentionally then his recompense (is) Hell, abiding in it forever and Allah's wrath will fall on him and He (will) curse him and He has prepared for him a punishment great.
O you who believe[d]! When you go forth in (the) way (of) Allah then investigate, and (do) not say to (the one) who offers to you (a greeting of) peace, "You are not a believer," seeking transitory gains (of) the life (of) the world, for with Allah (are) booties abundant. Like that you were before, then Allah conferred favor upon you; so investigate. Indeed, Allah is of what you do All-Aware.
Surah al-Maidah on the Reluctance to Fight
۞ وَلَقَدْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَبَعَثْنَا مِنْهُمُ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًا ۖ وَقَالَ اللَّهُ إِنِّي مَعَكُمْ ۖ لَئِنْ أَقَمْتُمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَيْتُمُ الزَّكَاةَ وَآمَنتُم بِرُسُلِي وَعَزَّرْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَقْرَضْتُمُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا لَّأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۚ فَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ مِنكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَاءَ السَّبِيلِ
And certainly Allah took a Covenant (from the) Children (of) Israel and We appointed among them twelve leaders. And Allah said, "Indeed, with you, if you establish the prayer and give the zakah and you believe in My Messengers and you assist them and you loan (to) Allah a goodly loan, surely I will remove from you your evil deeds and I will surely admit you (to) gardens flow from underneath them the rivers. But whoever disbelieved after that among you, then certainly he strayed (from) the right way.
...
[the above is Q5:12]
[to continue quoting from Q5:19]
يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ عَلَىٰ فَتْرَةٍ مِّنَ الرُّسُلِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا جَاءَنَا مِن بَشِيرٍ وَلَا نَذِيرٍ ۖ فَقَدْ جَاءَكُم بَشِيرٌ وَنَذِيرٌ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ يَا قَوْمِ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَعَلَ فِيكُمْ أَنبِيَاءَ وَجَعَلَكُم مُّلُوكًا وَآتَاكُم مَّا لَمْ يُؤْتِ أَحَدًا مِّنَ الْعَالَمِينَ
يَا قَوْمِ ادْخُلُوا الْأَرْضَ الْمُقَدَّسَةَ الَّتِي كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَرْتَدُّوا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا خَاسِرِينَ
قَالُوا يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنَّ فِيهَا قَوْمًا جَبَّارِينَ وَإِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَا حَتَّىٰ يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا فَإِن يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا فَإِنَّا دَاخِلُونَ
قَالَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ادْخُلُوا عَلَيْهِمُ الْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَالِبُونَ ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
قَالُوا يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَا أَبَدًا مَّا دَامُوا فِيهَا ۖ فَاذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلَا إِنَّا هَاهُنَا قَاعِدُونَ
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي لَا أَمْلِكُ إِلَّا نَفْسِي وَأَخِي ۖ فَافْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ
قَالَ فَإِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ۛ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً ۛ يَتِيهُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ فَلَا تَأْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ
۞ وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ابْنَيْ آدَمَ بِالْحَقِّ إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانًا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِمَا وَلَمْ يُتَقَبَّلْ مِنَ الْآخَرِ قَالَ لَأَقْتُلَنَّكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
لَئِن بَسَطتَ إِلَيَّ يَدَكَ لِتَقْتُلَنِي مَا أَنَا بِبَاسِطٍ يَدِيَ إِلَيْكَ لِأَقْتُلَكَ ۖ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ
إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَن تَبُوءَ بِإِثْمِي وَإِثْمِكَ فَتَكُونَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّارِ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الظَّالِمِينَ
فَطَوَّعَتْ لَهُ نَفْسُهُ قَتْلَ أَخِيهِ فَقَتَلَهُ فَأَصْبَحَ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
فَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ غُرَابًا يَبْحَثُ فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيُرِيَهُ كَيْفَ يُوَارِي سَوْءَةَ أَخِيهِ ۚ قَالَ يَا وَيْلَتَا أَعَجَزْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِثْلَ هَـٰذَا الْغُرَابِ فَأُوَارِيَ سَوْءَةَ أَخِي ۖ فَأَصْبَحَ مِنَ النَّادِمِينَ
مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنَّهُ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فِي الْأَرْضِ لَمُسْرِفُونَ
إِنَّمَا جَزَاءُ الَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَسَادًا أَن يُقَتَّلُوا أَوْ يُصَلَّبُوا أَوْ تُقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم مِّنْ خِلَافٍ أَوْ يُنفَوْا مِنَ الْأَرْضِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لَهُمْ خِزْيٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ تَابُوا مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَقْدِرُوا عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
O People (of) the Book! Surely has come to you Our Messenger, he makes clear to you [on] (after) an interval (of cessation of the Messengers, lest you say "Not (has) come to us any bearer of glad tidings and not a warner." But surely has come to you a bearer of glad tidings and a warner. And Allah (is) on every thing All-Powerful.
And when Musa said to his people, "O my people, remember (the) Favor of Allah upon you when He placed among you Prophets and made you kings and He gave you what He (had) not given (to) anyone from the worlds.
"O my people! Enter the Holy land which Allah has ordained for you and (do) not turn on your backs, then you will turn back (as) losers."
They said, "O Musa! Indeed, in it (are) people (of) tyrannical strength and indeed, we never will enter it until they leave from it, and if they leave [from] it then certainly we (will) enter (it)."
Said two men from those who feared (Allah), Allah had Favored [on] both of them, "Enter upon them (through) the gate then when you have entered it then indeed, you (will be) victorious. And upon Allah then put your trust if you are believers.
They said, O Musa! Indeed, we never will enter it, ever, as long as they are in it. So go you and your Lord and you both fight. Indeed, we are [here] sitting."
He said "O my Lord! Indeed, I (do) not (have) power except (over) myself nafs and my brother, so (make a) separation between us and between the defiantly disobedient people
(Allah) said, "Then indeed it (will be) forbidden to them (for) forty years, they will wander in the earth. So (do) not grieve over the defiantly disobedient people
And recite to them the story (of) two sons (of) Adam, in truth, when both offered a sacrifice, and it was accepted from one of them and not was accepted from the other. Said (the latter), "Surely I will kill you." Said (the former), "Only Allah accepts from the God conscious.
If you stretch towards me your hand to kill me, I will not stretch my hand towards you to kill you, indeed I fear Allah (the) Lord (of) the worlds."
"Indeed, I wish that you be laden with my sin and your sin so you will be among (the) companions (of) the Fire, and that (is the) recompense (of) the wrong-doers."
Then prompted to him his soul nafs (to) kill his brother, so he killed him and became of the losers.
Then Allah sent a crow, it (was) scratching in the earth to show how to hide (the) dead body (of) his brother. He said, "Woe to me! Am I unable that I can be like this [the] crow and hide (the) dead body (of) my brother?" Then he became of the regretful.
From time that, We ordained on (the) Children (of) Israel that he who kills a soul nafs other than (for) a soul nafs or (for) spreading corruption in the earth then (it) is as if he has killed all [the] mankind, and whoever saves it then (it) is as if he has saved all [the] mankind. And surely came to them Our Messengers with clear Signs yet, indeed, many of them after that in the earth (are) surely those who commit
Only (the) recompense (for) those who wage war (against) Allah and His Messenger and strive in the earth spreading corruption (is) that they be killed or they be crucified or be cut off their hands and their feet of opposite sides or they be exiled from the land. That (is) for them disgrace in the world and for them in the Hereafter (is) a punishment great.
Except those who repent before that you overpower [over] them, then know that Allah (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah al-Maidah begins with the command to fulfil the contracts, and it continues to list the rites, the lawful, the unlawful, ... Ayat 12, quoted above, reminds of the ratified covenant taken from the Bani Israel to assist the Messengers of Allah and to spend in the cause of Allah, terming it as a beautiful loan (قَرْضًا حَسَنًا). Then ayat 19 informs them that the Messenger of Allah, whom they had been waiting for, has come after a break in the series of Messengers!We then read about their earlier unwillingness to fight in the cause of Allah with their Messenger Moses. While Moses and the Bani Israel are descendants of Abraham through Isaac, the Arab prophet Muhammad and his family are also descendants of Abraham through his elder son Ishmael. So, in a logical progression, the narrative continues with a reminder of the two sons of Adam, and one of them killing the other out of envy, while the other didn't even defend himself from his brother's violence!
In that backdrop of (i) reluctance to fight in the cause of Allah, (ii) reluctance to fight out of fear of Allah, we read about the commandment to Bani Israel about saving a nafs or killing it. The next ayat declares the recompense for waging war against Allah and His Messenger.
The surah then continues to exhort the believers to strive in cause of Allah:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَاهِدُوا فِي سَبِيلِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُ مَعَهُ لِيَفْتَدُوا بِهِ مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَا تُقُبِّلَ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَخْرُجُوا مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا هُم بِخَارِجِينَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ
O you who believe! Consciously revere Allah and seek towards Him the means and strive hard in His way, so that you may succeed.
Indeed, those who disbelieve, if that for them (is) what (is) in the earth all and the like of it with it, to ransom themselves with it, from (the) punishment (of the) Day (of) the Resurrection, not will be accepted from them, and for them (is) a punishment painful.
They will wish that they come out of the Fire but not they will come out of it. And for them (is) a punishment lasting.
Surah al-Hajj on the Permission to Fight
۞ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدَافِعُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ كَفُورٍ
أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ يُقَاتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمْ ظُلِمُوا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ نَصْرِهِمْ لَقَدِيرٌ
الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِن دِيَارِهِم بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّا أَن يَقُولُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا ۗ وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ
الَّذِينَ إِن مَّكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ
Indeed, Allah defends those who believe. Indeed, Allah (does) not like ever treacherous ungrateful.
Permission is given to those who are being fought because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah for their victory (is) surely Able.
Those who have been evicted from their homes without right except that they said, "Our Lord (is) Allah." And if not Allah checks the people, some of them by others surely (would) have been demolished monasteries and churches and synagogues and masajid - is mentioned in it (the) name of Allah much. And surely Allah will help (those) who help Him. Indeed, Allah (is) surely All-Strong, All-Mighty.
Those who, if We establish them in the land they establish the prayer and they give the zakah and they enjoin the right and forbid from the wrong. And for Allah (is the) end (of) the matters.
Surah al-Hajj reminds us that Abraham was charged with purifying the House and announcing the Hajj. It clarifies who the permission to fight is given to and why.
Surah al-Qasas & Surah al-Ankabut on The Sanctuary
وَقَالُوا إِن نَّتَّبِعِ الْهُدَىٰ مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّفْ مِنْ أَرْضِنَا ۚ أَوَلَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّهُمْ حَرَمًا آمِنًا يُجْبَىٰ إِلَيْهِ ثَمَرَاتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ رِّزْقًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And they say, "If we follow the guidance with you, we would be swept from our land." Have not We established for them a sanctuary secure, are brought to it fruits (of) all things, a provision from Us? But most of them (do) not know.
[Al-Quran 28:57]
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا جَعَلْنَا حَرَمًا آمِنًا وَيُتَخَطَّفُ النَّاسُ مِنْ حَوْلِهِمْ ۚ أَفَبِالْبَاطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَةِ اللَّهِ يَكْفُرُونَ
Do not they see that We have made a Sanctuary secure while are being taken away the people from around them? Then do in the falsehood they believe and in (the) Favor (of) Allah they disbelieve?
The Secure Sanctuary is Allah keeping His Promise to Abraham ever since He accepted his prayer!
Allah made a covenant with Abraham appointing him an Imam for the people (Q2:124), appointing The House as a place of return and security (Q2:125). When Abraham and Ishmael had purified The House for the worshippers, Abraham prayed that:
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا آمِنًا وَارْزُقْ أَهْلَهُ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ مَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُم بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۖ قَالَ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَأُمَتِّعُهُ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ أَضْطَرُّهُ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ النَّارِ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ
And when said Ibrahim, "My Lord make this a city secure and provide its people with fruits, (to) whoever believed from in Allah and the Day the Last," He said, "And whoever disbelieved, [then] I will grant him enjoyment a little; then I will force him to (the) punishment (of) the Fire, and evil (is) the destination.
[Al-Quran 2:126; typo edited]
The region of Makkah has generally been a secure land since then.
Surah al-Fath on the Sanctity of Life of Believers
وَهُوَ الَّذِي كَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ عَنْهُم بِبَطْنِ مَكَّةَ مِن بَعْدِ أَنْ أَظْفَرَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرًا
هُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَالْهَدْيَ مَعْكُوفًا أَن يَبْلُغَ مَحِلَّهُ ۚ وَلَوْلَا رِجَالٌ مُّؤْمِنُونَ وَنِسَاءٌ مُّؤْمِنَاتٌ لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوهُمْ أَن تَطَئُوهُمْ فَتُصِيبَكُم مِّنْهُم مَّعَرَّةٌ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۖ لِّيُدْخِلَ اللَّهُ فِي رَحْمَتِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ لَوْ تَزَيَّلُوا لَعَذَّبْنَا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
And He (is) the One Who withheld their hands from you and your hands from them within Makkah, after that He gave you victory over them. And is Allah of what you do All-Seer.
They (are) those who disbelieved and hindered you from Al-Masjid Al-Haraam while the offering (was) prevented from reaching its place (of sacrifice). And if not (for) men believing and women believing not you knew them that you may trample them and would befall you from them any harm without knowledge. That Allah may admit to His Mercy whom He wills. If they had been apart surely, We would have punished those who disbelieved among them (with) a punishment painful.
Surah al-Fath cites a practical example of the sanctity of the life of the Believers, explaining why Makkah was secured by Messenger Muhammad and his companions without any bloodshed.
Learnings & Points to Ponder
The three laws defined in Q9:36, Q12:40 and Q30:30 seems to overarch and interlink all the directives for prayer, worship, pilgrimage and fighting for the cause of Allah.
Satan wants to divert us from the monotheistic worship of Allah alone. Satan tempted Adam to disobey and attempt to change Allah's creation. Satan tempts us with disobedience in all fields: moral, social, biological, financial, ...
Prayer reminds us of Allah.
Worship is obeying Allah in all fields of life: moral, social, biological, financial, ...
Pilgrimage is a return to the Mother of Cities and the First House of Worship with clear signs, such as the Kaaba (The Sacred House), the Muqam-e-Ibrahim (The Standing Place of Abraham) who is the imam/patriarch of the Jews, the Christians and the Muslims, and the Aab-e-Zamzam (The Water of Zamzam) coming from a well which has no known source of water-inlet, yet has continued to give water since millennia, as if the water is simply multiplying itself.
Fighting in the cause of Allah, the Creator who creates perfectly and governs absolutely, as a means of defending the sacred and abstaining/preventing/eliminating from the forbidden to retain a corruption-free world!
Prayer is ordained at fixed times throughout the day.
Worship is obedience throughout life, and includes repentance as awareness increases, a constant struggle to improve oneself in obedience and submission.
Pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime for whoever can find a way to go there.
Fighting when called to battle by Allah and His Messenger, or Leader of the State.
Credits:
Arabic text copied from: https://www.searchtruth.com/
Translation copied from: https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/
Translation copied from: https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/
Last updated on: March 5, 2020
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