I "love" this board, but when I stumbled upon this thread a couple of days ago I felt rather disgusted. Ive been through enough that not much at all gets to me, but I guess ignorance always has its special place. I tried my best to stay out of it, but oh well, when you see something wrong sometimes you just have to act, or youre just as much at wrong.
The ignorance displayed in this thread is rediculous, but I cant be surprised. Those who are ignorant are usually not completely at fault. They often are, unfortuneately, misinformed. Sometimes due to misinterpretation or lack of complete information, as in this case.
I have the Qur-an in front of me. Sura IX deals with the question: what is to be done if the enemy breaks faith and is guilty of treachery?
It speaks of those pagans (idolaters on the web link) whom contract a mutual alliance and then treacherously brake their terms. They are to be denounced, but four months time is given for adjustments or repentance. It mentions that they are to be excluded from the sacred Mosques, and also that Infidelity is to be fought. It specifically states that treaties will not be dissolved with those pagans that you are in alliance with and who have not subsequently failed you nor aided any one against you. It says to fulfill your engagements with them: for God loves the righteous.
Its stated that after the four months, if war becomes inevitable, it must be prosecuted with vigor. Ive seen the analogy “you cant fight with kid gloves”. Again the situation here is speaking of war, so yes fighting may take the form of slaughter, or capture, or siege, or ambush……(war stratagems). But even then according to Sura IX there is still room for repentance and amendment on the part of the guilty party, and if that takes place, the duty at hand would be of forgiveness and establishment of peace. If the enemies repent, it must be sincere which is shown by conduct- a religious spirit of true prayer and charity. It says to do all you can to make their way easy, remembering that God is oft-forgiving, and most merciful. It states that even among the enemies of Islam, actively fighting against Islam, there may be individuals who may be in a position to require protection, and that full asylum is to be given to them and opportunities provided to hear the word of God. If they accept the word, they become Muslims and brethren, no further question arises. Now before you go and say "ah hah!", get this: if they do not accept Islam, they will require double protection: (1) from the Islamic forces openly fighting against their people, and (2) from their own people, as they detached themselves from them. Both kinds of protection should be ensured for them, and they should be safely escorted to a place where they can be safe.
Sura IX is not a normal Sura. It was one of the last revealed. It is the only one that doesn’t have the usual "Bismillah" prefixed. It was apparently added after treaties had been violated, and basically after having been taken advantage of. Sura IX came about after a rumor that Byzantines (Romans) were preparing to invade Arabia (the Byzantine Emperor had arrived at the frontier). The Apostle collected as large a force as he could. However the Byzantine invasion did not occur. The Apostle had taken the opportunity to make treaties of alliance with certain Christian and Jewish tribes near the gulf of Aquaba. To make a (already) long story short, these tribes double crossed them, and thus the need of new policy. Where there had been free access to the sacred centre of Islam, to Muslims and pagans alike, the policy was now altered, as it had been abused by the enemies of Islam. No where is there any thought of killing or going against any and all portrayed here. The exact opposite is specifically preached. Seems there is more time dealing with mercy and forgiveness than anything else. There is no nation that can go on with a treaty if the other party violates it at will; although here the period of four months was laid down as basically a notice; states that due protection should be accorded; that there should always be open a door to repentance and reunion with the people of God; and if all these fail then war must be undertaken.
Okay, I know that was long, Im sorry, but hopefully this gives the jist of what Sura IX actually says. If there was time for those who were able to make such eloquently put remarks and accusations based on little or no research then there should be no problem reading this. Internet Qur-an??? We all know how things are consolidated and rewritten, for our benefit, right? Ever think of how many editions of the Bible have been produced, transferred from how many languages, for how many different people to understand in the way that they can? With all its "good", religion has always been the #1 cause to divide the masses and cause of war. One good reason for this........ religion is man-made! Kind of like God fan clubs
. There are other points that I had thought of, but frankly my head is spinning and I need a break. Id like to get back to thinking about ETs and mph soon. If needed, I know I will remember. If we agree that there is only one God, although we may follow different religions (man-made mind you), ever think that we are all ulitimately worshipping the same God!!
Cant we all get along?
