Liberty Pastors and Friends:

Today we continue the Ban Sharia educational series with an especially difficult subject: child marriage and the exploitation of children.

This episode examines claims concerning child marriage and other forms of sexual abuse and exploitation that the producers connect to particular interpretations and applications of Sharia. The subject matter is serious, but protecting children and understanding the beliefs and practices being discussed deserve careful attention.

As with every installment in this series, we encourage you to watch the short video, examine the information presented, and continue learning for yourself. If you believe the information is valuable, share it with others.

 

The video is less than 2 minutes long.

AI and Islam – Part Four
by
Usama Dakdok

In previous articles we critiqued AI’s claim that Islam teaches love and peace by examining Qur’anic verses related to warfare. First, I began by noting that while AI cited Qur’an 2:256, “There is no compulsion in religion,” as evidence for love and peace in Islam, AI later acknowledged the doctrine of abrogation, stating that this verse is superseded by Qur’an 9:5, which commands engaging in war.  Then, in the second article, I challenged AI’s portrayal of Islamic warfare as defensive, focusing on Qur’an 22:39, arguing that scholars like Al-Tabari added interpretive elements to frame the verse as defensive, despite the text not explicitly stating that. I also critiqued differing scholarly explanations about the inconsistent views of whether early Muslims were expelled, or prevented from migrating. I maintained that early Muslims were not truly persecuted in Mecca and that warfare became central only after Mohammed gained power in Medina. I concluded that traditional interpretations contradict AI’s simplified, defensive portrayal of Islamic teachings on war.

Then, in the third article, I argued that AI falsely presents Islam as a peaceful religion by citing Qur’an 2:190, “Engage in war… those who engage in war with you, but do not transgress,” as proof that Islamic warfare is purely defensive, while once again AI ignored the interpretation of Muslim scholars such as Al-Tabari. I explained that traditional Islamic interpretations show this verse was either later abrogated by Qur’an 9:5, “kill the polytheists wherever you find them,” or limited only by prohibiting the killing of women and children, rather than restricting war to self-defense. I contend that early and later Islamic scholars understood these verses as commands for broader warfare to expand Islamic rule, compel submission, or enforce jizyah on non-Muslims. Therefore, I conclude that AI’s claim that Islam teaches only defensive, non-aggressive warfare overlooks what is the dominant interpretation, that Qur’anic war teachings evolved into offensive expansion, with limits focused mainly on who could be spared as spoils of war or  tribute tax payers.

Now, in this article, I will tackle point 3, which was presented by AI as another reason why Muslims can engage in war, and that is to respond only in proportion. Here we see that AI quoted Qur’an 2:194, which states, “The forbidden month for the forbidden month and all the forbidden things are retaliation, so whoever commits transgression against you, so transgress against him similar to how he transgressed against you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is with the fearer.”

Once again, AI came up with the conclusion from the statement, “so transgress against him similar to how he transgressed against you,” that retaliation must never exceed the wrong done. Notice that this portion of the verse AI and the Muslims in the West love to quote to present their agenda to gave a reason why Muslims were commanded to engage in war. They continue their theory that Islam is a loving and peaceful religion and Muslims only engage in war to retaliate against others who started the war against them.

Obviously, once again, this is the wrong conclusion simply because AI, or the Muslims of the West, did not bother to read the actual interpretation by the scholars of Islam. It is similar to the previous three errors. Let me now share with you quickly what the great scholar of Islam, Al-Tabari, stated about that verse. 

First, in his interpretation, the phrase, “The forbidden month for the forbidden month and all the forbidden things are retaliation,” refers to the month of Dhu al-Qa'dah. This is the very month in which Mohammed performed the minor Pilgrimage of Al-Hudaybiyyah, an occasion during which the polytheists of Mecca barred him from reaching the Sacred House and entering the city. All of these events transpired in the sixth year of his migration. Mohammed made a peace treaty with the polytheists, stipulating that he would return the following year to enter Mecca and remain there for three days. Consequently, when the following year arrived, he set out to perform this minor Pilgrimage in Dhu al-Qa'dah, accompanied by his companions. This was the month during which the people of Mecca vacated the city for him, allowing Mohammed to enter, fulfill his pilgrimage rites, complete his minor Pilgrimage, and stay for the agreed three days. Then he departed the city and returned to Medina.

Al-Tabari also stated that the polytheists had boasted  and mocked Mohammed when they turned him back on the day of Al-Hudaybiyyah. So Allah avenged him against them and brought him into Mecca  the following year in that same month in which they had turned him back. Al-Tabari also stated that In the contract of peace Mohammed shall enter and depart it while mounted and bearing arms, and that Mohammed shall not leave accompanied by any of the people of Mecca.

Al-Tabari continued to state that during Mohammed’s minor Pilgrimage, he married Maymuna, the daughter of Al-Harith Al-Hilaliyya. By the way, that is forbidden in Islam. But as we know, Mohammed always had special privileges with Allah. So what he commands all the Muslims to do, he is exempt from such commands. He is the only one who was free to do whatever he desired as Allah rushed with verses in the Qur’an to give him such privileges.

But the most important thing we read in the interpretation of the great Muslim scholar Al-Tabari, once again, stated that Qur’an 2:194 is no longer practiced by the Muslims. Here is exactly what he stated: “All of this has been abrogated, Allah commanded Mohammed to wage jihad against the polytheists.” He recited Qur’an 9:36, which states: “Surely the number of months with Allah is twelve months. In Allah’s book, a day he created the heavens and the earth, four of those are forbidden. This is the right religion, so do not do injustice to yourselves during them, and engage in war with all the polytheists as they engage in war with all of you. And know that Allah is with the fearer.”

Al-Tabari, also recited Qur’an 9:123, which teaches that Muslims are commanded to engage in war against their neighbors who do not believe in Allah. We are talking about their Arab neighbors, as Allah stated, “O you who have believed, engage in war against the infidels who are near to you. And let them find in you harshness and know that Allah is with the fearer.”

Then, when Mohammed had finished with  the Arabs, Al-Tabari continued to say, Allah stated in Qur’an 9:29, “Engage in war with those who do not believe in Allah nor in the last day, nor forbid what Allah and his messenger forbid, nor believe in the religion of the truth (Islam) among those who have been given the book (Jews and Christians) until they pay the jizya (tribute tax) out of hand and they are subdued.”

In his interpretation, Al-Tabari stated that when Allah said the phrase, “and they are subdued,” Allah meant that they here are the Romans. He added that the Messenger of Allah dispatched an expedition against the Romans.

So, in simple words, the scholars of Islam assured us that Qur’an 2:194 is no longer believed or practiced by Muslims. Once again because that verse has been abrogated. As Al-Tabari, stated the final commands in the Qur’an are the verses in which Allah ordered the Muslim believers to engage in war and perform jihad.

Obviously, we know that Mohammed, in the final verses of the Qur’an, like in chapters 8 and 9, was commanded first to perform jihad against the Arabs, those who were in the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. Secondly, to expand his jihad to the rest of the known world of his day. This continued with his believers, the companions, and the followers of the companions, even until today. They still practice jihad, as it is written in the final commands of the Qur’an.

Sadly, AI and the Muslims who claim to be moderate today ignore these verses and the millions of Muslims who practice them throughout the world. In simple words, this is the history of Islam yesterday and the future of Islam for tomorrow.

This theme will continue in my ongoing study of AI and war in Islam, in the following articles, Lord willing.

AI and Islam – Part Five

by

Usama Dakdok

In the previous articles we critiqued AI’s claim that Islam teaches love and peace by examining Qur’anic verses related to warfare. First, I noted that while AI cited Qur’an 2:256, “There is no compulsion in religion,” as evidence for peace and tolerance in Islam, AI later acknowledged the doctrine of abrogation, admitting that this verse was superseded by Qur’an 9:5, which commands engaging in war with the polytheists. In the second article, I challenged AI’s portrayal of Islamic warfare as defensive by examining Qur’an 22:39. I argued that classical Muslim scholars such as Al-Tabari added interpretive explanations to present the verse as defensive, even though the text itself does not explicitly state that. I also critiqued contradictory scholarly explanations concerning whether early Muslims were expelled from Mecca or prevented from migrating. I maintained that early Muslims were not truly persecuted and that warfare became central after Mohammed gained military power in Medina.

In the third article, I addressed AI’s use of Qur’an 2:190, “Engage in war… against those who engage in war against you, and do not transgress,” as proof that Islamic warfare is only defensive. I demonstrated from Al-Tabari and other scholars that this verse was either abrogated by later verses such as Qur’an 9:5 or interpreted only as forbidding the killing of women and children. I argued that classical Islamic scholarship understood jihad as warfare to expand Islamic rule, compel submission, or enforce jizyah on non-Muslims.

In the fourth article, I examined Qur’an 2:194 concerning proportional retaliation. I showed that Al Tabari taught this verse was later abrogated by commands in chapters 8 and 9 ordering broader jihad against polytheists and non-Muslims. I concluded that classical Islamic interpretations contradict modern AI and so-called moderate Muslim claims that Islam teaches only defensive and peaceful warfare.

Now let's move on with this new article to examine one more reason AI and most so-called moderate Muslims in the West used to defend Islam concerning warfare. And that is when the AI stated, in point 4 “be firm and steadfast if fighting becomes necessary, ‘O believers, when you face a fighting force, stand firm and remember Allah often.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:45)”’

First of all, when we read this translation of Qur’an 8:45 as it is given to us here by the AI and how Muslims love to read it for us, you will notice that they are twisting the words of Allah to make it sound like the enemies, the Infidels are attacking the Muslim believers. Notice it says, “O believers when you face a fighting force.” A simple reading of that phrase will make the readers believe that someone or some enemy of the Muslim believers is forcing themselves on the Muslims. So this translation gives us the feeling or the understanding of a defensive war for the Muslims who were facing offensive war from some enemies. When in reality we examine the history of Mohammad's life in the first 13 years after he claimed to be a prophet according to the narrative of so-called Muslim historians, we know that he lived in Mecca in the midst of the Infidels. And no one bothered to attack him or his fellow believers, whom we mentioned in our previous articles to be at the most, is around 70 or 80 believers, let's say 100 to round up the number.

Then Mohammed moved from Mecca to Medina with his free will as we also mentioned in a previous article. Now he is claiming to receive this chapter in Medina. As some scholars claim Qur’an chapters 8 and 9 were the last two chapters Mohammad received from Allah. That is literally a good eight years after Muhammad left Mecca, roughly about one year before he returned to Mecca, or we can say two years or so before he died. And throughout all these years, Mohammed never faced any forces of any enemy to have to engage in war with. But it was Mohammed who always initiated the war with the infidels all the way until he died.

We never read in the word of Allah in the Qur’an, nor in the saying of Mohammed in the Hadith that some enemies, Jews, Christians, or idol worshippers started war against Mohammed. So obviously that verse cannot be read in that way. But you can only read it's accurate translation in my English translation which says, “O you who have believed when you meet (the word meet in the Arabic language means when you engage in war with) a group…” Notice there is no name here because there was not a specific group to be named. It is a general speech of Allah to let the Muslim believers know for future battles. Allah continued to say “… so hold firm and remember Allah much perhaps you will prosper.” And I love it how Allah used the word perhaps all over the Qur’an as we read here, “perhaps you will prosper.” If Allah is God, he should know if they will be prospered or not. We don't read about God in the Bible using the word perhaps as we read how Allah in the Qur’an, always uses the word perhaps.

Secondly, I was shocked to read AI quoting a verse from Qur’an chapter 8 because that should be the last chapter AI would ever quote because it directly goes against the hogwash or the propaganda which AI would love the people of the West to know about Islam. But here I see AI and the Muslims of the West making war as if it was the final necessary action Muslims have to take, that is when they inserted, “if fighting becomes necessary.” Wow. You mean Muslims can live in a place without fighting? Never heard of that. This never happened in the last 1460 years for Muslims always engage in war. If it is not against the infidels, then they war against each other.

AI quoted Qur’an 8:45 which once again states. “O you who have believed, when you meet (engage in war with) a group, so hold firm and remember Allah much, perhaps you will prosper.” Once again AI did not bother to read the interpretation of the scholars of Islam, but simply helped Allah and the Muslims of the West to continue to deceive the people of the West by adding once again the statement, “if fighting becomes necessary.” And now let me share with you the true interpretation of the scholar of Islam, Al Tabari, who never mentioned the phrase “if fighting becomes necessary” because he knows that is the mission which every Muslim believer has towards the infidels, as we will see clearly in his interpretation.

First of all, Al Tabari stated, “this is a definition from Allah to the people of faith in him, regarding the conduct in the war against his enemies from among the Infidels, and the actions that are hoped for from the believers when they meet the infidels, to achieve victory and triumph over them, when Allah says to them, ‘O you who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, when you meet the Infidels in Allah for war, stand firm in engaging in war with them and do not be defeated by them, nor turn your backs to them in flight, except for maneuvering to fight or retreating to a group of your own.’”

In Al Tabari interpretation for the statement, “and remember Allah much” he said that Allah meant call upon Allah to grant you victory over them and triumph against them, and let the remembrance of Allah permeate your hearts and your tongues. Al Tabari also interpreted the statement that “you may succeed” to mean so that you may attain success, thereby triumphing over your enemy, and that Allah may bestow upon you victory and triumph over them.

Then Al Tabari quoted Qatadah’s interpretation to the same verse to mean “that Allah has made the remembrance of him obligatory at the very moment the Muslim believers are most preoccupied during the clash of swords.”

That is why Muslim believers shout “Allah akbar” which means Allah is bigger when they perform jihad for the sake of Allah.

Al Tabari also quoted Ibn Ishaq who said, “So stand firm and remember Allah much, to mean remember Allah, for whose sake you have sacrificed your very selves, and fulfill your pledge regarding the oath of allegiance you have given Allah that you may succeed.”

So now we come to the conclusion which is the opposite of the claim of AI and the Muslims who live in the West. War in Islam is a necessity. Not an option because every Muslim believer must perform jihad to fulfill their duty and their allegiance to Allah.

For more information about Islam, visit www.thestraightway.org.  To debate information in this article, please call 941-223-3698.