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as evidence for love and peace in Islam, AI later acknowledged the doctrine of abrogation, stating that this verse is superseded by Qur’an 9:5, which commands engaging in war.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.
For more information about Islam, visit www.thestraightway.org. To debate information in this article, please call 941-223-3698.