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Koran / Qur-án on War and Peace
Part II
----- Original Message -----
From: David
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 2:23 PM
Subject: Koran on War, Part II
The Koran
Speaks about Violence
Part II
Source: The Koran, translated by N. J. Dawood, 1966 revised
edition, Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England
Note: It is difficult to know the true meaning of any
foreign text after translation. There is much debate over the meaning of many phrases and even
letters used in the Koran. Nevertheless, the English translation reveals valuable information we
can use to form a general, or rather precise in some cases, view of the original meaning of the
Koran.
Note also before judging the Koran that many passages lend themselves to other
interpretations in its original tongue, which are not addressed in the present translation.
Introduction (excerpts):
Mohammed was born in Mecca about the year A.D. 570 and had come under the
influence of Jewish and Christian teachings. According to Muslim tradition, one night the Angel
Gabriel came to him and said: ³Recite!²
Mohammed, who disclaimed power to perform miracles, firmly believed that he was
the messenger of God, sent forth to confirm previous scriptures. God had revealed His will to the
Jews and the Christians through chosen apostles, but they disobeyed God¹s commandments and
divided themselves into schismatic sects.
Having thus gone astray, they must be brought back to the right path, to the
true religion preached by Abraham. This was Islam‹absolute submission or resignation to the will
of Allah.
But, owing to the fact that the kufic script in which the Koran was originally
written contained no indication of vowels or diacritical points, variant readings are recognized
by Muslims as of equal authority.
Man was created to be tested with afflictions:
p. 31 We created man to try him with afflictions.
p. 37 Know that we send down to the unbelievers devils who incite them to evil.
Therefore have patience: their days are numbered.
Man¹s deeds cause his own condemnation:
p. 56 Each soul is the hostage of its own deeds. . . .
p. 65 Men, it is your own souls that you are corrupting . . . to Us [the Gods]
you shall in the end return, and We will declare to you all that you have done.
p. 290 The Day of Reckoning is drawing near, yet the people heedlessly persist
in unbelief. They listen flippantly to each fresh warning that their Lord gives them: their hearts
are set on pleasure.
p. 293 We showed Moses and Aaron the distinction between right and wrong, and
gave them a light and an admonition for righteous men: those who truly fear their Lord and dread
the terrors of Judgment-day.
Going to war with believers:
[Note: ³Repentant² Christians, Jews & Muslims are classed among the ³believers.²
What that repentance is must remain for another discussion.]
p. 268 If two parties of believers take up arms the one against the other, make
peace between them. If either of them commits aggression against the other, fight against the
aggressors till they submit to Allah¹s judgment. When they submit make peace between them in
equity and justice; Allah loves those who act in justice.
The believers are a band of brothers. Make peace among your brothers and fear
Allah, so that you may be shown mercy.
272 Mohammed is Allah¹s apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the
unbelievers but merciful to one another.
p. 302 But if they give no heed to you, bear in mind that your mission is only
to give plain warning. [This appears to contradict p. 272. That doesn¹t mean it does.]
p. 352 There shall be no compulsion in religion.
p. 273 Yet to those of them who will embrace the Faith and do good works He has
promised forgiveness and a rich reward.
p. 378 Do not allow your hatred for other men to turn you away from justice.
p. 303 Allah . . . leaves in error whom He will and gives guidance to whom He
pleases. You shall be questioned about all your actions.
How Muslims are to conduct war with their enemies:
p. 121 When you meet the unbelievers in the battlefield strike off their heads
and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly. Then grant them their freedom or take
ransom from them, until War shall lay down her armour.
Thus shall you do. Had Allah willed, He could Himself have punished them; but He
has ordained it thus that He might test you, the one by the other.
As for those who are slain in the cause of Allah, He will not allow their works
to perish.
p. 124 We shall put you to the proof until We know the valiant and the resolute
among you and test all that is said about you. . . .
Those that disbelieve and debar others from Allah¹s path and in the end die
unbelievers shall not be shown forgiveness by Allah. Therefore do not falter or sue for peace when
you have gained the upper hand. Allah is on your side and will not grudge you the reward of your
labours.
p. 209 . . . do not kill except for a just cause (manslaughter is forbidden by
Him). . . .
Day of judgment will bring a monster to overtake sinners:
p. 86 Your Lord is bountiful to men: yet most of them do not give thanks. . . .
On the day when Our judgment overtakes them, We will bring out form the earth a
monster that shall speak to them. . . .
On that day there shall be gathered from every nation a multitude of those who
disbelieved Our revelations. They shall be led in separate bands before Allah. . . Those who have
done good shall be rewarded with what is better, and shall be secure form the terrors of that day.
p. 95 Had it been His will to scourge them for their sins, He would have
hastened their punishment; but He has set for them an appointed hour, which they shall never
escape.
And all those nations! We destroyed them when they did wrong; yet in their
imminent destruction We gave them warning.
p. 102 Allah will reward each soul according to its deeds. Swift is Allah¹s
reckoning.
When the sky will pour down blinding smoke:
p. 145 Wait for the day when the sky will pour down blinding smoke, enveloping
all men: a dreadful scourge. Then they will say: ³Lord, lift up this scourge from us. We are now
believers.² But how will their new faith help them, when an undoubted prophet had come to them
and they denied him, saying: ³A madman, taught by others!²
Yet if We slightly relieve their affliction they will return to unbelief. But on
that day We will inflict on them the sternest punishment and avenge Ourself.
p. 191 Evil has become rife on land and sea as a result of man¹s misdeeds.
Allah has ordained it thus for men, so that they may taste the fruit of their own works and mend
their ways.
p. 218 Yet men have divided themselves into different sects, each rejoicing in its own doctrines.
Leave them in their error till death overtakes them.
p. 220 Requite evil with good. We are fully aware of all their slanders. And
say: ³Lord, I seek refuge in You from the promptings of the devils. . . .
p. 221 Say: ³Lord, forgive and have mercy; You are the best of those that show mercy.²
p. 243 Say: ³My Lord has forbidden all indecent acts, whether overt or disguised, sin, and
wrongful oppression. . . .
p. 248 ³Do not squat in every road, threatening believers and debarring them
from the path of Allah, nor seek to make that path crooked.
p. 256 Most excellent are the names of Allah. Call on Him by His names and keep
away from those that pervert them. They shall be punished for their misdeeds.
p. 266 Intrigue is the work of Satan, who thereby seeks to annoy the faithful.
Allah wants all men to be united in His will:
p. 152 Allah is our Lord and your Lord. We [the Gods] have our own works and you
have yours; let there be no argument between us. Allah will bring us all together, for to Him we
shall return.²
p. 158 Requite evil with good, and he who is your enemy will become your dearest
friend. But none will attain this save those who endure with fortitude and are greatly favoured by
Allah.
p. 417 We sent forth apostles before you to other nations, and afflicted them
with calamities and misfortunes so that they might humble themselves.
--------end of part II--------
Go to Part I
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