JIHAD IN ISLAM: REBUTTAL TO IBN WARRAQ

Page 217 Warraq then goes onto Jihad in Islam. Jihad does not mean Holy War, it actually means struggle. Heres a hadith that proves it:

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri reported the Apostle of God as saying: “The best striving (Jihad) in the path of God is (to speak) a word of justice to an oppressive ruler” (Abu Dawud, hadith #4330)

So one can see that Jihad is struggle and does not mean war. As a matter of fact there is no holy war concept in Islam.

Warraq then rips verses out of context in order to prove his point. Here is one example. Warraq quotes the following Quranic verse:

But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. (Quran 9:5)

The part I underlined was the part he quoted in his book. Notice the complete distortion of the Quranic text. What I have quoted is the full verse of the Quranic verse. However one must read the following verse of the Quran in order to get a full scope of what the Quran is teaching:

If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge. (Quran 9:6)

One of the Pagans ask Prophet Muhammed or any other early Muslim, then they are told to grant it to him. It does not say kill the Pagan, rather it states grant him protection if he wants it.

Further verses Ibn Warraq quotes that promote “Holy war” as he says are: Quran 8:15-16, 9:39 and 4:74. Lets look further into them:

O ye who believe! when ye meet the Unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them. If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)- he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)! (Quran 8:15-16)

Again, this verse is speaking about the battles against the Quraysh. It is not talking about modern day non-Muslims. Plus according to the Abdullah Yousef Ali commentary, this could even be reffering to a spiritual fight instead of physical.

Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least. For Allah hath power over all things.( 9:39)

Nowhere in this verse is it speaking about fighing. Rarther its speaking about self defense as this verse points out:

Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves. (Quran 9:36). So this is speaking about the Pagans. It also states that Allah is with those who restrain themselves. So the Quran is speaking about self defense in these verses.

Regarding the last verse 4:74, it reads:

Let those fight in the cause of Allah Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah,- whether he is slain or gets victory - Soon shall We give him a reward of great (value).

Again, another verse telling self defense as these verses point out:

"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors. (The Noble Quran, 2:190)"
"But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in God: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things). (The Noble Quran, 8:61)"

"If thou dost stretch thy hand against me, to slay me, it is not for me to stretch my hand against thee to slay thee: for I do fear God, the cherisher of the worlds. (The Noble Quran, 5:28)"

Conclusions: Warraq really distorts to meaning of Jihad, and the so-called Jihad verses are quickly refuted as they incidate they were revealed at the time of war during the time of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) and do not reflect on waging war on society.