Dear Ex- Muslim Ahmed.. Read if u have time & really want answer 4ur question..
Thanks
1. "And slay them wherever ye catch them." (Al-Baqarah: 191)
2. "But if they turn away, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks” (An-Nisa': 89)
Shedding more light on this issue is critical to a better understanding of Islam.
There are two primary sources of Islamic belief.
1. The Qur’an, the revealed word of God.
2. The Hadeeth, which are the sayings or actions of Prophet Muhammad.
In addition, three factors are essential for understanding the verses in the Qur’an:
Textual context of the verse within the Qur’an.
The historical context.
The manner in which the Prophet Muhammad implemented the verse.
For example, here is the first verse noted above in the appropriate Qur’anic textual context:
Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, kill them. Such is the reward of those who reject faith. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves. (Al-Baqarah: 190-194)
And the second verse frequently cited out of context by critics occurs in the following series of verses:
They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): so take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (from what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks. Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. If Allah had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you: therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (guarantees of) peace, then Allah hath opened no way for you (to war against them). Others you will find that wish to gain your confidence as well as that of their people: every time they are sent back to temptation, they succumb thereto; if they withdraw not from you nor give you (guarantees) of peace besides restraining their hands, seize them and slay them wherever ye get them; in their case We have provided you with a clear argument against them." (An-Nisa: 89-91)
An understanding of the historical context of these verses is also critical. Muslims believe that these verses were revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, at the time when Muslims were attacked by the non-Muslims of Mecca on a regular basis. The Meccans wanted to kill the Muslims and stop the rise of Islam in Medinah. These verses do not grant permission for violence, but they are a warning against those who seek to instigate violence and oppression against the Muslims. Note that even in these warnings, restraint and caution are emphasized to the Muslims.
The third factor to keep in mind is how each verse was implemented at the time of Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet implemented these verses in the following manner: The intention must be pure, meaning those with personal agendas were not allowed to fight. The war was declared by a legitimate authority (Prophet Muhammad). War was a last resort. There existed an openness among Muslims to respond to just peace initiatives--even during the battle. The Prophet spared non-combatants and refrained from destruction of homes, trees, or resources needed by Meccans to survive. In addition, the Prophet gave and ordered his followers to give humane treatment of the injured and prisoners of war.
Finally, what does the Qur’an say about murder?
"Take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus does He command you, that ye may learn wisdom." (Al-An`am: 151).
Also, "Nor take life, which Allah has made sacred, except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas [retribution] or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the law)" (Al-Isra: 33).
According to the Qur’an, killing any person without a just cause is as enormous a sin as killing the whole of humanity, and saving the life of one person is as good a deed as saving the whole of humanity.
As can clearly be seen from the above examples, the Qur’an does not "promote" or glorify violence. Islam is a religion that preaches peaceful co-existence between communities, nations and tribes. Historically, Islam has shown tolerance to all religions and communities in its midst and around. Whatever evidence Islamophobes cite to legitimize their hatred of Islam can easily be shown to be deceptive and false when examined within the appropriate textual and historical context.
Another example that has started circulating around is the verse:
“ O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends [Awliyaa]; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.” [5:51]
Textual context: Immediately preceding verses [41-50] speak about those who claim to be Jews yet there are not true believers in heart and action [41-42], who reject even the rulings of their own Torah [43], and who generally fail to judge according to God's directives in the Torah [44-46]. Likewise, it applies to those Christians who fail to judge according to the Gospel [47]. Verses 49-50 condemns those who attempted to beguile the Prophet from ruling according to what was revealed to him and prefer a judgment other than what God has revealed.
The verse immediately after 5:51 connect this verse with those Muslims in whose heart there is disease and who seek alliance with such people only to protect their vested interest and out of rear of loss if Muslims become the "losers."
A few verses later, the same injunction is repeated with the clarification that such people cannot be trusted as protectors because they took Islam for "a mockery or sport" [57-58]. The same basic term relating to "Awliyaa' " appears also in the context of those who fight against Muslims so as to undermine Islam or drive Muslims out of their homes. [60:9]
Historical context: The whole section deals with specific events at the time of the prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him] that uncovered the false claim to faith by people in question. Details are available in historical sources.
Linguistic context: The original Qur'anic Arabic term "Awliyaa' "is often translated as "friends." The correct translation is "protectors" not only friends. The correct meaning then is "do not depend for your security matters on others [especially those mentioned above, who pay lip service to their own scriptures].
Broader context: A common mistake in the interpretation of the Qur'an is to ignore other texts related to the same topic. The same Qur'an praises kind, sincere and responsive Christians [5:82-86]. The condemnation is for those "who reject faith and belie [God's] signs" [86].
The same chapter allows, not only friendship with sincere "people of the book" but also some forms of interfaith marriage [5:5]. Obviously marital relationship is more intimate than mere "friendship" and is described in the Qur'an as that of "tranquility, love and mercy" [30:21]. The same Qur'an teaches also commands just and kind treatments of non-Muslims who dwell in peace with Muslims [60:8-9].
It is clear that any allegation that the Qur'an teaches violence and religious hatred is totally unfounded and violate the textual, historical, linguistic and broader context of the Qur'anic teachings and amounts to serious distortions of its teachings.
