Koran / Qur-an on War and Peace -- Part I

Subject: Re: The Koran speaks about War

What does the Koran say about how Muslims should act towards their enemies? I was surprised to find that all Muslims believe the Bible as the Word of Allah. That includes the New Testament doctrine of seeking peace and showing mercy. (See Part Two for quotes showing the opposite point-of-view.) Quotes supporting Jesus and Moses are given below. However, for those who attack innocent Muslims, the Koran requires very harsh reprisals according to, or in some cases not according to, the Law of Moses, and not showing mercy as Jesus asked for those who carried out his death sentence (and, apparently, ONLY for the participating soldiers). David P.S. Feel free to use this to help dispel prejudice. How could true Muslims justify killing innocent people? Below we see that Mohammed DID NOT approve of murder. In fact, he approved of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, as the word of Allah, (the Gods, identified in the Koran as łwe˛).

The Koran Speaks about Violence, Part I

Source: The Koran, translated by N. J. Dawood, 1966 revised edition, Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England Introduction: The Koran is the earliest and by far the finest work of Classical Arabic prose. For Muslims it is the infallible word of God, a transcript of a tablet preserved in heaven, revealed to the Prophet Mohammed by the Angel Gabriel. Except in the opening verses and some few passages in which the Prophet or the Angel speaks in the first person, the speaker throughout is God. Both Christian and Jewish scriptures accepted as the word of God: p. 129 We [the Gods] gave the Scriptures to the Israelites and bestowed on them wisdom and prophethood. On the Day of Resurrection your Lord Himself will judge their differences. p. 152 Therefore call men to the true faith.say: ŚI believe in all the scriptures that Allah has revealed. I am commanded to exercise justiceą Mohammed preaches the Golden Rule of Jesus: 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. Muslims and Christians and Jews are to be treated courteously: p. 196 Be courteous when you argue with the People of the Book [Bible], except with those among them who do evil. Say: ŚWe believe in that which is revealed to us and which was revealed to you. Our God and your God is one . . .˛ [Note of logic: Therefore, faithful Muslims and Christians consider themselves brothers, i.e., family.] p. 220 Requite evil with good. All nations have Godąs apostles: p. 234 The day will surely come when We shall summon every nation with its apostle. Those who are given their books in their right hands will read their recorded doings, and shall not in the least be wronged. p. 243 Say: ŚMy Lord has forbidden all indecent acts, whether overt or disguised, sin, and wrongful oppression. . . . Children of Adam, when apostles of your own come to proclaim to you My revelations, those that take warning and mend their ways will have nothing to fear or to regret . . . . Muslims believe that Allah will remove hatred from all good people: p. 244 As for those that have faith and do good works . . . We shall take away all hatred from their hearts. p. 248 ŚIf there are some among you who believe in my message and others who disbelieve it, be patient until Allah shall judge between us. He is the best of judges.ą p. 252 [Note: all faithful Muslims will believe the Law of Moses as coming from Allah:] And when [Mosesą] Lord revealed Himself . . . Moses fell down senseless, and when he came to himself said: ŚGlory be to You! Accept my repentance. I am the first of believers.ą He said: ŚI have chosen you of all mankind to make known My messages and My commandments. Take therefore what I have given you, and be thankful.ą Allah wants Muslims to be kind toward those who are kind to them: p. 262 Allah does not forbid you to be kind and equitable to those who have neither made war on your religion nor driven you from your homes. Allah loves the equitable. Allah is forgiving and merciful. p. 305 To those who commit evil through ignorance and afterwards repent and mend their ways your Lord is forgiving and merciful. Retribution must equal the offense and no more: p. 306 If you punish, let your punishment be proportionate to the wrong that has been done you. But it shall be best for you to endure your wrongs with patience. p. 309 Tell the unbelievers that if they mend their ways their past shall be forgiven. . . . p. 313 If an idolater seeks asylum with you, give him protection so that he may hear the Word of Allah, and then convey him to safety. . . . So long as they keep faith with you, keep faith with them. Allah loves the righteous. Those who live their religion (the innocent) will have nothing to fear from those who believe Mohammed: p. 330 Believers, Jews, Christians, and Sabaeans‹whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does what is right‹shall be rewarded by their Lord; they have nothing to fear or to regret. p. 333 Can you believe in one part of the Scriptures and deny another? Koran/Bible sent from God to settle all disputes and unite mankind: p. 345 Mankind were once one nation. Then Allah sent forth prophets to give them good news and to warn them, and with these He sent down the Book with the truth, that it might judge the disputes of men. Showing mercy when offenses come atones for oneąs own sins: p. 382 In the Torah We decreed for them a life for a life, an eye for an eye . . . But if a man charitably forbears from retaliation, his remission shall atone for him. Transgressors are those that do not judge in accordance with Allahąs revelations. p. 398 To those who have received the Scriptures and to the Gentiles say: ŚWill you surrender yourselves to Allah?ą If they become Muslims they shall be rightly guided; if they give no heed, then your only duty is to warn them. Law of Moses holds for the Muslims too; Koran given to show the people mercy: p. 428 To Moses We gave the Scriptures, a perfect code for the righteous, with precepts about all things, and a guide and a blessing, so that his people might believe in the ultimate meeting with their Lord. And now We have revealed this Book with Our blessings. Observe it and keep from evil, so that you may find mercy and not say: ŚThe Scriptures were revealed only to two sects before us [Jews and Christians]; we have no knowledge of what they readą; or ŚHad the Scriptures been revealed to us we would have been better guided than they.ą

Koran / Qur-án on War and Peace

Part I