The Qur'an

[katieval]

It is clear from what is constantly reported in the British media that Islam is a tolerant and peaceful religion. However, a minority find verses in the Qur'an to justify "jihad" in the way of Muhammad and to please Allah.

I'm sure the Qur'an contains tens of thousands of words and that the verses that the jihadists use as justification for fighting a "holy war" make-up a tiny percentage of the entire works, that have been taken out of context.

Anyone on here studied the Qur'an in any detail and knows whether this is true?

[PurpleStorm]

No idea.

But did you know that Mumsnet has a Philosophy / Religion / Spirituality section?

Someone over there might know more.

[KateSMumsnet]

Morning everyone,

As PurpleStorm suggested, we're going to move this thread to our Religion topic, as we think you'll get the best response there.

[Hanikam]

Here is Syrah 109 from the Quran, which you won't find quoted by Islamists or Jihadists

"Say: Oh you that reject faith!
I worship not that which you worship
Nor will you worship that which I worship
And I will not worship that which you have been worshipping
Nor will you worship that which I worship
To you be your Way, and to me mine"

Also Surah 5' v69
"Those who believe in the Quran
Those who follow the Jewish Scriptures
And the Sabians and the Christians
Any who believe in Allah
And the Last Day,
And work righteousness
On them shall be no fear,
Nor shall they grieve"

And Surah 10 v99
" If it had been the Lord's will, they would have all believed,
All who are on earth!
Will you then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!"

Hope this helps. I am no scholar, but I do believe that all holy texts can be twisted by evil minded people to support whatever cause they are promoting.

[katieval]

Thank you for your messages, and moving the thread to the correct section!

I've not read the Qur'an in any detail but I've come across quotes in the past that have concerned me, such as:

And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah.
Qur?an 2:190-193

O ye who believe! Fight the unbelievers who gird about, and let them find firmness in you: and know that Allah is with those who fear Him:
Qur?an 9:123

God is most high and most glorious. We are not equal. Our dead are in paradise; your dead are in hell.

And I wondered whether they actually came from Qur'an or if they are parts of it that have be twisted in order to justify Jihad.

[Hanikam]

CrescentMoon there are those who say we don't need anything except the Quran, or the Quran is the answer for everything. Well, err, actually not cos as you say, many verses refer to a specific event in an oblique way. And interpretations have changed over time, often for politically expedient reasons.

Quoting anything out of context is very dubious and usually libellous in RL, but not when it comes to religion! Anything goes from the rent - a-quote "Sheikhs"!

[katieval]

Hi Crescent Moon,

the quotes I provided are ones that I have seen in the media which have apparently come direct from "fundamentalists". Translations can vary from source to source so it is very easy for one person to take a different meaning from the same text. From the full transcript you provided I'd say that someone could use them as justification for Jihad is they so wished.

For example, verse 191 could be taken as to mean that land that was once Muslim (I.E. Spain for a period until the 15th Century) should become Muslim again and that in order to achieve that killing in the name of Allah is justified.

However, my aim in starting this thread was to find out how often, if ever, verses of this nature appear in the Qur'an, and how they are interpretated in modern Islam.

[Hanikam]

crescentmoon thank you for the links.
Where would you recommend a beginner to make a start with Hadith?

[Hanikam]

Thank you sooo much CrescentMoon!

There's some great links here which I will enjoy in peace this evening IA.

That verse katieval quoted is so often taken out of context. It was doing the rounds on Twitter yesterday, minus the "but if they cease" part.

I'm sure there is a Quranic verse against those who deliberately twist words but I can't remember where it is.

Quoting half a quote is like saying "la illah ha" - there is no God
Without adding "illAllah" - except Allah

In other-words, misleading, dangerous, and downright trickery. It's when people who should know better search for a juicy bit of to text to give credence to their own point of view. They use the Quran like a pik n mix, taking what they want and ignoring the rest. And we, the naive and trusting, listen to the sheikhs and scholars, believing them to be more knowledgeable than us.

I'm not saying they are all a bunch of crooks, just pointing out that even a goat can grow a long beard!