Page 78 - Bigotry: The Dark Danger

Bigotry:
The Dark Danger

Examination of Verse 4 of Surah Muhammad:

Therefore when you meet in war those who

are unbelievers strike their necks. Then
when you have decimated them, tie their

bonds tightly and set them free or ransom
them, until the war is finally over. That

is how it is to be. If God willed, He could

avenge Himself on them. But it is so that
He can test some of you by means of oth-

ers. As for those who are killed in the
Way of God, He will not let their actions

go astray. (Qur'an, 47:4)

We need to first mention that, as is the case with the other vers-
es, this verse refers to a state of war in which polytheists start to
attack after terminating the agreement. Faced with an attack, there

exists no option for believers other than responding. However, the
phrase, "strike their necks", which exists in the English versions of
the Qur'an, does not exist in the original Arabic. The accurate trans-
lation is as follows:

Therefore when you meet in war those who are unbelievers
strike their headquarters of observation and command. Then

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