Page 119 - World Religions I - Islam

expelled from their homes in defiance of right, (for no cause) except that they say, 'Our
Lord is God.'" Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage) 22:39-40a
 Reward was promised to those who died in jihad.
• "Those who leave their homes in the cause of God, and are then slain or die, on them
will God bestow verily a goodly provision. Truly God is He who bestows the best
provision." - Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage) 22:58
o A few months after granting permission to fight in self-defense, a divine command made, upgrading
defensive fighting to a religious obligation. The Quraish were still the primary enemies at this stage, but
starting with the Battle of Uhud AD 625, the attention was also focused on the hypocrites (Arabs who
falsely claimed to be Muslims). At this beginning of this stage, the Jews were not considered enemies
since Muhammad expected them to accept him as a prophet like Moses (Surah 2:109). Towards the end
of this stage, however, Muhammad took up arms against the Jews.
 Fighting was culturally prohibited during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah (the month of Hajj).
• Allah excused fighting during the prohibited month, claiming that driving the
unbelievers from the Ka'aba was a more worthy effort.
• "Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing
which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But God knoweth,
and ye know not. They ask thee concerning fighting in the prohibited month. Say:
'Fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of God to prevent access
to the path of God, to deny Him, to present access to the sacred mosque [in Mecca],
and drive out its members.'" - Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:216
 Don't force those defeated to become Muslims, but if they reject Islam they will suffer in Hell.
• "Let there be no compulsion in religion... Of those who reject faith the patrons are the
Evil Ones. From light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be
companions of fire, to dwell therein (forever)." - Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:256-257
 The spoils of war belong to Allah and his apostle. A later revelation (8:38-42) dictated that a
fifth of the booty belonged to Allah and his apostle.
• "They ask thee concerning (things taken as) spoils of war. Say: '(Such) spoils are at the
disposal of God and the Apostle; so fear God, and keep straight the relations between
yourselves. Obey God and His Apostle, if ye do believe.'" - At-Tawba (Repentance) 8:1
 Cut the necks and fingers of those who oppose God and Muhammad.
• "Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): 'I am with you: give
firmness to the believers. I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. Smite ye
above their necks and smite all their fingertips off them. This because they contended
against God and His Apostle. If any contend against God and his Apostle, God is strict in
punishment ... O ye who believe!" - Al-Anfal (Spoils of War) 8:12-13
 Those who retreat in battle will end up in Hell.
• "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 God, and his abode is hell, an
evil refuge (indeed)!" - Al-Anfal (Spoils of War) 8:15-16
 Don't take prisoners until the land is subdued.
• "It is not fitting for an Apostle that he should have prisoners of war until he had
thoroughly subdued the land." - Al-Anfal (Spoils of War) 8:67
 Other verses centered prescribing jihad during the Medina Period: 2:190-194; 8:38-42, 45-46,
57-61, 65, 68-72; 47:4-6, 15; 3:152, 157, 165-167, 169-171, 195; 61:4, 11-13; 4:74-78, 84, 88-89,
90-91, 95-96, 100; 33:25-27, 50; 22:58-59, 78; 48:15-17, 22-24, 29; 66:9; 49:15. Promises in these
verses include: sure rewards for those who die in Allah's cause (with no rewards for the

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