I did not know the Holy Quran has a verse: 'Slay the pagans wherever you find them, seize them, beleaguer them, lie in wait for them with every stratagem.' (Quran 9:5)., although I read quite a lot on happenings in the Islamic world. If taken out of context (even if taken in context, I guess) this statement looks unambiguous.
Mr. Beg could not bring himself to condemn violence unequivocally in what would otherwise have been a nice article on outright condemnation of violence on innocents. The title 'Islam does not sanction violence' should have dwelt just on that. Citing the issues of injustice to Muslims in the same article shows Mr. Beg has succumbed to the 'root cause' effect that he so elaborately mentions. All this 'root cause' thing could have come in a different article.
RE:Islam and Violence
by a muslim on Sep 01, 2005 11:55 AM Permalink
'Slay the pagans wherever you find them, seize them, beleaguer them, lie in wait for them with every stratagem.' (Quran 9:5)., is followed by :
" If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge. " (Quran 9:6)..
i hope this makes it all the more unambigous... Quran exhorts people to fight only when they r faced by an aggressor. Otherwise, it asks forgiveness and love to be showered on all.
tell me one context where it makes sense
by srinath on Sep 02, 2005 03:26 PM Permalink
Mr Beig, Tell me in what context the following statement would suite/justfied.
"Slay the non-beleivers wherever you find them, seize them, beleaguer them, lie in wait for them with every stratagem."
