Let There be no Compulsion in Religion: Difference between revisions

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This article analyzes the apologetic claim that [[The Holy Qur'an: Al-Baqara (The Heifer)|Surah al-Baqara]] (the Heifer) advocates freedom of and from religion.

==Qur'an==

{{Quote|1=[http://altafsir.com/asbabalnuzol.asp?soraname=2&ayah=256&search=yes&img=a&languageid=2 The reasons for the descent of the verse number (256) of Sura (The Cow)]<BR>Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi, trans. Mokrane Guezzou|2=Al-Suddi said: “This verse was revealed about a man from the Helpers called Abu'l-Husayn. This man had two sons. It happened that some traders from Syria came to Medina to sell oil. When the traders were about to leave Medina, the two sons of Abu'l-Husayn called them to embrace Christianity. These traders converted to Christianity and then left Medina. Abu'l-Husayn informed the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, of what had happened. He asked him to summon his two sons. But then Allah, exalted is He, revealed (There is no compulsion in religion…). The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, said: 'May Allah banish both of them. They are the first to disbelieve'. This was before the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, was commanded to fight the people of the Book. But then Allah's saying (There is no compulsion in religion…) was abrogated and the Prophet was commanded to fight the people of the Book in Surah Repentance”.}}

{{Quote|1=[http://kitaabun.com/shopping3/product_info.php?products_id=168 Tafsir Al-Qurtubi: Classical Commentary of the Holy Qur'an V.1]<BR>Translated by Aisha Bewley,Dar Al-Taqwa Ltd., 2003, pp. 659-661|2=Scholars disagree and hold various positions regarding the legal status and meaning of this ayat.

• It is said that it was related about the captives who were People of the Book. They are not compelled when they are adults. '''If they are Magians, young or old, or idolaters, they are compelled to adopt Islam because their captivity does not help them when they are idolaters'''. Do you not see that their sacrifices are not eaten nor their women married. That is what Ibn al-Qasim reported from Malik. Ashhab said that children are considered to have the din of those who captured them. If they refuse that, they are compelled to become Muslim.''' Children have no din and that is why they are compelled to enter Islam so that they do not go to a false din'''. '''When other types of unbelievers pay the jizya, they are forced to become Muslim''', whether they are Arabs or non-Arabs, Quraysh or otherwise. This will be dealt with in Surat at-Tawba.}}

{{Quote|[http://www.amazon.com/Quran-Its-Interpreters-Mahmoud-Ayoub/dp/0791465225 The Qur’an and it Interpreters]<BR>Mahmoud M. Ayoub, SUNY Press, 1984, Volume I, pp. 253-254|Mujahid said, "This was before the Apostle of God was commanded to fight against the People of the Book. God’s saying, ‘There is no compulsion in religion’ was abrogated and he was commanded to fight against the People of the Book in Surat Bara‘ah" (Q. 9:29). (Wahidi, pp. 77-78) … According to other traditions, the verse was revealed in reference to the People of the Book, who should not be compelled to enter Islam so long as they pay jizyah (poll tax). The verse is, therefore, not abrogated. Tabari relates on the authority of Qatadah, "Arab society was compelled to enter Islam because they were an unlettered community [ummah ummiyah], having no book which they knew. Thus nothing other than Islam was accepted from them. The people of the Book are not to be compelled to enter Islam if they submit to paying the jizyah or kharaj [land tax]." The same view is related on the authority of al-Dahhak, Mujahid, and Ibn ‘Abbas (Tabari, V. pp. 413-414). Tabari agrees with this view and asserts that the verse applies to the people of the two Books (Jews and Christians) and the Zoroastrians (Majus)… Qurtubi relates yet another view which asserts, "It was in reference to captives who, if they are of the People of the Book, are not to be compelled if they are adults; but if they are Zoroastrians or idolators, be they old or young, they shall be forced to accept Islam. This is because their master could not benefit from them if they were idolators." Qurtubi adds, "Do you not see that animals slaughtered by them would be unlawful to eat and their women could be married [to Muslims]? They practise the eating of carrion and other such unclean things. Thus their master would find them unclean and therefore it would be difficult to benefit from them as his slaves. Hence, it becomes lawfull for him to compel them" (Qurtubi, II, p. 280; see also Shawkani, I, p. 275).}}

{{Quote|[http://www.answering-islam.org/Responses/Menj/taqiyyah.htm An-Nasikh wal-Mansukh]<BR>Al-Nahas, p. 80|the scholars differed concerning Q. 2:256. Some said: 'It has been abrogated [cancelled] for the Prophet compelled the Arabs to embrace Islam and fought them and did not accept any alternative but their surrender to Islam. The abrogating verse is Q. 9:73 'O Prophet, struggle with the unbelievers and hypocrites, and be thou harsh with them.' Mohammad asked Allah the permission to fight them and it was granted. Other scholars said Q. 2:256 has not been abrogated, but it had a special application. It was revealed concerning the people of the Book [the Jews and the Christians]; they can not be compelled to embrace Islam if they pay the Jizia (that is head tax on free non-Muslims under Muslim rule). It is only the idol worshippers who are compelled to embrace Islam and upon them Q. 9:73 applies. This is the opinion of Ibn 'Abbas which is the best opinion due to the authenticity of its chain of authority.}}

{{Quote|[http://jarirbooksusa.com/2581.html Mabaheth Fi 'Ulum al-Qur'an]<BR>Sobhy as-Saleh, Dar al-'Ilm Lel-Malayeen, Beirut, 1983, p. 269|[Referring to 2:256 and 9:73] The command to fight the infidels was delayed until the Muslims become strong, but when they were weak they were commanded to endure and be patient.}}

{{Quote|[http://islamqa.com/en/ref/34770 There is no compulsion to accept Islam]<BR>Islam Q&A, Fatwa No.34770|Praise be to Allaah.   

==See Also==

==External Links==