Dave Andrews

One verse which needs to be carefully (re)interpreted in terms of the text, the language, the meaning it had for the people at the time it was written, and the meaning it has for people reading it in today’s world, in the light of the Bismillah, is the (in)famous ‘sword verse’ which instructs Muslims to ‘slay’ Christians: ordering them ‘to slay those who ascribe divinity to aught but God, wherever you may come upon them’.(9:5)

Rane says ‘this verse along with Quran 9:29 (which says ‘fight those from among the People of the Book who believe neither in God, nor in the Last Day, nor hold as unlawful what God and his Messenger have declared to be unlawful, nor follow the true religion, until they…agree to submit’) has been quoted throughout Muslim history to justify aggression and aggressive wars against non-Muslims because of their “unbelief’”’.

‘Asad explains that this verse should be read in conjunction with those that precede it. (In 9:5 it says ‘As for those who have honoured the treaty you made with them, and have not supported anyone against you: fulfill your agreement with them to the end of their term.’ God loves those who are righteous.’) Of central importance is that these verses were revealed in the context of “warfare already in progress with people who (had) become guilty of a breach of treaty obligation and of aggression”. That non-Muslims are to be fought because of their unbelief rather than their act of aggression is doubtful given that (verse 9:5 continues ‘if they repent, and take to prayer regularly and pay alms, then let them go their way. God is forgiving and merciful’ and) verse 9:6 commands the Muslims to give protection and security to those among the enemy who seek it. If their unbelief was the basis of fighting against them, this provision would be nonsensical.’

Dave Andrews p100-1 The Jihad Of Jesushttp://bit.ly/1CedNDX