Why did Allah, in the Quran, command Muhammad to "strive hard against" the unbelievers who did no wrong?

Question

Surah At-Tahrim (Banning Prohibition) is a short chapter in the Quran. Theres no hiding the ball here guys. Link. http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/066.qmt.html

Quran 66:09 YUSUFALI: O Prophet! Strive hard against the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed).

Ok, so if you read the short chapter, you see that theres no reference to unbelievers who attack Muslims. Nope, Muhammad is is to "strive hard against" them. Why? Just cause they are not Muslim, for no other reason.

Ok, so, for no other reason, other than the fact that they havent yet adopted this fledgling religion that they couldnt possibly know about yet, Allah commands Muhammad to strive hard and be firm "against them".

If you were a non-muslim in that time, and Muhammad was fighting you or is "against you" simply because you werent Muslim, would that lead you to Islam? Allah's a pretty fair God isnt he? Why not the 'honey' approach?

Answer 1

This should be in religion

Answer 2

Strive and fight are NOT synonymous, why are books like the Quran and the Bible which have been abridged and interpreted many times over to mean everything except what is written on their pages -- used to justify the actions of one people against another usually to the detriment of both?

How does this keep happening?

Strive in this context seems to mean "NOT to be influenced by" the unbelievers which would be a good idea for any group intent upon keeping its followers together and under the same ideals. Strive not to be influenced.

Answer 3

Some Muslim Scholars would disagree with Corygraph

Confirmation that Judaism and Christianity are Forms of Disbelief
[Answer By Shaikh Ibn Uthaimin]
QUESTION: One of the preachers in one of the mosques in Europe claimed that it is not allowed to consider Jews and Christians disbelievers. You know - may Allah preserve you - that most of the people who attend the mosques in Europe have very little knowledge. We fear that statements like this one will become widespread. Therefore, we request from you a complete and clear answer to this question.
ANSWER: I say: The statement that came from that man is misguidance. In fact, it can be blasphemy. This is because Allah has declared that Jews and Christians are disbelievers in His Book. Allah has said, "And the Jews say, 'Ezra is the son of Allah,' and the Christians say, 'The Messiah is the son of Allah.' This is a saying from their mouths. They imitate the saying of the disbelievers of old. Allah's curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth. They took their rabbis and their monks as lords besides Allah and [they also took as Lord] the Messiah, son of Mary. But they were commanded only to worship none but One God. Praise and Glory be to Him, [far above is He] from having the partners they associate with Him." [at-Taubah 9:30-31]
http://www.islamworld.net/jewnon.html

Also 5:32 is often sanitized fo western comsumption. Here is the whole thing followed by 5:33

5:32 For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for OTHER THAN MANSLAUGHTER OR CORRUPTION IN THE EARTH, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), but afterwards lo! many of them became prodigals in the earth.
Whoever saves the life of one, it is as if he had saved the life of all.
5:33 The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom;

Many scholars consider CORRUPTION IN THE EARTH any un-islamic behavior.

Answer 4

First, you're confusing "non-believer" with "non-Muslim".

According to the Quran, both Jews and Christians count as "believers", since they believe in the same ultimate God.

Non-believers, those who refuse to acknowledge God, or those who betray their beliefs, are a threat because they deny God. And because they deny that God exists, they cannot be in harmony with God's will. Hence the need to strive hard against them.

The Quran was warning against atheists and polytheists, not members of other monotheistic religions like Judaism or Christianity.

Answer 5

This is a religious question. If you really expected an answer to it you would have posted it in the religion section. Are you just showing off your knowledge of the Quran?

Answer 6

Anybody can take something out of context.


"And if you punish, you shall inflict an equivalent punishment. But if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it would be better for the patient ones." (16:26)

"...anyone who kills any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he killed all the people. And anyone who spares a life, it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people..." (5:32)

"Exempt those who join a people with whom you have concluded a peace treaty, and those who come to you with hearts unwilling to fight you, nor to fight their relatives. Had God willed, he could have placed them in power over you and they would have made war on you. Therefore, if they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then God gives you no way to go against them." (4:90)

"Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress limits. Lo! Allah loves not aggressors. ...And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against transgressors." (2:190, 193)

Kill them whenever you confront them and drive them out from where they drove you out. (For though killing is sinful) wrongful persecution is even worse than killing. Do not fight against them near the Holy Mosque unless they fight against you; but if they fight against you kill them, for that is the reward of such unbelievers. 2:191

Answer 7

Because all ancient religious texts are out of date. Its the responsibility of the followers to realize this and adapt.



The Bible tells me to marry my brothers sister if he dies.....these are out of date customs that were interwoven with moral messages. The message was to take care of your family..

Answer 8

Can we please have a political section without interference of religious fanatics trying to impose their views. We need this section to discuss politics not worry about Mohammed. This is where I come when I want to forget about the treats of terrorism to this country so can you do us a favor and go to the futility section we are trying to make some sense out of what this country is going through, so please leave us alone.

Answer 9

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=6550&R