How would you interpret Sura 2 verse 194 from the Quran?

Question

I'm not sure what the first sentence means, it seems jibberish. However for the second sentence, I interpret it as a mandate to use the same technique of your attackers against your attackers. They hit me, I hit them. They kill me, I kill them. They stone me, I stone them. They shoot me, I shoot them. Note that you aren't allow to choose whether you should strike back or not, but you are commanded/obligated/mandated to strike back as implied in the 2nd sentence and stated more explicitly in the next sentence. Therefore the vindicative nature of this verse is evident, which begs the question, Why would God wants people to be vindicative? Is such a quality divine?

002.194

The forbidden month for the forbidden month, and forbidden things in retaliation. And one who attacketh you, attack him in like manner as he attacked you. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is with those who ward off (evil).

"In a footnote, Ali construes this to refer to a prohibition of war during Dhu al Hijjah, the Haj season, but self-defense is allowable. The language is cumbersome at best; if it is clearer in the original Arabic, the translators have not managed to carry it over."

So, Ali is saying that war is strictly prohibited during the months of Haj except in self defense? So in other months, it is okay to attack others first? I thought aggression of any kind should not be allowed at any time unless it be for self defense. However, the verse does not just say self defense, but instructs you on how to go about attacking those that attack you, specifically using the same method your enemies use on them. Why is God so specifically picky on the method of "self defense"?

Answer 1

If you read Qura'n with positive thinking you will find all positive messages.

If you see verse 191, 193, 194,
Allah says, do not transgress and do good as mentioned many places in Qura'n it self.
If oponent wants peace give them peace.

Further I will recomond you to know background of this Surah as well, so we can understand in what conditions God Almighty wants to teach and what God Almighty wants us to learn.

Answer 2

The Yusuf Ali translation reads: "The prohibited month -- for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited -- there is the law of equality. If then anyone transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves."

In a footnote, Ali construes this to refer to a prohibition of war during Dhu al Hijjah, the Haj season, but self-defense is allowable. The language is cumbersome at best; if it is clearer in the original Arabic, the translators have not managed to carry it over.

Answer 3

Here are 3 recognised authorities who's translations of the Holy Quraan in English are widely accepted as authentic translations of the Arabic text.


002.194
YUSUF ALI: The prohibited month for the prohibited month,- and so for all things prohibited,- there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, Transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.
PICKTHAL: The forbidden month for the forbidden month, and forbidden things in retaliation. And one who attacketh you, attack him in like manner as he attacked you. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is with those who ward off (evil).
SHAKIR: The Sacred month for the sacred month and all sacred things are (under the law of) retaliation; whoever then acts aggressively against you, inflict injury on him according to the injury he has inflicted on you and be careful (of your duty) to Allah and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).

Answer 4

To understand this verse you should read the whole subject, and it starts with the verse 190, all of this deals with "Those who fight you."
Hope I helped you

After additional details
That's why I always say to have a better understanding of the Qur'aan, one should either understand Arabic, or take an Arabic dictionary along with a translation.

Answer 5

Sura Al-Imran; ayah 7 (Quran 3:7)
He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are not of well-established meaning. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is not of well-established meaning. Seeking discord, and searching for its interpretation, but no one knows its true meanings except Allah, and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole of it is from our Lord"; and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.

Answer 6

Turn in that book of garbage for the book of truth. Pick up a bible and learn the truth word of God.