Why do Muslims accuse Christians of poor translation when they are the most guilty?

Question

Case in point:

The ever-controversial 9:29 says:
"Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of [Christians], until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." (Quran 9:29)

Every English translation says "fight" the non-believers. The arabic word used here is "Qatiloo," or "Kill." Fight and kill are two completely different words.

This is in the three most "reliable" and well-respected translations of the Quran. Is this an honest mistake, or are they trying to soften it up a bit for us westerners?

da man: I do speak arabic. That's why I pointed this out when no other Muslim did when they read it 40 times.

khalid: Are you serious? You are justifying a mistranslation by what you think it means in the context? How about you keep the words as is, and then leave it to the reader to read it in context rather than confusing the hell out of me and twisting the truths?

without a name: that link you posted is creeping me out. that dude looks like he's having a seizure/is possessed. and besides, who cares if you think his voice sounds good. what does that have to do with anything?

Sean D: Don't justify the Quran by attacking Christianity. Nevertheless, you are quoting Jewish law that is no longer relevant, but more like a history for us. Jesus said in Matt 5:17 that He came to fulfill the law, and therefore the Jewish laws of "this is forbidden" and "this is okay" became obsolete. This is another issue altogether though.

Why are people copying and pasting from websites? I didn't ask for a dissertation on Islamic history. It's a simple question.

Answer 1

i know Arabic and 'Qatiloo' literally means that... BUT in this verse it means fight BACK... not offesively but for defense...

Get your "respected" translation right

Answer 2

Personally, I see Christians as the ones with the most unstable scripture. At least the Qu'ran came from one, unified source, whereas the bible is kind of a collection of different peoples' fables.

Now, if one Qu'ran bible passage scares you, I offer you...

Deuteronomy 23 (Actually, you can find some bizarre nuggets all throughout the 20's in Deuteronomy)
Mark 16:17

Every group of scripture, be it the bible, the Quran, or another, always has some kind of... bizarre outlier. At one time, they were in effect, but remember that with time comes change.

It's not like people are following Deuteronomy 23:1 any more... Muslims probably aren't following Sura 9's 29.

Answer 3

Case in point:

The word Qatiloo does not simply mean "kill". The tense of the verb is a command and is an interactive one literally meaning to arrive killing opposite those who are also killing with the understanding that both groups are engaged in the killing. The meaning of the verb then is fight.

I have to agree with the scholars on this one. They have good sound reasoning for using the term fight but I think they could have been more clear without distorting the meaning.

Answer 4

Accuse christains? Well i couldn't recall any such accusation but yes we do "debate"! anyways!

the mistake is in undersatnding it !
These verses are talking of a treaty being signed between muslims and pagan arabs and there is a long story regaring this!

but this verses plus all other verses about "fight" in Quran are governed by the basic rule in 5:57 & 60:8-9.

[5:57] O you who believe, do not befriend those among the recipients of previous scripture who mock and ridicule your religion, nor shall you befriend the disbelievers. You shall reverence GOD, if you are really believers.

[60:8] GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.

[60:9] GOD enjoins you only from befriending those who fight you because of religion, evict you from your homes, and band together with others to banish you. You shall not befriend them. Those who befriend them are the transgressors

So if you "Fight" or "Kill" them makes the same meaning..when you would fight, you would obviously kill !
and same Quran says

2:191] You may kill those who wage war against you, and you may evict them whence they evicted you. Oppression is worse than murder. Do not fight them at the Sacred Masjid, unless they attack you therein. If they attack you, you may kill them. This is the just retribution for those disbelievers

[2:193] You may also fight them to eliminate oppression, and to worship GOD freely. If they refrain, you shall not aggress; aggression is permitted only against the aggressors

War in islam are defensive and it is well proven !but once you are attacked then we are asked o responce with full force..and isn't a practical fact? ever seen someone underattack who would love to give their place with smiling face Sir? islam look harsh and cruel to people becuase it talks of facts and does not wrap those facts in soft wrapping paper ..!

Answer 5

And if they incline towards peace, incline thou also towards it, and put thy trust in Allah. Surely, it is He Who is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

And fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress. Surely, Allah loves not the transgressors.

Holy Quran

As for the verse you have to understand it not just interpt it as you wish, Arab or non arab speaker. As for your verse i will interpet it for you.

Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.(Quran)

Allah enjoins upon the believers to fight against the disbelievers and the people of the book until they are subdued and agree to pay jizyah (the root meaning is compensation) with willing submission to live under the protection of Islam, enjoying personal liberty of conscience, free to profess and practice their own faith, not interfering with the preaching and progress of Islam. They were exempted from military service, therefore in effect jizyah was a nominal compensation paid by them in return for the protection of their property and lives for which the Islamic government was responsible .

It was a necessary step that had to be taken in view of the treacherous attitude of the Jews and the pagans who had been harassing and creating chaos all the time during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet. When defeated they readily made pacts to avoid the consequences of the defeat, but always jumped at every opportunity to kill the Holy Prophet and the believers and destroy the progress of Islam by breaking promises and covenants and hatching secret schemes.

Answer 6

first or all that is why we do not take translation literaly and second of all we have scholars who interpret it in arabic. we do not have priests alover the world interpreting it into 10's of languages. in order to disect the quran u have to be an expert in the arabic language. translations r on the side to guide us (muslims and non-muslims) that is why all muslims pray in arabic and read quran in arabic(with beautiful voices)..

Answer 7

really...lol, u donna know about arabic nor Qur'aan & claim u r an expert!!!
we should fight only those who fight us (otherwise, it would b a shame in any religion or tradition....someone attacking u; & u just smile!), even though, if they tend to peace, it is for them on NO conditions. even though, if they tried to deceive us, god asks us to give peace to them & leave Him guards us against their fraud (also in Qur'aan; go read it instead of ur e-mail)
NOW, WHAT IS UR OPINION???
N.B. Qatiloo is "fight" & NOT "kill" (the 2 completely different words u mentioned...lol)

Answer 8

if we take the meaning of the above verse exactly as said by u, then Muslims might have killed all the Christians in this world. But it did not happened, right!!!

so don't take the meaning of the above verse in ur own way & thoughts.

see the Roshni's answer... this is true

By the way, Light destroys Darkness...

since falsehood is bound to perish...

Answer 9

well if you do know arabic you would know that "Qatiloo" is "fight"
while "Iqtiloo" is "kill".
And therefore the translation is correct.:)

#I didn't see that "L Z" wrote the same thing.I agree with "L Z"

Answer 10

No my dear ..you are wrong.
Qatilo is Fight.
Iqtulo is Kill.
see they seem semilar 'cos of the same letters but they mean different things.