Optimism

Submitted by Solomon Taragano (Israel), Sep 7, 2010 at 19:20

Dr.Pipes, I hope you are right in your optimisim about "moderate Islam"

The Quran includes instructions for its own spread.

Surah Al-Anfal 39 commands Muslims to fight pagans until only Allah is worshiped in the whole world. Surah At-Taubah 29 commands them to wage war against Jews & Christians until they are subjugated and submit to extortion. Those commands are mandatory, not optional. Islamic law requires a minimum of one or two military expeditions against disbelievers in every year. You can find that requirement stated in Reliance of the Traveller, Book o9.1. After detailing the communal obligation, it states the requirement somewhat obliquely.

If none of those concerned perform jihad, and it does not happen at all, then everyone who is aware that it is obligatory is guilty of sin, if there was a possibility of having performed it. In the time of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) jihad was a communal obligation after his emigration (hijra) to Medina. As for subsequent times, there are two possible states in respect to non-Muslims.

The first is when they are in their own countries, in which case jihad (def: o9.8) is a communal obligation, and this is what our author is speaking of when he says, "Jihad is a communal obligation," meaning upon the Muslims each year. [Emphasis added.]

A ruling by the jurist behind that school of Islamic law makes it abundantly clear, leaving nothing to the imagination.

"The least that the imam must do is that he allow no year to pass without having organised a military expedition by himself, or by his raiding parties, according to the Muslims' interest, so that the jihad will only be stopped in a year for a (reasonable) excuse." [Emphasis added.]

Muslims and their apologists will deny that Islam was spread by the sword. But any Islamic history will tell you otherwise. Hilali & Khan, in their footnote to 2:190, make the fact abundantly clear.

..."By Jihâd Islâm is established, Allâh's Word is made superior, (His Word being Lâ ilaha illallâh which means none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), and His Religion (Islâm) is propagated."... [Emphasis added.]

Muhammad dictated extortion letters to his scribes and sent them to various regional kings & emperors. When the letters were rejected, he sent his army. One of those letters, to the rulers of Aqaba, is relatively explicit, others leave more to the imagination.

In the name of ALLAH the compassionate, the Merciful

From Muhammad, Prophet of Allah

To the People of Aqaba

May peace be on you. I praise Allah who is one and except whom there is nobody else to be worshipped.

I do not intend to wage war against you till you receive my written reason for it. It is better for you, either to accept Islam or agree to pay Jiziya and consent to remain obedient to Allah, His prophet and his messengers. My messengers deserve honour. Treat them with respect. Whatever pleases my messengers, will also please me.

These people have been informed of the orders about Jiziya. If you desire that there should be peace and security in the world, obey Allah and His Prophet. Thereafter none in Arabia and Ajam (Iran) shall dare cast an evil eye on you. But the rights of Allah and His Prophet can at no time be waived.

If you do not accept these terms and set them aside, I do not need your presents and gifts. In that case, I shall have to wage war (to establish peace and security). Its result would be that the big ones shall be killed in war and the commoners shall be taken prisoners.

I assure you that I am a true Prophet of Allah. I believe in Allah, and His Books, and His Prophets and am of the faith that Maseeh (Messiah) son of Mariam (Mary), is a Prophet of Allah and His word.

Hurmala (Raziallah AnhoA.) who brought to me 3 wasaq (about 6 quintals) of barley, recommended your case. Had it not been in compliance of the command of Allah and the good opinion of Hurmala for you, it would not have been necessary for me to correspond with you and instead of it, there would have been a war. If you will obey my messengers, you shall immediately have my support and the help and support of everyone who is attached to me.

My messengers are Shuraih-beel, Obaiy, Hurmala and Hurais (Raziallah AnhoA.) and whatever decision they take in respect of you, shall be acceptable to me.

Your people are under the protection and responsibility of Allah and His Prophet.

Supply provisions to the Jews of Maqna, for their journey to their country.

If you accept obedience, may peace be on you.'

Seal: Allah's Prophet Muhammad . [Emphasis added.]

http://alquraan.net/letters/letters_3.html#LETTER%20TO%20THE%20CHIEFS%20OF%20AQABA

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