Wilders Is Correct on Abrogation

Submitted by Mike Ramirez (United States), Nov 9, 2014 at 13:04

Dr. Pipes,

With all due respect, the Islamic example that you cite about "No compulsion in religion" is from Surah 2:256 and this is what all Muslim apologists repeat in their defense to claim that Islam is a tolerant religion. However, as Geert Wilders pointed out in your article, there is the concept of abrogation in Islam where a previously revealed verse is replaced and superseded by one that comes along at a later time.

It has been recorded that Surah 2:256, revealed during Muhammad's time in Medina, was short lived and later replaced (Abrogated) in Medina with more militant and aggressive revelations from Surah 9, one of which states the following: " And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists (Christians) wherever you find them and capture them and beseige them and sit and wait for them in every place in ambush. But if they should repent (convert to Islam) establish prayer and give zakat, then let them go on their way. Indeed Allah is forgiving and merciful." (Qur'an 9:5) This verse has not been abrogated and is still in effect to this day.

Additionally, Qur'an 9:29 literally obligates Muslims to "Fight those who do not believe in Allah nor the Last Day...nor acknowledge the religion of truth (Islam)...even if they are People of The Book (Jews and Christians) until they pay the Jizyah (tax) with willing submission and feel themselves subdued."

Neither Surah 9:5, nor Surah 9:29 have been abrogated. Until they are, Islam will not change to a "Moderate" form of Islam. A good example is what we see today with Islamic terror groups following the non-abrogated fundamental tenets of the Quran when it comes to dealing wit non-Islamic societies.

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