Fact checking DNM regarding Q930 and Q931

Submitted by Prashant, Jan 7, 2019 at 22:38

Dear Dr Pipes, I just did a fact-check on DNM's assertion that Allah calls Jews and Christians polytheists in Q 9-30 and 9-31. DNM is mostly correct. In Quran Allah's and Muhammad's words get inter-mingled and it becomes difficult to figure out who is saying what. But in 9-30 and 9-31, it appears it is the Muhammad is speaking about Allah. And he seems to be saying that Jews and Christians are at fault for calling Ezra and Jesus, son or sons of God.

If Muhammad had stopped at this accusation, it would have just been a matter of opinion. But Muhammad goes beyond it. In 9-30 Muhammad wishes that Allah should 'destroy' the Jews and Christians. A lot of people like our ISIS friends who claim to be implementing Allah's instruction may be taking their clues from 9-30.

I think Muhammad just got a bit carried away here. It is enough to say that polytheism may sometimes misguide people. Talking about people's destruction is just too much. I hope Muslims learn to not take Quran/Muhammad literally.

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