DOES ISLAM PROMOTE VIOLENCE?

Question:
Doesn’t Islam promote violence, bloodshed and brutality since the Qur’an says that Muslims should kill the kuffar where ever they find them?

Answer:
A few selected verses from the Qur’an are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, and exhorts its followers to kill those outside the pale of Islam.
1. Verse from Surah Taubah
The following verse from Surah Taubah is very often quoted by critics of Islam, to show that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality:
"Kill the mushriqeen (pagans, polytheists, kuffar) where ever you find them."
[Al-Qur’an 9:5]
2. Context of verse is during battlefield
Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context. In order to understand the context, we need to read from verse 1 of this surah. It says that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the Mushriqs (pagans) of Makkah. This treaty was violated by the Mushriqs of Makkah. A period of four months was given to the Mushriqs of Makkah to make amends. Otherwise war would be declared against them. Verse 5 of Surah Taubah says:
"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is oft-forgiving, Most merciful."
[Al-Qur’an 9:5]
This verse is quoted during a battle.
3. Example of war between America and Vietnam
We know that America was once at war with Vietnam. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: "Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them". Today if I say that the American President said, "Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them" without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war.
4. Verse 9:5 quoted to boost morale of Muslims during battle
Similarly in Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 the Qur’an says, "Kill the Mushriqs where ever you find them", during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Qur’an is telling Muslim soldiers is, don’t be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemies kill them.
5. Shourie jumps from verse 5 to verse 7
Arun Shourie is one of the staunchest critics of Islam in India. He quotes the same verse, Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 in his book ‘The World of Fatwahs’, on page 572. After quoting verse 5 he jumps to verse 7 of Surah Taubah. Any sensible person will realise that he has skipped verse 6.
6. Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer
Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says:
"If one amongst the pagans ask thee for asylum,grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure that is because they are men without knowledge."
[Al-Qur’an 9:6]
The Qur’an not only says that a Mushriq seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. In the present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace. But which army General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a battle, don’t just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security?
This is exactly what Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an to promote peace in the world.
Reference: Dr Zakir Naik Most Common Questions Asked by Non Muslims and Muslims who have some knowledge of Islam

Verily, the Remembrance of Allah brings satisfaction to heart

1. ‘Therefore remember Me, I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and reject not Me.’

2. Remember thy Lord much, and praise Him in the early hours of night and morning.

3. (Talking of the wise men these are) such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, and say, (after deliberation) “Our Lord! Thou has not created this in vain. Glory be to Thee! Preserve us from the doom of Fire.”

4. When ye have performed the act of Salaat, remember Allah, standing, sitting and reclining (We should remember him in all circumstances)

5. Send not away those who call their Lord at morning and evening, seeking His countenance (Pleasure)

6. And call upon Him, making your devotion purely for Him (only)

7. And do thou remember thy Lord within thyself humbly and with awe, below thy breath, at morn and evening. And be thou not of the neglectful.

8. And guideth unto Himself all who turn to Him in penitence; who have believed and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts rest content!

9. Lo! I, even I, am Allah. There is no God save Me. So serve me and establish Salaat for My remembrance. Lo! The Hour is surely coming. But I will keep it hidden, that every soul may be rewarded for that which it striven to achieve.

10. (While talking to the unbeliever on the Day of Judgement, they will be asked whether they remember). Lo! There was a party of My servants who said, “Our Lord! We believe therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, for Thou art best of all who show mercy.”

11. But verily, remembrance of Allah is the most important.

12. (Those) who forsake their beds to call upon their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of what We have bestowed on them. No soul knoweth what joy is kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.Note: it is mentioned in a hadith that one who prays to Allah in the last portion of the night gains acceptance of Allah. If possible, you should remember Allah at this hour.

13. Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day and remembreth Allah much.


14. (while talking of the virtues of the believers) And men who remember Allah much and women who remember; Allah hath prepared for them His forgiveness and a vast reward.

15. O ye who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify Him morning and evening.

16. Then woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah. Such are clearly in error

17. Allah hath (now) revealed the most beautiful message of the Qu’ran, a Scripture consistent with itself, repeating (its teaching in various aspects). Whereat doth tremble the skins of those who fear their Lord, so that their flesh and their hearts soften to Allah’s remembrance. Such is Allah’s guidance, wherewith be guideth whom He will.

18. And he whose sight is dim to the remembrance of the Beneficent, We assign unto him a devil who becometh his comrade.

19. O ye who believe! Let not your wealth nor your children distract you from remembrance of Allah. Those who do so, they are the losers. (These things will not last beyond the grave and Allah’s remembrance will prove useful in the Hereafter.)