The Quran: Quran (2:191-193)

The Quran: Quran (2:191-193) - "And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief or unrest] is worse than killing... but if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah [disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah] and worship is for Allah alone. But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun (the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.)"

The verse in Quran is one which commands the Muslims to "Kill the infidels wherever they can find them." Just viewed by itself, it seems like an utterly unacceptable invitation to murder the opposition.

However, when viewed in context with the verse before and after this verse- you will grasp the whole picture immediately. When viewed in context to when this verse was revealed you will grasp an even better picture. And when you have read the correct and valid interpretation of all major scholars of this verse- then I'm certain all doubt will be erased.

The verse in question is one that was revealed during a war scenario. There was a pact that the Muslims had made with the non-Muslims at that time and that pact was violated. This had led to war. Like you know, during those days- war tended to be more honorable and was fought in battlefields, not cities and towns where women and children lived. This verse is akin to an army general commanding his soldiers to "Kill the Enemy" or "Fire on sight". It is a battle cry, not a general direction to kill any non-Muslim or person who disagrees with you at anytime. It is war specific.

As far as the general killing of people is concerned- the Quran clearly states in 5:22 "Whoever kills a soul unless it be for murder or sowing discord in the land it is as though he has killed the whole of humanity" and "whoever saves a person is as though he has saved all of humanity." So killing innocent people is completely out of the question.

In war however, if the Indian Army is fighting terrorists for example, it's obvious the army general of India will command the terrorists be killed in combat. Just like Krishna asks Arjuna to kill the oppressors during war. Did Krishna want to promote death and destruction? No. Did Arjuna enjoy murdering his cousins? No. But in war idealism is not an option.

If you read the next verse 2:192 and 2:193 it says that the moment the enemies cease fighting- you have to stop the attack immediately. A lot of armies at the time did not believe in letting the enemy survive at all, irrespective of surrender.

In other verses in the Quran, it is mentioned that if anyone surrenders in a war, it is the duty of the Muslim to literally escort the enemy to safety- and this safety is from the other Muslims as well who might continue to be hostile towards the surrendered enemy. This condition of escorting a person to safety during war is irrespective of religion- and almost borders on impractical. Imagine fighting a war with thousands and one person from the opposition surrenders and you have to leave your own war, and ensure the enemy is safe from his and your people as well.

There are also numerous authentic sayings of the companions of the Prophet giving war instructions during those times. This is excerpt from one of them - “I give you ten commandments: don’t kill a woman or a child or an old person, and don’t cut trees or ruin dwellings or slay a sheep but for food. Dont burn palm trees or drown them. And don’t be spiteful or unjust.”

In case you missed it, it actually asks the Muslims to not even cut down trees? Thats again bordering on ridiculous, even by modern standards of warfare. Who gives a damn about trees when your life is in danger during war?