Understanding Islam — Page 122
DOES VIOLENCE ESCALATE IN EARLY ISLAM? 120 general amnesty granted to the opponents of Islam at the time of the fall of Meccca are clear examples which demonstrate that Muslims always yearned for and desired for peace. Their greatest Jihad was a Jihad for peace, self-reformation, and communion with God. H OW TO S TUDY AND U NDERSTAND THE H OLY Q URAN ? The alleged issue of S ū rah At-Taubah (Chapter 9) and the so-called escalation of violence in the Holy Quran cannot be fully understood until one understands the proper methods of the study and exegesis of the Holy Quran. In this short book, we cannot attempt to address the full scope of this immense field of study. Instead, we will reproduce below the seven criteria necessary to properly understand the Holy Quran as outlined by the Promised Messiah as in his book, Blessings of Prayer :