Understanding Islam — Page 25
25 are the basis of the Book — and there are others that are susceptible of different interpretations. But those in whose hearts is perversity pursue such thereof as are susceptible of different interpretations, seeking contradiction and seeking wrong interpretation of it. And none knows its right interpretation except Allah and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge; they say, ‘We believe in it; the whole is from our Lord. ’ — And none heed except those gifted with understanding. 23 Those who are well-grounded in knowledge accept that the whole is from God. In other words, they try to understand any given topic in its entirety by looking at all the verses of the Holy Quran. When one turns to the issue of Jihad as mentioned in the Holy Quran, one has to understand why Muslims were permitted to fight, and with whom? The Holy Quran itself explains both, in the first ever injunction that granted permission to take up arms in self-defence: Permission to fight is given to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged —