Through Force or Faith? — Page 161
Chapter 2 — Islamic Teachings about Jihad 161 in you; and know that Allah is with the righteous ( S u rah at-Taubah, 9:123). Explanation: From the word يَلُونَكُم in this verse, the critics argue that Muslims have been enjoined to first kill the infidels around them and then keep widening this circle of carnage. يَلُونَكُم —means near ones. In this verse, it is explained that during war, no leniency can be permitted to the adversary just because of kinship. As far as ً غِلْظَة (hardness) is concerned, it means imperviousness of any object due to which nothing could penetrate it. Thus this verse admonishes not to be influenced by non-believers. (Deduced from ‘ Haqa’iq al-Furq a n ’ by Khalifatul Masih I ra and the Translation Quran Class of Khalifatul Masih IV rta , dated January 4, 1996) ُدْيِرُي َةَرِخٰاْلا١ؕ َو ُهّٰللا ٌزْيِزَع ٌمْيِكَحاَم َناَك ٍّيِبَنِل ْنَا َنْوُكَّي ۤٗهَل ىٰرْسَا ىّٰتَح َنِخْثُي يِف ِضْرَاْلا١ؕ َنْوُدْيِرُت َضَرَع اَيْنُّدلا١ۖۗ َو ُهّٰللا It does not behove a Prophet that he should have cap- tives until he engages in regular fighting in the land. You desire the goods of the world, while Allah desires for you the Hereafter. And Allah is Mighty, Wise ( S u rah al-Anf a l, 8:68). ْمُكَضْعَب ٍضْعَبِب١ؕ َو َنْيِذَّلا اْوُلِتُق ْيِف ِلْيِبَس ِهّٰللا ْنَلَف َّلِضُّي ْمُهَلاَمْعَاَو اَّمِا ًءٓاَدِف ىّٰتَح َعَضَت ُبْرَحْلا اَهَراَزْوَا١ۛ۫ۚ۬ َكِلٰذ١ۛؕ َو ْوَل ُءٓاَشَي ُهّٰللا َرَصَتْناَل ْمُهْنِم َو ْنِكٰل ۡاَوُلْبَيِّل اَذِاَف ُمُتْيِقَل َنْيِذَّلا اْوُرَفَك َبْرَضَف ِباَقِّرلا١ؕ ىّٰۤتَح ۤاَذِا ْمُهْوُمُتْنَخْثَا اوُّدُشَف َقاَثَوْلا١ۙۗ اَّمِاَف اًّۢنَم ُدْعَب And when you meet in regular battle those who disbe- lieve, smite their necks; and, when you have overcome them, bind fast the fetters—then afterwards either release them as a favour or by taking ransom—until the war lays