Understanding Islam — Page 114
DOES VIOLENCE ESCALATE IN EARLY ISLAM? 112 S ū rah 9 is also known as Al-Bar ā ’ah or “The Disavowal” meaning that all the treaties made with the polytheists prior to its revelation have been annulled and do not matter any more. What is more is that perhaps one of the most commonly quoted “violent verses” of the Holy Quran is also from this S ū rah:. . . kill the idolaters wherever you find them and take them prisoners, and beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent and observe Prayer and pay the Zakat, then leave their way free” 1 The first problem with these arguments is that an attempt is being made here to isolate S ū rah 9 from the rest of the Holy Quran. Muslims see the Holy Quran as the Word of God contained in one complete book. The Holy Quran itself never states anywhere that one passage is more important than the other. Furthermore, it does not include any dates for particular passages or S ū rahs, which means that the Holy Quran is to be seen in full. As such, there is no argument based on the Holy Quran itself to suggest any given passage is the “marching