Does islam promote violence?

Doesn’t Islam promote violence, bloodshed and brutality since the Qur’an says that Muslims should kill the kafirs where ever they find them?

A few selected verses from the Qur’an are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, and exhorts its followers to kill those outside the pale of Islam.

1. Verse from Surah Taubah

The following verse from Surah Taubah is very often quoted by critics of Islam, to show that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality:

“Kill the ‘mushriqeen’ (pagans, kafirs) where ever you find them.”

[Al-Qur’an 9:5]

2. Context of verse is during battlefield

Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context. In order to understand the context, we need to read from verse 1 of this surah. It says that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the ‘Mushriqs’ (pagans) of Makkah. This treaty was violated by the ‘Mushriqs’ of Makkah. A period of four months was given to the ‘Mushriqs’ of Makkah to make amends. Otherwise war would be declared against them. Verse 5 of Surah Taubah says:

“But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay
The pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them,
And lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war);
But if they repent, and establish regular prayers
And practice regular charity, then open the way for them:
For Allah is oft-forgiving, Most merciful.”

[Al-Qur’an 9:5]
This verse is quoted during a battle.

3. Example of war between America and Vietnam

We know that America and Vietnam were once at war. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: “Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them”. Today if I say that the American President said, “Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them” without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war.

4. Verse 9:5 quoted to boost morale of Muslims during battle

Similarly in Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 the Qur’an, says, “Kill the Mushriqs where ever you find them”, during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Qur’an is telling Muslim soldiers is, don’t be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemy kill him.

5. Shourie jumps from verse 5 to verse 7

Arun Shourie is one of the staunchest critics of Islam in India. He quotes the same verse, Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 in his book ‘The World of Fatwahs’, on page 572. After quoting verse 5 he jumps to verse 7 of Surah Taubah. Any sensible person will realise that he has skipped verse 6.

6. Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer

Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says:

“If one amongst the pagans ask thee for asylum,
Grant it to him, so that he may hear the word
Of Allah, and then escort him to where he can be secure
That is because they are men without knowledge.”

[Al-Qur’an 9:6]

The Qur’an not only says that a ‘Mushriq’ seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. In the present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace. But which army General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a battle, don’t just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security?

This is exactly what Allah (SWT) says in the Glorious Qur’an to promote peace in the world.