Lands Formerly Occupied By Muslims

Recently I have heard two conflicting view points regarding the Qur’anic view of formerly Muslim lands that are now inhabited by non-Muslims.

All seem to be in agreement that, today, the pride of hard-core Islamists/fundamentalists/etc. is to such a great extent that, yes, they believe that it is their duty to take back any lands that were once occupied by Muslim rulers. But is this in the Qur’an?

First of all, does it really matter?

I say, no, it doesn’t really matter. For when terrorists use violence and propagate hatred amongst their own people it doesn’t matter where this ideology is coming from.

Secondly, if it is in the Qur’an, does this mean that the sacred Islamic text is inherently evil?

Certainly the Qur’an is no longer as progressive and liberal as some Muslims would like to think, but this does not mean that liberal interpretations are impossible. I believe that, with the support of a vast majority of practicing Muslims, the Qur’an can be understood definitively in such a way as to dramatically cut back on the extremist interpretations. I am saying that the Qur’an is not inherently evil, and it is not necessarily a book of hate.

However, it just so happens that it is used far too often for evil purposes and for inciting hatred. All over the Islamic world clerics preach that non-Muslims will be sent to the flames on the day of judgment, that Muslims are superior and non-Muslims inferior, that men and women are not equal, cruel and disproportionate punishments are inflicted upon citizens for the slightest offenses (e.g. Iran’s laws on drinking alcohol), etc., etc., etc. If the truly peaceful Muslims do not save their religion, then it is inevitable that the Islamic faith will go down the drain with the pieces of sh^t who use it to justify terror and violence.

Concerning the Qur’anic justification for the reclaiming of lands in the name of Islam (which al-Qaida and HAMAS frequently claim is a proper Islamic doctrine).

Robert Spencer has done some research and has found the following:

Those who have been expelled from their homes and victimized in other ways have permission to fight against those who have wronged them (vv. 39-40). According toMujahid, Ad-Dahhak, Ibn ‘Abbas, ‘Urwah bin Az-Zubayr, Zayd bin Aslam, Muqatil bin Hayan, Qatadah and others, this was the first verse revealed about jihad – that is, says Maududi: “v. 39 is the first verse that grants the Muslims permission to wage war.” This verse is also the epigraph of Osama bin Laden’s October 6, 2002 letter to the American people, in which he details his motives and goals.

The Muslims, “if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong” (v. 41) – that is, they establish the proper ordering of society. But those who reject the message of the Muslims will ultimately be destroyed, as were the disbelievers of bygone ages (vv. 42-48). Allah tells Muhammad how to address the unbelievers, telling them that he is just giving them a warning: follow the way of righteousness or face hellfire (vv. 49-51).

Read the rest of the post at HotAir.com: Blogging The Quran Sura 22, “The Pilgrimage”

Filed under: History, Religion/Ideology , Dar al-Islam, Qur'an