Quran 9: 4-5

[dranzal]

[4] (But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided anyone against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous.

[5] 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 practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

I want to make sure I am reading this correctly.

Does this mean that if you have a contract with an otherwise decent (hasn’t cheated or failed you) pagan, you have to fulfill it, but after the term of the contract is complete you can/should fight and slay him?

 

[dranzal]

I don’t like to “bump” things, but I really want to make sure I am clear on this.

Thanks.

 

[planten]

I don’t like to “bump” things, but I really want to make sure I am clear on this.

Thanks.

**This was a special case when Makkah was liberated. The pagans were not persecuted. Rather they were given general amnesty (Complete forgiveness). The prophet Muhammad used the same words as were used by Joseph son of Jacob to forgive his brothers.

Further the pagans (the previous utter enemies) were given four months to leave the area. That was also a good concession for those who had intended to kill the prophet and made him flee the place many years ago.

Now coming to your complicated question. It seems to be more than one question. If you could break it down in pieces then reply could be easy. I believe that it is was allowed to make pacts with the pagans. It was necessary to respect and obey the terms of the pact to their appointed time. It was a must to fulfil the terms of the pacts.

After the time was over, every one was on their own (there not being any treaty or refreshed treaty, every one was free to do what they liked). If the Muslims could catch and kill the pagans then after the treaty, the pagans were also free to kill the muslims as they had been attacking and killing the muslims for many years in the past.

I really could not understand your problem. If you could please rephrase your post so that I understand what is required to be explained. In the meantime, please note:

1. When reading the Quran, where ever you find the word Kafir, do not treat it as a simple disbeleiver or non believer. Please understand that Kafir is a very hostile, enemy type active non-believer. A pagan could be the kafir too, as most of them were.
2. Not every one who does not believe in Islam is a Kafir. Every non-believer (any christian or Hindu or Jew) is not a kafir.
3. Please read the verse 9:6 too.**

 

[bpbasilphx]

Mahomet was deceived by an inferior demon claiming to be the Archangel Gabriel.

Therefore, every word in the Coran is a lie, including A, AN, and THE.

**God bless the Crusaders!

I confess there is NO GOD but Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and Jesus is God Incarnate risen from the dead.**

 

[bpbasilphx]

Further the pagans (the previous utter enemies) were given four months to leave the area. That was also a good concession for those who had intended to kill the prophet and made him flee the place many years ago.

How very GENEROUS of Mahomet–giving people 4 months to leave their own homes.

 

[Sister_Amy]

[4] (But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided anyone against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous.

[5] 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 practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

I want to make sure I am reading this correctly.

Does this mean that if you have a contract with an otherwise decent (hasn’t cheated or failed you) pagan, you have to fulfill it, but after the term of the contract is complete you can/should fight and slay him?

Sorry I didn’t reply sooner… I took a break for the weekend.

The answer is basically no. The Arabs had these sacred months during which nobody fought, so the Muslims weren’t supposed to fight unless they were being fought. The treaty had been violated which is what caused the problem. But I’d really just like for you to read the next two verses, 9:6-7, as posted below:

9:6 And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then **grant him protection **so that he may hear the words of Allah . Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.

9:7 How can there be for the polytheists a treaty in the sight of Allah and with His Messenger, except for those with whom you made a treaty at al-Masjid al-îaram? So as long as they are upright toward you, be upright toward them. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].

Also useful to read is verse 60:8

60:8 Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

In fact the word in this verse is birr, tabarru, which really means all kinds of good, anything good. It’s the word used to describe how Jesus treated his mother–with birr. So it means righteousness and justice and really good things. And that is how the Muslim is supposed to act towards someone who isn’t fighting the Muslims and/or expelling them from their homes.

 

[Angelos]

Sorry I didn’t reply sooner… I took a break for the weekend.

The answer is basically no. The Arabs had these sacred months during which nobody fought, so the Muslims weren’t supposed to fight unless they were being fought. The treaty had been violated which is what caused the problem. But I’d really just like for you to read the next two verses, 9:6-7, as posted below:

9:6 And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then **grant him protection **so that he may hear the words of Allah . Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.

9:7 How can there be for the polytheists a treaty in the sight of Allah and with His Messenger, except for those with whom you made a treaty at al-Masjid al-îaram? So as long as they are upright toward you, be upright toward them. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].

I am afraid you are deliberately ignoring some parts of the verses above! Those polytheists must be granted protection and a place of safety SO THAT they can be converted to Islam through propoganda and psycological oppression. The verse also disparages those polytheists as ignorant people as if Mohammad was a clever or wise guy!.

The Koran avoids telling WHO violated the treaty! More, Mohammad’s bandits were commanded to be kind only towards pagans that Muslims had made a treaty with. False dilemma: either submit to Mohammad’s ideology or be exposed to Muslims’ constant attacks. How fair and righteous indeed!