Islam is peace ♥️

Prophet’s Mosque by Konevi

Revelation of Surah Toba

Surah Al Toba was revealed in the last span of Prophet’s life. Muslims had struggled for nearly 22 years and fought numerous battles to finally conquer Mecca. The enemies were running from the punishment. It was a time of sheer confusion. Quran was needed to fix the situation. Surah Al Toba was revealed to Prophet PBUH. It gave concise instructions to handle the situation.

As Islam stood victorious, there was almost no resistance. A small group of riders tried to intervene the approach towards Mecca, but they were too small to stop the momentum.

Forgiveness of Enemies

In year 630, Muhammad conquered Mecca. The arch enemies of Islam were forgiven. People were guaranteed protection if they followed these instructions.

1. Stay inside your homes

2. Try to take a place in Kaaba / Mosque

3. Do not retaliate

4. If you want to leave you are allowed to leave

5. Take protection of a Muslim

The chaos in Mecca

Mecca by Anton van der Weijst

It was chaotic at this point of time. The fear of death was shadowing Quraysh. In panic some were running to save themselves and some were hiding. Staunch enemies had committed war crimes, Ikram (ra) had hung two muslim captives and stoned them to death in public, were fearing death at the hands of Muslims.

In these times, Quran settled the situation appropriately.

Misinterpretation of Quran

There are some verses from Quran that are repeatedly shared with people to promote violence, hatred and rigidity. These verses were also used in the recent insurgency in Pakistan. People in ISIS are being trained to violence using these same verses of Surah Al Toba.

However, at the times of revelation of these verses of Quran, there was no act of violence. People found peace, inspiration and guidance through these verses.

Impact of deviating from the Truth

Horses by Daniil Vnoutchkov

From this point onward Islam spread like fire in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa. But when there was a deviation from truth; a significant amount of luxury, divide between poor and rich dominated, in 1258, Halaku Khan attacked Baghdad. Some more years down this road, we lost Ottoman empire. And in few years, we lost Sub Continent. As soon as we stopped following the principles based on equality, honesty and purity, we started disintegrating.

Lack of involvement in major research fields, discoveries and bold initiatives has ultimately dulled down the true colours of our religion. Quran is taken as a dull book. We do not value the life of Prophet (PBUH). Our relationships are getting weaker each passing day. Such lacking of creativity is further hurting our roots.

Laid Down Steps before Violence in Quran

Below is the break down of first 6 x Verses of Surah Toba with a summary of verse no 12.

Vesre 1. Declaration of disassociation.

A treaty called “Hudaybia” was signed between Qurayash and Muslims 2 years prior to the conquest of Mecca; tribes who will bind themselves with either Qurayash or Muslims, will be protected by their ally.

In spite of the agreement between Quraysh and Muslims, people of Quraysh helped / sponsored an attack on a muslim ally. In year 8 AH, Banu Bakr (ally of Quraysh) attacked Banu Khuza’a (ally of Muslims) with the backings of Quraysh. This verse is pointing to the breaking of terms by people of Quraysh.

Verse 2. 4 x Months of Free Time.

Muslims have captured Mecca. The panic is high in the air. Quraysh is running for their life. Quran directs Prophet (PBUH) to give 4 x Months of time to people of Quraysh. Do not kill or spread violence.

Verse 3. Warn the defeated army of Quraysh.

Prophet (PBUH) is directed to warn the people of Quraysh. Despite being in strength, the Muslims are being directed to only “warn” the disbelievers of Quran of a severe punishment in here-after.

It is a humbling attitude of an army. After the victory, victorious army does not bank on “warning” captives / criminals. Winning army either “imprisons” or “kills” the criminals. Muslims, the winning army, is however told to stay polite, sober and respectful while they are asking the criminals to ”Repent, that is best for you” [snippet from verse 3].

Verse 4. Do not punish people who stayed true to the Pact.

Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].
- Surah Al Toba verse 4

Verse 5. Do not punish in sacred Months.

[Sacred months are 1,7,11,12] The conquest of Mecca happened on 17th Ramadan (9th Month), according to Ibn Ishaq. While the Muslims were angry and wanted to take the revenge, Quran talks of avoiding violence.

Verse 6. Grant Protection to people who approach you for help.

People after they sin, hurt and disgust you. Those who break the covenant. Some who are war criminals. Once they reach out to you for help, you give them protection, you drop them at a place of safety. You ensure, the lives of people are protected if they humble towards you. You inspire them while they seek safety through verses of Quran, your actions and positivity.

You do not drag them down of their misery, humiliate them due to their weakness or punish them for their crimes before they sought your protection.

You simply become a good news for people who humble down and reach you for help.

Verse 12. Fight the disbelievers

Do not fight the people of other religions unless they attack you. Do not fight unless they break the established contracts. Do not snub any body’s freedom. Do not hurt them. Do not promote violence. Do not live an abnormal life where you are just hitting the wall every day of your life. Do not deviate from the Right path. Do not!

Islam promotes Peace

Delhi by Digital Buggu

If you were told Islam promoted violence. You were told wrong. It does not promote violence. It promotes peace, forgiveness and harmony. There are only a handful of cases in the life of Prophet PBUH where the hands of “declared thieves” were amputated.

And there are slaves who were protected from the wrath of the riches. There were daughters being buried alive, Islam protected them. There were people of peace who were blindly attacked, Islam built a boundary around them. There were war criminals among Quraysh, like Ikrama, Islam made them a General in its Army. There was Khalid, who defeated Muslims in Khandak, Islam made him its Chief of Army Staff to fight Romans, Persians and Yarmouk.

Do not look at two punishments. Look at the captives who were liberated from prison cells because they could teach. Look at Muhammad, while he struggled for 13 years and found only 40 people who would accompany him till death.

If you see around you, in history, you will not find more revolutionary leader than Muhammad. He was a human being. He worked harder, selflessly and productively to convince people there is more to this life.

Islam is not violence. It is only what Muhammad did in 8 AH after the conquest of Mecca; the forgiving, free passage and freedom for captives. It is what Surah Toba says in first 12 verses of Quran; hold on. Hindus are your brothers, just wait for the time, Christians are your buddies, just hold on, Jews are your friends, hold. Wait. Unite. Because this is Islam.