In this post we will consider those verses of the Quran in which it is said to kill the kafirs (infidels). Polytheists—including Hindus who worship many gods—have been called mushrik in the Quran. The Quran says to bring them on the right path. They are not to be killed. The Mushrik and those who do not believe in the power of Allah or Brahman will go to hell. Only those who deny the truth knowingly or where political promises are broken are called kafir who may be killed.
1] Verse: So who is more unjust than one who lies about Allah and denies the truth when it has come to him? Is there not in Hell a residence for the disbelievers? (Quran 39:32).
Our Viewpoint- It is said in this verse that if someone is told about the power of Allah or Brahman and instead of understanding that he makes false allegations against Allah or Brahman, then it is said that he will go to hell. The importance here is that those who do not believe in Allah or Brahman are not guilty until they are told about Allah or Brahman. Therefore, those idol worshippers etc. who do not believe in the power of Allah or Brahman are not guilty until they are told that idols are a part of Brahman’s power and are just a ladder to reach the Brahman. Despite being told, if someone worships idols denying Allah or Brahman, then only he will be a disbeliever. Mohammed Saheb first told the people about the idols in Kaaba that they do not have any power. Then he broke the idols when the people did not listen to him despite being told.
The position of idols is clarified by Quran 53:20 which says: “So you saw Lat and Uzza and the third and last, Manat. They are just names which you and your fathers have given. Allah or Brahman has not sent down any authority for them. They follow only speculations and what their hearts desire.” These were idols of three women goddesses. These idols were not destroyed. It was only said that there worship is speculation.
2] Verse: 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 (Quran 9:6).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse it is clearly stated that those people who are Mushrik i.e. polytheists should also be given shelter and they should be told about Allah or Brahman. They should not be given any kind of torture because they are people who do not have knowledge. The main point is that when knowledge of Allah or Brahman is imparted yet a subject disrespects Allah or Brahman, only then the person is considered to be guilty.
3] Verse: But We will surely cause those who disbelieve to taste a severe punishment, and We will surely recompense them for the worst of what they had been doing (Quran 41:27).
Our Viewpoint- It is said here that those who denied the existence of Allah or Brahman will be punished. Here the word denial is important. Just not believing in Allah or Brahman is not guilty. It becomes guilty when Allah or Brahman is denied even after being told.
4] Verse: We did not create the heavens and earth and what is between them except in truth and [for] a specified term. But those who disbelieve, from that of which they are warned, are turning away (Quran 46:3).
Our Viewpoint- Again it is said here that those who denied the power of Allah or Brahman were warned but they still denied and then they commit injustice and Allah or Brahman will punish them in Hell.
5] Verse: O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination (Quran 66:9).
Verse: O you who have believed, fight those adjacent to you of the disbelievers and let them find in you harshness. And know that Allah or Brahman is with the righteous (Quran 9:123).
Our Viewpoint- Here, those who deny the power of Allah or Brahman and the hypocrites have been put in the same category. Those who receive the message of Allah or Brahman and still deny Allah or Brahman are hypocrites and they will go to hell. Here the word “harsh” should be read in conjunction with Quran 9:6 which enjoins one to “deliver him to his place of safety” (see above). Thus, harshness here must be understood as unfriendliness rather than violence.
6] Verse: Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures (Quran 98:6).
Our Viewpoint- The “people of the scripture” are the Jews and Christians. The existence of God or Allah or Brahman is also accepted in Judaism. It is said in the Quran that the Jews did not obey Moses. But it is not told what they did not obey. As per our understanding, in practice, the Jews give priority to the rules of Moses. More than 600 rules have been told. The disobedience was not of making a golden calf when Moses had gone to the mountain because after Moses came back, they crushed the calf into pieces and accepted what Moses said.
Similarly, Christians believe in the existence of God but they call Jesus Christ the Son of God. In their behaviour, they give importance to Jesus Christ rather than God.
7] Verse: And say, “The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve.” Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place (Quran 18:29).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse it is said that every person is free to either believe in the existence of Allah or Brahman or deny it. If he denies knowingly then he commits a crime and will go to hell. Here the importance is of denial i.e. knowing denial is a crime. Not believing in Allah or Brahman unknowingly is not a crime.
8] Verse: Or do they envy people for what Allah or Brahman has given them of His bounty? But we had already given the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom and conferred upon them a great kingdom (Quran 4:54).
Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses – We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah or Brahman is ever Exalted in Might and Wise (Quran 4:56).
Our Viewpoint- In Aayah 4:54 it is said that those who reject the teachings of Prophet Ibrahim will be thrown into the fire by Allah or Brahman. The main teaching of Ibrahim was that idols are not sovereign in themselves. They have no power of their own, so instead of worshipping them one should worship Allah or Brahman. Those who are told this but do not believe it are told that after death they will be thrown into the fire.
9] Verse: And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah or Brahman is Forgiving and Merciful (Quran 9:5).
Our viewpoint- The background of this verse is that the Prophet had treaties (i.e. non-aggression pacts) with various pagan tribes. These treaties had various expiry times. Some did not specify any duration, some were due to expire in less than four months, and some were due to expire in more than four months. This verse says that those who did not adhere to the treaties may still be spared during the sacred months. The killing has to be done for violating the treaty—not for polytheism—because Verse 9:6 (above) explicitly says, “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.”
10] Verse: Would you not fight a people who broke their oaths and determined to expel the Messenger, and they had begun [the attack upon] you the first time? Do you fear them? But Allah or Brahman has more right that you should fear Him, if you are [truly] believers (Quran 9:13).
Fight them; Allah or Brahman will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and satisfy the breasts of a believing people (Quran 9:14).
Our Viewpoint- Verse 9:13 states that there were some people who broke their promises and plotted to expel Muhammad from Mecca. They should be fought. It is a simple political matter that those who oppose political power are punished politically.
11] Verse: 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 or Brahman loves the righteous [who fear Him] (Quran 9:4).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse it is clearly stated that if the polytheists or the mushriks made an agreement and fulfilled it, then they should be treated in a friendly manner, just like when two politicians stick to their promises to each other, then friendship is made with them. This is a simple political teaching.
12] Verse: If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease and those who spread rumors in al-Madinah do not cease, We will surely incite you against them; then they will not remain your neighbors therein except for a little (Quran 33:60).
Accursed wherever they are found, [being] seized and massacred completely (Quran 33:61).
Our Viewpoint- Verse 33:60 says that those people in Medina who spread rumors against Prophet Muhammad should be killed which is completely a political strategy.
13] Verse: And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers (Quran 2:191).
Our viewpoint- It said that those people who had earlier expelled you from a place should now be driven out of that place by fighting and killing them. This is a simple political matter. The only thing added is that this fight should not be fought near the Kaaba.
14] Verse: What is [the matter] with you [that you are] two groups concerning the hypocrites, while Allah or Brahman has made them fall back [into error and disbelief] for what they earned. Do you wish to guide those whom Allah or Brahman has sent astray? And he whom Allah or Brahman sends astray – never will you find for him a way [of guidance] (Quran 4:88).
They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah or Brahman. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper (Quran 4:89).
Our Viewpoint- In these verses it is said that those who live with you and still do wrong deeds, Allah or Brahman has left them to their fate. One should not try to bring them on the right path when Allah or Brahman has left them to go on their wrong path. One should not make friendship with them. As far as the matter of killing is concerned, it happens only when they turn their back i.e., they get involved in some political disturbance.
15] Verse: O you who have believed, take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allah, if you should [truly] be believers (Quran 5:57).
Our Viewpoint- In the past, Jews and Christians were given the book, that is, they were taught about God or Brahman, but they made it a joke and did not take it seriously. The Jews knowingly abandoned God and adopted the laws of Moses. The Christians knowingly abandoned God and declared Jesus Christ as the son of God. One should not make friends with such people because bad company has a bad influence.
16] Verse: O Prophet, urge the believers to battle. If there are among you twenty [who are] steadfast, they will overcome two hundred. And if there are among you one hundred [who are] steadfast, they will overcome a thousand of those who have disbelieved because they are a people who do not understand (Quran 8:65).
Our Viewpoint- In this verse it is said that despite being in less numbers, those people who have faith in Allah or Brahman are victorious in the war because then the psychological powers of Allah or Brahman help them.