Islam on KILLING

 

The Quran contains several verses regarding warfare and conflict with non-believers, including Christians (often categorized under "People of the Book" or "disbelievers"). These verses are frequently debated; many scholars argue they refer to specific historical battles, while critics often cite them as general mandates. 

The following verses are most commonly cited in discussions regarding violence or conflict involving non-Muslims: 

• Surah At-Tawbah (9:29): This verse commands believers to fight those who do not believe in Allah or the Last Day, including the "People of the Book" (Christians and Jews), until they pay the jizya (tax) and are "brought low".
• Surah At-Tawbah (9:5): Known as the "Verse of the Sword," it instructs believers to "slay the idolaters wherever you find them," capture them, and besiege them once the sacred months have passed.
• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:191): Instructs to "kill them wherever you find them" and drive them out of the places they drove you out of. Contextualizing verses (2:190, 2:192) specify this is for defense against those who fight first.
• Surah Muhammad (47:4): Commands believers to "strike at the necks" of those who disbelieve when they meet them in battle.
• Surah Al-Anfal (8:12): States that Allah will cast terror into the hearts of disbelievers and commands believers to "strike above the necks" and "strike off every fingertip".
• Surah An-Nisa (4:89): Commands believers not to take allies from those who turn away and to "seize them and kill them wherever you find them". 

Key Theological and Historical Context 

• Defensive War: Many Muslim scholars and organizations, such as Why Islam, argue these verses were revealed during specific 7th-century conflicts and only permit violence in self-defense or against active oppression.
• Sanctity of Life: Other verses, such as Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:32), explicitly forbid the killing of innocent people, stating that killing one soul is like killing all of humanity.
• Protection of Christians: Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:69) and Surah Al-Baqarah (2:62) state that Christians and Jews who believe in God and do righteous deeds will have "no fear" and "shall not grieve".