Re: Blasphemy, Islam and Pakistan
Brother … read carefully and think about what you understand and believe, as haste in concluding or believing any writing wherever it is coming from, without thinking and understanding, can only misguide a person.
The ‘word used’ in ayah (4:140) revealed in 4 and 5 Hijri … was in Madina, where there were no-Kafirs, and Arabic word used is ‘Mislohum’. It means like them … or similar to them, so you cannot say that similar to them is wrong.
Further, ayah calls these people Munafiq (Munfaqoon) or Kafir (Kaferoon), who would go to hell (Jahannum). Calling them Munafiq clearly means Allah is talking about those who claim they are Muslims. In Madina at the time, people were either Muslims or Jews … and Quran never referred to Jews as kafir, rather they are referred as Ahle-Kitab. So, when ayah was revealed in Madina, and that also around 4 and 5 Hijri, it is obvious that people referred to in ayah are Muslims or ahle-kitab … whom Allah is calling Munafiqs or Kafirs.
You said that whatever written in Ayah means, ‘sitting with them without being coerced to do so, than only one is like them’ … so, what is big deal in what you wrote. It is obvious, as if one is coerced to do anything in Islam then there is no sin whatsoever one does … on the other hand, I could not apprehend that Muslims in Madina could be coerced to sit amongst people, who are doing blasphemy.
Ayah also tell Muslims that … if some people hold in defiance and ridicules signs of Allah … than one should not sit in their company until they turn to different topic (or different theme) … in other words, leave retaliation, Allah is not even telling Muslims to stop talking to them or leave their company … rather leave them and their company while they are showing defiance and ridiculing signs of Allah, warning those who do not leave their company at the time they are doing blasphemy as similar to them (kafir or Munafiq).
Note … Ayah 3:186 (again, this ayah came around or earlier than ayah 4:140) … though Surah is believed to have come in pieces, from 3 Hijri to 9 Hijri.
Quran 3-186: You shall certainly be tried and tested* in your possessions and in your personal selves; and you shall certainly Hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil,-then that *will be a determining factor in all affairs.
In this ayah, it is clear that Allah would try and test Muslims through their possessions, personal self, and grieving things what they would hear (and for a believer, what could be more grieving that they can hear than blasphemy?). So obviously, words of blasphemy is trial of Allah for believers (and cause or opportunity of creating fitna for Munafiqs … what they are doing regularly in Pakistan).
It is surprising what you wrote without even understand or trying to understand mentioned Ayahs.
This ayah (73:10) is Makki, and I quoted the ayah as it is talking about same thing, that is to do with grieving things what one hears … and here Allah is saying that what grieving things one hears, one should show patience. There are other ayahs too, that tells that Allah put believers through test and trials, and in such situation, believer should show patience when facing such test and trials instead of creating fitna … or … persecute and oppress people … as Allah hates those who persecute and oppress others..
Anyhow, what i wrote about blasphemy does not depends on ayah (73:10) alone, as there are many other ayahs to validate what I wrote. Anyhow, since you raised the issue:
Your claiming that ayah 73:10 is abrogated once jihad (of sword) was allowed, than it seems ridiculous, as Quran gives guidance regarding Jihad … and in that guidance there is no such thing as Jihad for reason of blasphemy or hurting feelings of Muslims with words.
Jihad is only allowed to those who are wronged (oppressed, attacked, or persecuted) against those who wronged them. Actually, permission of Jihad was given to those who were oppressed or were expelled from their home unjustly because of their beliefs (religion, faith) … against those who oppressed or those who expelled them from their homes without any just cause but only for their belief (religion, faith).
Surah Al-Haj, part is revealed in Mecca and part Madina. Anyhow, permission of Jihad (to fight with sword) was given in Ayah 22: 39-40 … and these ayahs (22:39-40) were revealed during the month of Zil-Haj in 1 Hijri.
Quran 22:39 … Permission (to fight) is given to those upon whom war is made because they are oppressed, and most surely Allah is well able to assist them;
Quran 22:40 … Those who have been expelled from their homes without a just cause except that they say: Our Lord is Allah. And had there not been Allah’s repelling some people by others, certainly there would have been pulled down cloisters and churches and synagogues and mosques in which Allah’s name is much remembered; and surely Allah will help him who helps His cause; most surely Allah is Strong, Mighty.
Again in 2 Hijri, Quran (8:39) says the same, repeating the condition that is mentioned in Surah Al-Haj (22:39-40) … that Muslims should fight people who are oppressors and persecutors … but cease fighting if they cease their oppression and persecution (again, oppression and persecution could not include blasphemy or hurting feelings of believers with words).
Al-Anfal 8:39 (revealed 2 Hijri) … And fight them on until there is no more tumult, persecution or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.
Same is confirmed by Allah in later ayahs (before fath-e-Mecca)… when ayah 60:9 was revealed in 8 Hijri before Muslims attacked Mecca, that Muslims should fight those who have persecuted and oppressed them (Muslims) … and driven them (Muslims) out of their homes (Mecca). In the ayah there is nothing about jihad (qattal) on what other says (blasphemy) to hurt the feelings of believers. Here is ayah that gives condition of jihad (by sword). Surah Al-Mumtahanah, Ayah 60:9 that was revealed just before fath-e-Mecca (~8 Hijri)
Quran 60: 8 … Allah does not forbid you respecting those who have not made war against you on account of (your) religion, and have not driven you forth from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves the doers of justice.
Quran 60:9 … Allah only forbids you respecting those who made war upon you on account of (your) religion, and drove you forth from your homes and backed up (others) in your expulsion, that you make friends with them, and whoever makes friends with them, these are the unjust.
Regardless of whoever makes claim of abrogation … it is not understandable how verse (73:10), telling believers to be patient on what people say (blasphemy or words that hurts feelings of believers) can get abrogated by permission of Jihad (by sword), where such Jihad is not against what people says (their words), but Jihad is against people who oppress, persecute and those who drove Muslims from their homes? .,. Such claim of abrogation (made by anyone) is ridiculous and absurd.
Are you getting wahi from Allah? Can you please let me know, who are you or anyone to declare that what I wrote is wrong? Why my opinions that I am claiming after giving several Quranic references to support my claims are wrong, and those who have opinions that to me is contradicting Quran are right? Are you or these people, Prophet or angel bringing message from Allah, to claim that what I wrote is wrong and what they claim is right?
Well, you can say I am wrong if you can show me that what I wrote with reference to Quran as proof is illogical or absurd, and what you are claiming is logical and according to what is mentioned in Quran. Else, do not say things, what you wrote, that shows nothing but ignorance as well as arrogance: