I know this will probably be a controversial topic and also it is a much debated one here before, now and maybe in the future. Recently I have been into detailed study of Sirah and context of revelation of many Quranic verses.
I finally came across when this famous verse was revealed. A synopsis of it is such:
This verse was revealed after the battle between muslim of Al-Madinah and jews of Banu An Nadir, which eventually led to the expulsion of this jewish tribe from Al-Madinah after muslims led a victorious siege of their fortresses. Before the advent of Islam the arab women of the Madinah inhabitants (either Aus or Khazraj tribes), when they had children die in their infancy they would vow to convert them to Judaism if they survived. Naturally some of the survivors grew up to be jews in the tribe of Banu An Nadir. When the jews were expelled after the battle some or many of the parents muslim arab whose children were jews did not want their children to leave. This verse was revealed in relation to those arabic jews of the Banu An Nadir tribe whose parents were muslim of Al Madinah.
Now given this context, what the verse really meant was that those who had converted to Judaism out of their parents vow were not compelled to remain steadfast in Judaism as the truthfulness of Islam had clearly been established by then. They could renounce their jewish beliefs and convert to Islam.
What are your thoughts about this given the way this verse is used nowadays by every other muslim, scholar or alim etc. This verse had often been linked with counter-apostacy arguments, it may appear related and conversely not as well. I only want constructive discussion here from those who are knowledgible enough to discuss this.
I am reading this context for this ayah the very first time.
Did the other jews tribe like the famous Banu Qenqa besides Banu Nadheer have not such people in them?
I am not aware if such people were in the tribe of Banu Qainuqa, there might have been however this verse was revealed when Banu An Nadir were expelled. You cannot find this on internet sources. I found it in the Sirah by Dr. Sallabee.
It is based on the hadith in Sunan Abu Dawood:
Book 14, Number 2676:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
When the children of a woman (in pre-Islamic days) did not survive, she took a vow on herself that if her child survives, she would convert it a Jew. When Banu an-Nadir were expelled (from Arabia), there were some children of the Ansar (Helpers) among them. They said: We shall not leave our children. So Allah the Exalted revealed; “Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error.”
I still do not fully the understand the story but it seems like the children were raised Jewish due to previous promises made, even though their parents had now become Muslim? So this just means that you cannot even force your own children to become Muslim, right?
This to my limited knowledge seems to indicate that it is more important to follow whatever religion you are born with and your prior obligations than to follow Islam?
ayet 2:256 ( “2:256 Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.”) can be seen from the perspective of an ultimatum as the second clause of the ayet precisely reads.
but then it can be worked on from the perspective of an admonition, that even when there is no compulsion in ‘deen’ is expressed stated, a true believer will make sue of the jihad with the self to attain a genuine acceptance of living the faith as best as s/he can.
If you want to derive a principle from this then it could be that if you have vowed to tred some path which later turns out to be one of misguidance then you are not compelled to keep your vow, you should rather follow the correct path.
Another thing I gather (if you look at a bigger picture) would be that you are free to live with your choices as long as you do not interfere in mine and treat me as an enemy. This is readily exhibited in the constitution of Madina, in which the jews had religious freedom as long as they lived in peace with the muslims. However respectful boundaries need to be established meaning muslims and non-muslims can send invitations to each other regarding their religions however we should not go and openly incite people against their beliefs in their own areas. Muslims should not do that in the areas of non-muslims and non-muslims should not do that in the areas of muslims. The boundaries should be clearly defined such you are free to preach your religion in your place of worship to anyone who comes there. Its really not the preaching that is a problem but rather the plots to see each others downfall that makes this sensitive.
I see the opposite, they were compelled to keep their vow to be jews instead of follow Islam.
The thing is that according to this story they were being compelled (for whatever reason, and by whoever is not important...)
Thus my confusion.
Ok I guess I did not write that correctly.. (it's happening to me these days... could be the forum lol oops)
I mean to say that they were in a kind of peer pressure to leave with their parents ... the Quran relieved this pressure by stating that there shall be no compulsion since the right and wrong have been made clear. Now it depends on what each individual thinks is the correct path based on what he sees. It is only natural... once again.
Maybe it's just me who is confused, but the question is if that ayat is only specific to that exact (an unusual) situation, how many other Quranic verses also have the same baggage attached to their interpretation that we don't know think or know of?
Ok I guess I did not write that correctly.. (it's happening to me these days... could be the forum lol oops)
I mean to say that they were in a kind of peer pressure to leave with their parents ... the Quran relieved this pressure by stating that there shall be no compulsion since the right and wrong have been made clear. Now it depends on what each individual thinks is the correct path based on what he sees. It is only natural... once again.
Like you said double edged sword. When teo distinct paths clear its the individuals conscience choice which one they make and there is no compulsion in either one. One of the reasons why Allah SWT gifted us with free will and wisdom to choose.
Maybe it's just me who is confused, but the question is if that ayat is only specific to that exact (an unusual) situation, how many other Quranic verses also have the same baggage attached to their interpretation that we don't know think or know of?
Well for one, I do not know the degree of authenticity of this hadith and secondly yes (I have always stated this), muslims and our scholars generalize the Quranic verses too much instead of the principle behind those verses. There is too much emphasis on understanding the text among common muslims rather than the meaning and motive behind the text, which brings in all this excess baggage.
Maybe it's just me who is confused, but the question is if that ayat is only specific to that exact (an unusual) situation, how many other Quranic verses also have the same baggage attached to their interpretation that we don't know think or know of?
Ok, well, what was your understanding about the verse before you read USR's post? If it was different, then perhaps you're on to something. If you did see it as "no compulsion whatsoever" then it does not really matter what was revealed when...
