Title:
Jihad With the Qur'an
Question/Comments:
Can the Verse 25:52 (do Jihad with Quran)which was revealed
in Mecca interpritared to bring about a political revolution/not to obey
constitution(obey not the disbelievers)in a country where Muslims are not in
power?If this is not the correct interpritation then what is the correct
interpritation as the word used is Jihad? Thank you.
Was Salaam.
Answer:
The verse reads:
"and therefore do not obey Kafireen and strive against them
with this (i.e. the Qur'an), a great strive".
The verses preceding explain that although the truth has been
clearly brought forward to people, yet they do not accept it. The verse is
addressing the Prophet (pbuh) in his capacity as a Messenger who is sent by God
for the manifestation of the truth for the addressees). The verse directs the
Prophet (pbuh) to strive with those who have not accepted the truth even after
the truth has become manifest to them (Kafireen) and not to obey them.
Obedience here means to follow the desires of Kafireen who wanted the
Prophet (pbuh) to compromise his divine mission. Striving with the Qur'an (given
that the verse is revealed in Mecca) means to attack their poor arguments
with the firm arguments of the Qur'an. (This is just before the next phase of
the mission of the Prophet, where he leaves Kuffar because of their
rejection of truth and then starts fighting with them as manifestation of God's
punishment for those who reject a messenger of God).
As you can see the verse is not even remotely close to the
idea of 'bringing political revolution in a country where Muslims are not in
power'.
Abdullah Rahim
June 23, 2006