Quote:Are you seriously trying to tell me there is some meaningful difference between
Sure there is. You claimed that the "this" in your version was a reference to the entirety of chapter 9. That interpretation is not possible with the version in the OP. You are basically seeking out the slightest ambiguity in language and inserting an elaborate fairy tale in its place. There is nothing to suggest that verse 1 is limiting the entirety of the chapter to people with whom the Muslims have a treaty. That is inconsistent with what the rest of the verse says and is inconsistent with the actions of Muhammad and the rightly guided Caliphs.
Quote:Firstly, you're not making any sense. Its calling on "mankind" to bear witness to the fact that Allah is disassociating responsibility from the Mushriken - not telling "mankind" they are being disassociated. Secondly, don't get carried away with the interpretation of "mankind". The word is "Al-Nas" - which is simply "the people". Sahih international interprets it as "the people". But either way, 'mankind' is not out of place - its the difference between "Mankind! - Allah disassociates Himself from those mushriken who will not amend their treaty with the muslims" and "O People! Allah disassociates Himself from those mushriken who will not amend their treaty with the muslims". Either works - one is just a bit more grandiose.
Verses 3 and 5 make a general reference to Mushriken. Verse 4 makes an exception for those who have a treaty. Why would you interpret it any other way than as general statements about Mushriken, with an exception for those with a treaty?
freediver wrote on Jul 30
th, 2016 at 10:08am:
3. And a declaration from Allah and His Messenger to mankind on the greatest day (the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah - the 12th month of Islamic calendar) that Allah is free from (all) obligations to the Mushrikun (see V.2:105) and so is His Messenger. So if you (Mushrikun) repent, it is better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you
cannot escape (from the Punishment of) Allah. And give tidings (O Muhammad ) of a
painful torment to those who disbelieve.
4. Except those of the Mushrikun with whom you have a treaty, and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor have supported anyone against you. So fulfill their treaty to them to the end of their term. Surely Allah loves Al- Mattaqun (the pious - see V.2:2).
5. Then when the Sacred Months (the Ist, 7th, 11th, and 12th months of the Islamic calendar) have passed, then
kill the Mushrikun
(see V.2:105) wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and
give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
You expect us to believe that Muhammad intended it to be limited to those Mushriken with whom the Muslims have a treaty, even though he forgot to state this explicitly or even implicitly, and even though his own actions contradict such an interpretation.
Were there any Muslim theologians who interpreted chapter 9 your way in the first century of Islam? Or did they only come up with this lie after they were no longer in a position to slaughter the infidel wherever they found them and had to instead project a more benign image for political reasons?
Quote:Among the polytheists to whom the muslims had a treaty with, exempt those who had been true to their treaty, then give the rest a certain number of months grace period to reestablish their treaties that they had broken - after which "kill the musrhiken wherever you find them".
Is this consistent with Muhammad's actions? For example in attacking Mecca?