Peace or Jihad? Abrogation in Islam

The Middle Easdt Quarterly ^ | Fall 2007 | David Bukay

[ConorMacNessa]

That there is no compulsion in Islam and that Islam is a religion of peace are common refrains among Muslim activists,[1] academics,[2] officials,[3] and journalists.[4] In an age of terrorism and violent jihad, nowhere, they argue, does the Qur'an allow Muslims to fight non-Muslims solely because they refuse to become Muslim.[5] Proponents of Islamic tolerance point to a number of Qur'anic verses which admonish violence and advocate peace, tolerance, and compromise.[6]

But not all verses in the Qur'an have the same weight in assessment. Unlike the Old or New Testaments, the Qur'an is not organized by chronology but rather by size of chapters.[7] Even within chapters, chronology can be confused. In sura (chapter) 2, for example, God revealed verses 193, 216, and 217 to Muhammad shortly after he arrived in Medina. God only revealed verses 190, 191, and 192 six years later.[8] This complicates interpretation, all the more when some verses appear to contradict.

Abrogation in the Qur'an The Qur'an is unique among sacred scriptures in accepting a doctrine of abrogation in which later pronouncements of the Prophet declare null and void his earlier pronouncements.[9] Four verses in the Qu'ran acknowledge or justify abrogation:

When we cancel a message, or throw it into oblivion, we replace it with one better or one similar. Do you not know that God has power over all things?[10] When we replace a message with another, and God knows best what he reveals, they say: You have made it up. Yet, most of them do not know.[11] God abrogates or confirms whatsoever he will, for he has with him the Book of the Books.[12] If we pleased, we could take away what we have revealed to you. Then you will not find anyone to plead for it with us.[13]

[ConorMacNessa]

Courtesy of Robert Spencer on Jihad Watch. In my view, abrogation is a key concept in Islam and, along with takiyeh, one its apologists never talk about.

[Biggirl]

In other words, Islam, the Koran, and Muhammed are one big contradiction because all contradict each other.

[ConorMacNessa]

Most of the touchy-feely verses are abrogated by violent “sword” verses.

[econjack]

This is perhaps one of the most obtuse, confusing, and unclear explanations I’ve ever read. I come away saying to myself: “I really don’t care what you say, Muslims are going around hacking people’s heads off, yet proclaiming they are the religion of peace. Sorry, but if you look like a duck, quack like a duck...”

[Biggirl]

That is why one should look at the rotten fruits of Islam.