Many people think that the Quran commands Muslims to kill Hindus and therefore, Muslims are always a threat to Hindus. Let’s find out.
The word “Hindu” does NOT occur in the Quran even once. What people are referring to are the verses that speak about killing disbelievers.
Text and Context
Any text of a book or scripture should be understood with its context. A text devoid of context can be easily misunderstood and misinterpreted. No book or scripture is an exception to this. Let’s see some examples.
Bhagvad Gita
Shri Krishna says in Gita:
The material body of the indestructible, immeasurable and eternal living entity is sure to come to an end; therefore, fight, O descendant of Bharata.
Bhagavad Gita 2:18
O son of Kunti, either you will be killed on the battlefield and attain the heavenly planets, or you will conquer and enjoy the earthly kingdom. Therefore, get up with determination and fight.
Bhagavad Gita 2:37
Atharva Veda
“Vrishch Pra Vrishch Sam Vrishch Daha Pradaha Sam Daha.” – Translation:
Oh! Ved Vanni, you cut down the person who criticizes [against] Vedas (i.e., those who are against the Vedas.) tear apart, rip apart, burn and set on fire to reduce to ashes.
Atharvaveda mantra 12/5/62
What will happen if the shlokas above are taken out of context?
If the shlokas above are quoted without context, it would make a person think that Bhagavad Gita and Atharva Veda promote violence and fighting. When we read the Shlokas with the context, we will understand that they are speaking about battle between Dharma and Adharma. Therefore, the context of the verses is very important.
Context of the Verses in the Quran
When you read the verses of the Quran with the context, you will find that the Quran never promotes hatred or violence. Let’s look at the commonly ‘misquoted’ verses from Quran.
1. “Kill them wherever you encounter them”
This verse from Chapter 2, Verse 191 of the Quran. If you look up this verse, this is just a small part of the verse. Let’s read the complete verse and also the verses before it and after it to get the context.
“Fight in God’s cause against those who fight you, but do not overstep the limits. God does not love those who overstep the limits.”
Quran Chapter 2: Verse 190
Kill them wherever you encounter them and drive them out from where they drove you out, for persecution is more serious than killing. Do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they fight you there. If they do fight you, kill them– this is what such disbelievers deserve.
Quran Chapter 2: Verse 191
but if they stop, then God is most forgiving and merciful.
Quran Chapter 2: Verse 192
Fight them until there is no more persecution, and worship is devoted to God. If they cease hostilities, there can be no [further] hostility, except towards aggressors.
Quran Chapter 2: Verse 193
A simple reading of the verses clearly show that fighting was prescribed ONLY against those who fight with the Muslims and those who persecuted the Muslims.
2. “When the [four] forbidden months are over, wherever you encounter the idolaters, kill them, seize them, besiege them, wait for them at every lookout post.”
This verse from Chapter 9, Verse 5 of the Quran. Let’s read the complete verse and also the verse after it.
When the [four] forbidden months are over, wherever you encounter the idolaters, kill them, seize them, besiege them, wait for them at every lookout post but if they turn [to God], maintain the prayer, and pay the prescribed alms, let them go on their way, for God is most forgiving and merciful.
Quran Chapter 9 Verse 5
If any one of the idolaters should seek your protection, grant it to him so that he may hear the word of God, then take him to a place safe for him, for they are people with no knowledge [of it].
Quran Chapter 9 Verse 6
Reading both the verses together (Verse 5 and 6), makes it clear that if the idolaters desire peace, then Muslims are commanded to give protection and also escort them to a place of safety.
Quran encourages peace
Quran categorically commands Muslims to opt for peace if the enemy is offering peace. God says in the Quran:
“If the enemy is inclined towards peace, make peace with them. And put your trust in God. Indeed, He ˹alone˺ is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
Quran Chapter 8: Verse 61
How should a Muslim treat non-Muslims?
God says in the Quran:
“God does not forbid you from dealing kindly and justly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely God loves those who are just.”
Quran Chapter 60: Verse 8.
The Arabic word used to mean “kindly“ in the verse is “Tabarru”. The root word for “Tabarru” is “Birr”. The word “Birr” is used for highest form of kindness and righteousness. Example: The word Birr is associated with “kindness and righteousness to parents” (Birrul Walidain). Prophet Muhammad himself used the word “Birrul Walidain” when he spoke about righteousness towards parents.
God chose the word “Tabarru”, to instruct all Muslims to treat their non-Muslim brothers and sisters with the same level of kindness and righteousness they would show to their own parents.
Dear reader, can you now honestly say that Quran asks the Muslims to hate and kill Hindus?
Prophet Muhammad said:
You can never be (true) believers until you show mercy to one another.” The Companions of the Prophet said, “We all show mercy”. The Prophet replied, “It is not the compassion that any one of you shows to his friend. It is the compassion and mercy that you show to all the people.
Source: Collection of Prophet’s sayings by At-Tirmidhi
The Quran and the sayings of the Prophet should be sufficient to make anyone understand that a Muslim has been command to be merciful, kind and just to Non-Muslims.
Why don’t you check for yourself?
Dear reader, the copies of Quran translation are easily available online and offline. Whenever you hear something bad about the Quran, look for the “misquoted” verse and read the verses before and after the “misquoted” verse to understand the context. Check for yourself!
