‘‘He [Sam Harris] quotes numerous verses including: “Never think that those who were slain in the cause of God are dead. They are alive, and well provided for by their Lord; pleased with his gifts and rejoicing that those they left behind, who have not yet joined them, have nothing to fear or to regret. God will not deny the faithful their reward.” [3:169] Now, in isolation we can use this against Islam, as Muhammad appears to be pronouncing an endorsement for martyrdom, carte blanche. What Harris doesn’t say, however, is that Muhammad recited this particular verse in the days prior to facing annihilation, because he had learned the Meccans were planning on laying siege on Medina with the purpose of finishing off the Muslims once and for all. Essentially, Muhammad had to raise the will of his men to defend the city at all costs, for the Quraysh of Mecca intended to execute every Muslim man, woman, and child should the city’s defenses fall. Moreover, he would never have envisaged that 1,500 years later, men would read this verse and use it for justification to hijack a jetliner and fly it into a building filled with innocent people.’[1]
The historical context apology is a frequently employed piece of apologia that attempts to shield the religion of Islam from justified criticism, yet it fails on two substantial and related grounds:
1. The Qur’an is neither Diodorus Siculus’ Library of History nor Edward Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire – that is to say, it is not a history book. It may contain some historical data but its purpose and function is to serve as a set of religious laws applicable to all Muslims until “Judgment Day”. This brings us to the second ground upon which the historical context apology fails.
2. The rules and precedents established in the Qur’an are not confined to a specific period in history in terms of their application. If you don’t believe me, read the Qur’an!
The Qur’an is perfectly clear and completely applicable:
‘Alif lām rā’: God knows best what He means by these [letters]; this is, a Book whose verses have been set clear, through marvellous arrangement and wonderful meanings, and then detailed, expounded, through rulings, stories and admonitions, from One Wise, Informed, that is, [from] God’. ~Qur’an 11:1 (Tafsīr Jalālayn)
[from] God’. ~Qur’an 11:1 (Tafsīr Jalālayn)
‘These are the symbols [or Verses] of the perspicuous (clear and precise) Book’. ~Qur’an 12:1 (Yusuf Ali)
‘For We had certainly sent unto them a Book [the Qur’an], based on knowledge, which We explained in detail – a guide and a mercy to all who believe’. ~Qur’an 7:52 (Yusuf Ali)
[NOTE: Allah is alleged to have orally transmitted the Qur’an to Muhammad, yet the verse above seems like a strange thing to orally dictate to Muhammad partway through transmitting the Qur’an. Firstly, it wasn’t a book at the time, and secondly, it hadn’t yet been “explained in detail”, as the Qur’an has 114 chapters and this is only chapter 7.]
Perfected is the word of your Lord, in the way of rulings and appointed terms, in truthfulness and justice (sidqan wa-‘adlan is for specification); none can change His words, either by contravening [His rulings] or evading [His appointed terms]. He is the Hearing, of what is said, the Knowing, of what is done. ~Qur’an 6:115(Tafsīr Jalālayn)
I could labour the point by offering various commentaries on the issue of the Qur’an’s all-inclusive and ever-applicable status, but I think it is fair to say that most Muslims believe that the “all-knowing” and “wise creator of the universe” wouldn’t waste a drop of ink in a book that is intended to be a complete manual for life on earth.
Second Limb – The Sunnah of Muhammad & Hadith (Secondary Pillar of Islam)
The reason I’ve made this the second limb is because a fundamental doctrine of Islam pertains to the perfection of Muhammad. He was the perfect Muslim, who is to be admired and emulated.
‘Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern [of conduct] for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah’. ~Qur’an 33:21 (Yusuf Ali)
The Sahih (reliable) al-Bukhari recounts a story of Muhammad raping a 17-year-old Jewish girl on the very night that his Muslim mercenaries slaughtered her fiancé and her family. From the Bukhari we read:
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