The Jihad verse (Quran 2:216)

Certain verses (āyāt) from the Qur'an have been a subject of controversy by many critics. The 216th verse of the Surah, Al-Baqara (The Cow) is about Jihad in the way of God.[1]

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

— Al-Qur'an 2:216

Transliteration (DIN 31635)

Kutiba ʿalaykumu l-qitālu wahuwa kurhun lakum waʿasā ʾan takrahū šayʾan wahuwa ḫayrun lakum waʿasā ʾan tuḥibbū šayʾan wahuwa šarrun llakum w-Allāhu yaʿlamu wāʾantum lā taʿlāmūna.

Translations and commentary

Sahih International

Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But God knoweth, and ye know not..

Abdullah Yusuf Ali's commentary on this verse is:

To fight in the cause of Truth is one of the highest forms of charity. What can you offer that is more precious than your own life? But here again the limitations come in. If you are a mere brawler, or a selfish aggressive person, or a vainglorious bully, you deserve the highest censure

[2]

Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

Jihâd (holy fighting in Allâh's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows but you do not know.

Criticisms and response

Some quote Al-Baqara 216 as proof of Islam's intention to Jihad.

Explaining the context of this verse, Qur'anic scholars have commented on the historical context of this verse, as well as the overall context of this verse, in which fighting is only ordained in conditions of persecution. Consequently, Muslims are required to defend themselves from oppression to establish justice.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali explains the historical context of the verse:

The intolerance and persecution of the Pagan clique at Mecca caused untold hardships to the holy Messenger of Islam and his early disciples. They bore all with meekness and long-suffering patience until the holy one permitted them to take up arms in self-defence…

Abdul Majid Daryabadi also explains the historical context of this verse:

Persecuted, harassed, afflicted, poverty-ridden, exiled, and small in number as the Muslims were at the time of the enactment of warfare, it was but natural that they were none too fond of crossing swords with the mighty forces that had conspired for their extirpation. Nothing short of express and emphatic Divine Command could urge them on to the field of battle [in order to defend their rights]. And yet the Islamic jihads are declared to be ‘designed by the Prophet to satisfy his discontented adherents by an accession of plunder!’ (Margoliouth). Such is this European scholar’s love of veracity! Such is his wonderful reading of history!

[3]

References

KNOL https://mbplee.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/jihad-is-ordained-quran-2216/
The Holy Qur'an, Text, Translation and Commentary
The Glorious Qur'an Majid Daryabadi

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[Knol-1] KNOL https://mbplee.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/jihad-is-ordained-quran-2216/

[2] The Holy Qur'an, Text, Translation and Commentary

[3] The Glorious Qur'an Majid Daryabadi