Quran 8:59-60: Is A Violent Verse

Quran 8:59-60;

“And let not those who disbelieve suppose that they can outstrip (Allah’s Purpose). Lo! they cannot escape. Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy.”

The above passage, is a verse among many others which give muslims permission to fight the enemy, which is hostile to the Muslim community.

Many muslims apologists are quoting the proceeding verse in Quran 8:61 to highlight that if the enemy does not want peace, then then Allah gives muslims allow to engage the enemy until there is no more persecution against muslims.

But, this is so far from the truth as you one can come. The reason for this is that in the eyes of islam, peace will not come before religion is only for Allah (Quran 2:193, 8:39, 9:33 ), so anyone or anything perceived as "fighting against islam or muslims" is fair game for violence. Thus, even the slightest criticism or satirical portrayal of Islam, the Quran, Muhammad or Muslims – whether in books, movies, newspaper articles, cartoons or speeches -- can be construed not only as legitimate targets for attack, but as religiously mandated ones.So all secularism is hostile to Islam and means war and not peace as long as religion is not only for Allah.

Indeed, the Quran orders Muslims to fight against "those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah (taxes) with willing submission..." (Quran 9:29); not to take the Jews, Christians and other non-Muslims as friends; and deal justly and kindly only with those who have not fought them, driven them out of their lands or made a mockery of Islam [emphasis added].

Also the following Quranic verses, still in wide use today, serve to illustrate:

"O you who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians as Auliya' (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Auliya' of each other. And if any amongst you takes them as Auliya', then surely he is one of them." (Quran 5: 51)

"And the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allah... Allah's Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth!" (Quran 9:30).

"Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places... Allah has cursed them for their disbelief..." (Quran 4:47).

The Jews say: "Allah's Hand is tied up (i.e. He does not give and spend of His Bounty)." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for what they uttered...Every time they kindled the fire of war, Allah extinguished it; and they (ever) strive to make mischief on earth."

(Quran 5: 64).

In other words:

Islam does not recognize Judaism or Christianity as religions or any other faiths than islam.

Muslims are enemies of, and must fight, Jews and Christians or any other faiths than islam.

Muslims will never be satisfied until all people submit to the belief of Islam and the laws of Sharia.

Muslim apologists always cite the Quranic verse below to highlight a different side of Islam:

"Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes." (Quran 60: 8).

Here is the problem, however. According to a strict interpretation of the verse, anyone or anything perceived as "fighting against you" is fair game for violence. Thus, even the slightest criticism or satirical portrayal of Islam, the Quran, Muhammad or Muslims – whether in books, movies, newspaper articles, cartoons or speeches -- can be construed not only as legitimate targets for attack, but as religiously mandated ones.

"And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (kufr and shirk) and worship (obedience, submission etc.) is for none but Allah…"[for a 'pure' 8:37 heart] (EMQ al-Baqarah, 2:193)