Al-Anfāl 8:67
The verse
It is not for any prophet to have captives until he hath made slaughter in the land. Ye desire the lure of this world and Allah desireth (for you) the Hereafter, and Allah is Mighty, Wise. — Marmaduke Pickthall
The issue
The verse arrives at the conclusion that it is allowable for the prophet to take prisoners
of war, “but under the condition that he thoroughly subduing the land, and what is
meant by thoroughly subdued the land is ‘killing and extreme terrorizing”. The verse
states that the prophet is the one who wields his sword against his enemies before he
takes prisoners and ends by stating this condition is a sign that Allah “wishes for the next”.
Questions: (1) Will God, the merciful, send a prophet who is not satisfied with taking
prisoners until after he has plunged the sword of death deeper? (2) Will God, the
merciful, accept the glorification of his religion by shedding the blood of its detractors?
(3) Is the way to execute the salvation plan of God paved with the skulls of mankind?.
Arabic text of this item
تخلص الآية إلى أنه من المشروع للنبي أن يأخذ أسرى، «لكن بشرط سبق الإثخان في الأرض، والمراد بالإثخان هو القتل والتخويف الشديد». الآية تقول إن النبي هو من يعمل السيف في أعدائه قبل أن يأسر، وتختم القول بأن هذا الشرط يدل على أن الله <يُرِيدُ الآخِرَةَ>.
ونسأل? هل الله الرحمن، سيرسل نبياً لا يكتفي بأخذ الأسرى إلاّ بعد الإيغال بالقتل؟
وهل الله الرحيم سيقبل إعزاز دينه بسفك دماء الرافضين؟
وهل الطريق لتنفيذ خطة خلاص الله معبدة بجماجم الناس؟
Sources cited
- الرازي 15: 205.