The history of Islam1 / 4
Abu Bakr, 632-634.
Fought the ridda (apostasy) wars against Arab tribes that broke away after Muhammad's death.
The caliphs
The caliphs
The history of Islam2 / 4
Umar, 634-644.
Conquered Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Jerusalem; assassinated.
The caliphs
The history of Islam3 / 4
Uthman, 644-656.
Standardised the Quran; killed by rebels.
The caliphs
The history of Islam4 / 4
Ali, 656-661.
Civil war (the first fitna); assassinated.
The caliphs
The history of Islam1 / 2
Gathered.
Sahih al-Bukhari 4986: Zayd ibn Thabit gathers the Quran from parchments, bones, palm stalks and the memories of men.
How the Quran was compiled
The history of Islam2 / 2
Standardised and burned.
Sahih al-Bukhari 4987: Uthman sends out a standard copy and orders all others burnt.
How the Quran was compiled
The history of Islam1 / 1
632 to 870.
Muhammad died in 632. Al-Bukhari, compiler of the most trusted collection, died in 870.
The hadith era
The history of Islam1 / 2
Fight until they pay.
29Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.
Quran 9:29 (Pickthall) · context
How Islam spread
The history of Islam2 / 2
636-711.
Yarmuk (636), Jerusalem (637/638), Egypt (641), Persia (Nahavand, 642), North Africa, Spain (711), Sindh (711-712).
How Islam spread
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad1 / 4
Permission to fight.
39Sanction is given unto those who fight because they have been wronged; and Allah is indeed Able to give them victory;
Quran 22:39 (Pickthall) · context
What the Quran says about fighting
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad2 / 4
The verse known as the sword verse.
5Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Quran 9:5 (Pickthall) · context
What the Quran says about fighting
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad3 / 4
Against the People of the Scripture.
29Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.
Quran 9:29 (Pickthall) · context
What the Quran says about fighting
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad4 / 4
The same chapter grants protection.
6And if anyone of the idolaters seeketh thy protection (O Muhammad), then protect him so that he may hear the Word of Allah, and afterward convey him to his place of safety. That is because they are a folk who know not.
Quran 9:6 (Pickthall) · context
What the Quran says about fighting
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad1 / 3
Ordered to fight people.
Sahih al-Bukhari 25: the Prophet says he has been ordered to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger, pray and pay zakat.
What the sahih hadith say
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad2 / 3
Leaving Islam.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6922: whoever changes his religion, kill him.
What the sahih hadith say
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad3 / 3
Rules of war.
Sahih Muslim 1731a: commanders are to invite enemies to Islam, then to pay jizya, and to fight if they refuse; not to kill children.
What the sahih hadith say
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad1 / 3
27 expeditions.
Ibn Ishaq's biography (as edited by Ibn Hisham) counts 27 expeditions in which Muhammad took part personally.
Muhammad's wars, as the sources record them
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad2 / 3
Banu Qurayza, 627.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3043: the fighting men were to be killed and the women and children taken captive, on Sa'd ibn Mu'adh's judgment, which the Prophet approved.
Muhammad's wars, as the sources record them
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad3 / 3
Jesus, by contrast.
52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Matthew 26:52 (WEB) · context
Muhammad's wars, as the sources record them
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad1 / 2
Until they pay tribute.
29Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.
Quran 9:29 (Pickthall) · context
The early conquests and the dhimma
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad2 / 2
Yarmuk to Spain.
Yarmuk 636, Jerusalem 637/638, Egypt 641, Persia 642, Spain 711, Sindh 711-712.
The early conquests and the dhimma
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad1 / 2
A collective duty.
Classical law made jihad against non-Muslim lands a collective duty (fard kifaya) of the community, and an individual duty when Muslim lands are attacked.
Jihad and apostasy in classical Islamic law
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad2 / 2
Apostasy.
All four Sunni schools and Twelver Shia law prescribed death for an adult male apostate who would not return.
Jihad and apostasy in classical Islamic law
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad1 / 3
No compulsion.
256There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
Quran 2:256 (Pickthall) · context
Did the sword verse abrogate the peaceful verses?
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad2 / 3
The sword verse.
5Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Quran 9:5 (Pickthall) · context
Did the sword verse abrogate the peaceful verses?
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad3 / 3
Abrogation.
106Nothing of our revelation (even a single verse) do we abrogate or cause be forgotten, but we bring (in place) one better or the like thereof. Knowest thou not that Allah is Able to do all things?
Quran 2:106 (Pickthall) · context
Did the sword verse abrogate the peaceful verses?
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad1 / 2
Quoted by jihadists.
Al-Qaeda's 1998 World Islamic Front statement quoted the sword verse; the Islamic State quoted Surah 9 throughout its propaganda.
How modern groups use these texts
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad2 / 2
Rejected by scholars.
In 2014 more than 120 Muslim scholars signed an open letter to the Islamic State's leader rejecting its readings.
How modern groups use these texts
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad1 / 4
Put your sword back.
52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Matthew 26:52 (WEB) · context
What Jesus taught about violence
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad2 / 4
Not of this world.
36Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”
John 18:36 (WEB) · context
What Jesus taught about violence
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad3 / 4
Love your enemies.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Matthew 5:43-45 (WEB) · context
What Jesus taught about violence
What Islam's sources say about violence and jihad4 / 4
Turn the other cheek.
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 5:38-39 (WEB) · context
What Jesus taught about violence
