Quranic verses that refer to about
the preparations of war; and preparations of horses assigned
(for war), and the encouragement of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to learn shooting
with bow and arrow.
Note: The
Importance of Context
The word ‘context’ has two dictionary meanings:
1. The parts
of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or
passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect. 2. The set of circumstances
or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.
Any discussion on Qur’anic verses that refer to about the preparations of war would be
meaningless, without a study of the surrounding context. Therefore, before one
studies the verses in question, he must examine issues in a wider perspective:
What does Quran mention about the preparations of war?
Author: Şadi Eren
(Prof.Dr.
War necessitates some preliminary preparations
and precautions. The following verse guides us at this very point, O you who
believe! (While such great grace is there) be fully prepared, then (as
circumstance demands) either go forward in (small) consolidated groups (on
military expeditions) or go forward all together. (An-Nisa Surah, 4:71) Hamdi
Yazir comments on verse as follows: Be conscious and discreet; procure both
material and spiritual reasons to avoid the enemy. And
appeal to your arms. (1)
This following verse invites Muslims to be strong: (Believers:) make ready against them whatever you can of force and horses assigned (for war), that thereby you may dismay the enemies of God and your enemies and others besides them, of whom (and the nature of whose enmity) you may be unaware. God is aware of them (and of the nature of their enmity). Whatever you spend in Gods cause will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged. (Al-Anfal Surah, 8:60)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), explains the expression force (i.e. strength) as force is throwing. Doubtless, throwing used to be seen as a mean of strength in those days. Shooting with bow and arrow, launching by catapult of those days replaced by bombs, missiles etc. today.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged his community about Shooting. For instance, he states, God will cause three persons to enter Paradise for one arrow: the maker when he has a good motive in making it, the one who shoots it, and the one who hands it. (4)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged to learn shooting with bow and arrow upon the circumstances of his time. Sultan Mehmed II. who received the appraisal of Prophet Muhammad, inspired by the statement- strength is throwing- of the Messenger of God (pbuh) and cast the most advanced Şahi cannonballs of that age, breached the most majestic city walls. Today, West seems more aware of the hadith with their guided Missiles that can lock onto a target, bombs that can destroy a whole city.
Above quoted verse also encourages us to prepare warhorses. In the beginning part of the Surah Al-Aadiyaat, there is a vow for warhorses.
The Messenger of God (pbuh) eulogizes the qualities of the horses as follows: (A great) benefit (i.e. blessings), has been tied to the forelocks of the warhorses until the judgment day that is to say, there is a continuous benefaction of the company of a horse. Warhorses of our days; armed combat cars, war planes are in the extent of the decree of the verse.
Make ready against them whatever you can of force is stated instead of make ready bows and arrows in the verse, because it infers strength of all kinds such as intellectual-physical, material and spiritual. And again, it is not stated as, you may destroy your enemies, instead it is stated as, you may dismay your enemies. (7)
Such strength by dismaying enemies, and dissuading oppressors of their oppressions, will play an important role to convey the religion of God and to eliminate sedition in everywhere. (8)
In the Holy Quran, it is explained how iron was made supple for Hazrath Dawud. (Saba Surah, 34:10) Hazrath Dawud by shaping iron as a miracle given to him made arms and armors. It is a thought provoking that one of one hundred fourteenth of Quranic Surahs is Hadid (i.e. iron). The verse related with Hadid is: We have sent down iron in which is stern might and benefits for humankind, so that God may mark out those who help (the cause of) God and His Messengers, though they do not see Him... (Al-Hadid Surah, 57:25) If it is attended, War Industry of our century relies on iron. When, there are so many remarks and instructions in Quran, Muslims being remiss in addressing the truth, and non-Muslims following those truths is exemplary thoughtful. The ones who says, I am a Muslim must very well know the commands of Quran, and live according to it. Otherwise, while they are true believers, their loss to the non-believers is inevitable. Humanitys experience in the last two hundred years is a clear proof of it.
Sources:
1-Yazır, II, 1391
2-Abu Dawud, Jihad, 23; İbnu MaJe, Jihad, 19
3-Ebu Bekir Cessas, Ahkamu'l-Kur'an, Daru'l-Fikr, Beyrut, 1993, III,102;Alusi, X,25
4-Abu Dawud, Jihad, 23; Tirmidhi, FAdailu'-Jihad, 11
5-Bukhari, Jihad, 43; Tirmidhi, Jihad, 19; İbnu MaJe, Jihad, 14
6-Razi, XV, 185; Cessas, III, 102; Rıza, X, 69; Tabbera, s.386; Abdülhalim Mahmud, El-Cihadu fi'l-İslam, Daru'l-Mearif, Kahire, s. 17; Kadiri, I, 516; Sabuni, Kabes, III, 161
7-Bilmen, III, 357; Tabbera, s. 386
8-Muhammed Şedid, El-Cihadu fi'l-İslam, Müessesetu Risale, Beyrut, 1985, s.119
This following verse invites Muslims to be strong: (Believers:) make ready against them whatever you can of force and horses assigned (for war), that thereby you may dismay the enemies of God and your enemies and others besides them, of whom (and the nature of whose enmity) you may be unaware. God is aware of them (and of the nature of their enmity). Whatever you spend in Gods cause will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged. (Al-Anfal Surah, 8:60)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), explains the expression force (i.e. strength) as force is throwing. Doubtless, throwing used to be seen as a mean of strength in those days. Shooting with bow and arrow, launching by catapult of those days replaced by bombs, missiles etc. today.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged his community about Shooting. For instance, he states, God will cause three persons to enter Paradise for one arrow: the maker when he has a good motive in making it, the one who shoots it, and the one who hands it. (4)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) encouraged to learn shooting with bow and arrow upon the circumstances of his time. Sultan Mehmed II. who received the appraisal of Prophet Muhammad, inspired by the statement- strength is throwing- of the Messenger of God (pbuh) and cast the most advanced Şahi cannonballs of that age, breached the most majestic city walls. Today, West seems more aware of the hadith with their guided Missiles that can lock onto a target, bombs that can destroy a whole city.
Above quoted verse also encourages us to prepare warhorses. In the beginning part of the Surah Al-Aadiyaat, there is a vow for warhorses.
The Messenger of God (pbuh) eulogizes the qualities of the horses as follows: (A great) benefit (i.e. blessings), has been tied to the forelocks of the warhorses until the judgment day that is to say, there is a continuous benefaction of the company of a horse. Warhorses of our days; armed combat cars, war planes are in the extent of the decree of the verse.
Make ready against them whatever you can of force is stated instead of make ready bows and arrows in the verse, because it infers strength of all kinds such as intellectual-physical, material and spiritual. And again, it is not stated as, you may destroy your enemies, instead it is stated as, you may dismay your enemies. (7)
Such strength by dismaying enemies, and dissuading oppressors of their oppressions, will play an important role to convey the religion of God and to eliminate sedition in everywhere. (8)
In the Holy Quran, it is explained how iron was made supple for Hazrath Dawud. (Saba Surah, 34:10) Hazrath Dawud by shaping iron as a miracle given to him made arms and armors. It is a thought provoking that one of one hundred fourteenth of Quranic Surahs is Hadid (i.e. iron). The verse related with Hadid is: We have sent down iron in which is stern might and benefits for humankind, so that God may mark out those who help (the cause of) God and His Messengers, though they do not see Him... (Al-Hadid Surah, 57:25) If it is attended, War Industry of our century relies on iron. When, there are so many remarks and instructions in Quran, Muslims being remiss in addressing the truth, and non-Muslims following those truths is exemplary thoughtful. The ones who says, I am a Muslim must very well know the commands of Quran, and live according to it. Otherwise, while they are true believers, their loss to the non-believers is inevitable. Humanitys experience in the last two hundred years is a clear proof of it.
Sources:
1-Yazır, II, 1391
2-Abu Dawud, Jihad, 23; İbnu MaJe, Jihad, 19
3-Ebu Bekir Cessas, Ahkamu'l-Kur'an, Daru'l-Fikr, Beyrut, 1993, III,102;Alusi, X,25
4-Abu Dawud, Jihad, 23; Tirmidhi, FAdailu'-Jihad, 11
5-Bukhari, Jihad, 43; Tirmidhi, Jihad, 19; İbnu MaJe, Jihad, 14
6-Razi, XV, 185; Cessas, III, 102; Rıza, X, 69; Tabbera, s.386; Abdülhalim Mahmud, El-Cihadu fi'l-İslam, Daru'l-Mearif, Kahire, s. 17; Kadiri, I, 516; Sabuni, Kabes, III, 161
7-Bilmen, III, 357; Tabbera, s. 386
8-Muhammed Şedid, El-Cihadu fi'l-İslam, Müessesetu Risale, Beyrut, 1985, s.119
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