Index of Verses

“Your wives are a tilth for you; so approach your tilth when and how you like and send ahead some good for yourselves; and fear Allah and know that you shall meet Him; and give good tidings to those who obey.” (2:224)

The allegation against this verse is that it allows men to demand sex from their wives as and when they please without any required consent from the wife.

“And the divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three courses; and it is not lawful for them that they conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allah and the Last Day; and their husbands have the greater right to take them back during that period, provided they desire reconciliation. And they (the women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in equity; but men have a rank above them. And Allah is Mighty, Wise.” (2:229)

In this verse of the Holy Qur’an, some take the words of men being given a ‘degree‘ or ‘rank’ over women to mean that men have been given a higher status, and therefore men are given more importance in Islam. This is a grave mistake, the Holy Qur’an makes it clear: “Whoever does deeds of righteousness, whether male or female, while being a believer – those will enter Paradise, and not the least injustice will be done to them. [4:125]

“And fight in the cause of Allah and know that Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing.” (2:245)

This verse is oft highlighted by detractors without any context or backdrop as an instruction to fight disbelievers, in fact fighting is only sanctioned in defense and protection of fundamental freedoms.

“O ye who believe! when you borrow one from another for a fixed period, then write it down. And let a scribe write it in your presence faithfully; and no scribe should refuse to write, because Allah has taught him, so let him write and let him who incurs the liability dictate; and he should fear Allah, his Lord, and not diminish anything therefrom. But if the person incurring the liability be of low understanding or be weak or be unable himself to dictate, then let someone who can watch his interest dictate with justice. And call two witnesses from among your men; and if two men be not available, then a man and two women, of such as you like as witnesses, so that if either of two women should err in memory, then one may remind the other. And the witnesses should not refuse when they are called. And do not feel weary of writing it down, whether it be small or large, along with its appointed time of payment. This is more equitable in the sight of Allah and makes testimony surer and is more likely to keep you away from doubts; therefore omit not to write except that it be ready merchandise which you give or take from hand to hand, in which case it shall be no sin for you that you write it not. And have witnesses when you sell one to another; and let no harm be done to the scribe or the witness. And if you do that, then certainly it shall be disobedience on your part. And fear Allah. And Allah grants you knowledge and Allah knows all things well.” (2:283)

Citing this verse of the Holy Qur’an, many have alleged the Qur’an views women as inferior in requiring either one man to give oath in a court of law, or instead two women. Most have taken this verse to mean that one woman is incapable of giving testimony in a court of law. However, a careful review of the verse reveals a real practicality with no sense of discrimination against women. In fact, it empowers women to serve as credible witnesses.

“O ye who believe! take not others than your own people as intimate friends; they will not fail to corrupt you. They love to see you in trouble. Hatred has already shown itself through the utterances of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater still. We have made clear to you Our commandments, if you will understand.” (3:119)

The allegation against this verse is that it instructs Muslims not befriend non-Muslims, thus it encourages a sense of Islamic supremacy leading to animosity towards non-Muslims. However, the verse makes no such assertion.

“Let not the believers take disbelievers for friends in preference to believers – and whoever does that has no connection with Allah – except that you cautiously guard against them. And Allah cautions you against His punishment; and to Allah is the returning.” (3:29)

It is alleged that this verse commands Muslims to take only Muslims as friends and everyone else an enemy, the truth of this verse is far from it.

“And they planned, and Allah also planned; and Allah is the Best of planners.” (3:55)

Replacing ‘planned’ with ‘deceived’, detractors frequently allege this as the basis for Taqqiyah or deception in Islam by implying that Allah or God deceived the Jews by making someone else appear as Jesus who became the crucified individual. This verse does not state nor imply anything of the sort.

Do they seek a religion other than Allah’s, while to Him submits whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly.

It is alleged that this verse does not allow for freedom of religion and conscience and that everyone must, willingly or unwillingly, submit to the religion of Islam. However, this allegation is out of context. Freedom of religion is a core tenet of Islam.

“We shall strike terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved because they associate partners with Allah for which He has sent down no authority. Their abode is the Fire; and evil is the habitation of the wrongdoers.” (3:152)

Critics allege that “striking terror” is a justification for terrorist attacks committed by extremists, but this conclusion has no basis when looking at the actual meaning of the verse.

“And if you fear that you will not be just in dealing with the orphans, then marry of other women as may be agreeable to you, two, or three, or four; and if you fear you will not be able to do justice, then marry only one or marry what your right hands possess. Thus it is more likely that you will not do injustice.” (4:4)

It is alleged that this verse reduces the status of women due to it allowing men to marry up to four women.

“Allah commands you concerning your children; a male shall have as much as the share of two females; but if there be females only, numbering more than two, then they shall have two-thirds of what the deceased leave; and if there be one, she shall have the half. And his parents each of them a sixth of the inheritance, if he have a child, but if he have no child and his parents be his heirs, then his mother shall have a third; and if he have brothers and sisters, then his mother shall have a sixth, after the payment of any bequests he may have bequeathed or of debts. Your fathers and your children; you know not which of them is more beneficent to you. This fixing of portions is from Allah. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.” (4:12)

It is alleged that this verse reduces the status of women due to it allowing men to marry up to four women.

And forbidden to you are married women, except such as your right hands possess. This has Allah enjoined on you. And allowed to you are those beyond that, that you seek them by means of your property, marrying them properly and not committing fornication. And for the benefit you receive from them, give them their dowries, as fixed, and there shall be no sin for you in anything you mutually agree upon, after the fixing of the dowry. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.

It is alleged that this verse was revealed to sanction hedonistic sexual relations with married war captives. However, a holistic view of this subject in the Quran and its fundamental teachings reveal otherwise.

“Men are guardians over women because Allah has made some of them excel others, and because they (men) spend of their wealth. So virtuous women are those who are obedient, and guard the secrets of their husbands with Allah’s protection. And as for those on whose part you fear disobedience, admonish them and leave them alone in their beds, and chastise them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Surely, Allah is High, Great.” (4:35)

This verse perhaps has the greatest media exposure with detractors alleging that it permits a man beat his wife if she is disobedient to him. The allegations further press that the verse is the root cause of the physical abuse of women in Muslims societies. This is wholly false. Rather, the verse outlines a diligent and just process of dealing with a terrible act of subversion of the family unit.

“Let those then fight in the cause of Allah who would sell the present life for the Hereafter. And whoso fights in the cause of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, We shall soon give him a great reward.” (4:75)

Critics allege that this verse encourages Muslims to commit violent acts by promising them a paradise in the Hereafter. However, a deeper reading of the context shows a much noble message being delivered.

“Those of the believers who sit still, excepting the disabled ones, and those who strive in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their persons, are not equal. Allah has exalted in rank those who strive with their wealth and their persons above those who sit still. And to each Allah has promised good. And Allah has exalted those who strive above those who sit still, by a great reward.” (4:96)

Critics allege that this verse proves jihad is only physical, but this is a superficial interpretation that is illogical when examining the actual words of the verse and its context.

“And slacken not in seeking these people. If you suffer, they too suffer as you suffer. But you hope from Allah what they hope not. And Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.” (4:105)

Critics say this verse calls for Muslims to be relentless with violence against the disbelievers, but a proper context reveals the legitimate situation of conflict they found themselves in.

“Those who wait for news concerning you. If you have a victory from Allah, they say, ‘Were we not with you?’ And if the disbelievers have a share of it, they say to them, ‘Did we not get the better of you, and protect you against the believers?’ Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection; and Allah will not grant the disbelievers a way to prevail against the believers.” (4:142)

The allegation against this verse is that the phrase “and Allah will not grant the disbelievers a way to prevail against the believers” encourages a sense of supremacy to non-Muslims.

“O ye who believe! when you stand up for Prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows, and pass your wet hands over your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you be unclean, purify yourselves by bathing. And if you are ill or you are on a journey while unclean, or one of you comes from the privy or you have touched women, and you find not water, betake yourselves to pure dust and wipe therewith your faces and your hands. Allah desires not that He should place you in a difficulty but He desires to purify you and to complete His favour upon you, so that you may be grateful.” (5:7)

It is alleged that this verse implies that women are impure as it asks men to perform ablution before prayer if they have been in sexual contact with their wives. This allegation has no merit whatsoever.

“The reward of those who wage war against Allah and his Messenger and strive to create disorder in the land is only this that they be slain or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on alternate sides, or they be expelled from the land. That shall be a disgrace for them in this world and in the Hereafter they shall have a great punishment.” (5:34)

It is alleged this verse prescribes unusually cruel and barbaric punishments, but these are punishments for extreme subversion and there is the alternative of expulsion as an option.

“And fight them until there is no persecution and religion is wholly for Allah. But if they desist then surely Allah is watchful of what they do.” (8:40)

Critics allege that this verse means Muslims should fight all others until everyone only worships Allah. However, a deeper examination will show that this allegation is entirely false.

“Those with whom thou didst make a covenant; then they break their covenant every time, and they do not fear God. So, if thou catchest them in war, then by routing them strike fear in those that are behind them, that they may be admonished. And if thou fearest treachery from a people, throw back to them their covenant with equity. Surely, Allah loves not the treacherous. And let not those who disbelieve think that they have outstripped Us. Surely, they cannot frustrate God’s purpose. And make ready for them whatever you can of armed force and of mounted pickets at the frontier, whereby you may frighten the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you know not, but Allah knows them. And whatever you spend in the way of Allah, it shall be repaid to you in full and you shall not be wronged. And if they incline towards peace, incline thou also towards it, and put thy trust in Allah. Surely, it is He Who is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (8:57-66)

Critics allege that these verses point to a blind aggression against disbelievers. However, when looked at in closely, there are legitimate reasons for this call to fight.

“And when the forbidden months have passed, kill the idolaters wherever you find them and take them prisoners, and beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent and observe Prayer and pay the Zakat, then leave their way free. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful. And if anyone of the idolaters asks protection of thee, grant him protection so they may hear the word of Allah; then convey him to his place of security. That is because they are a people who have no knowledge.” (9:5-6)

The allegation against verses 9:5-6 is that it calls for the wholesale killing of all idolaters unless they accept the religion of Islam, observing prayer and paying the Zakat (welfare tax). And, that protection should only be offered to those who convert to Islam. This allegation is wholly untrue.

“Fight them, that Allah may punish them at your hands, and humiliate them, and help you to victory over them, and relieve the minds of a people who believe;” (9:14)

It is alleged that this verse promotes hatred, justification for violence and terrorist groups who advocate hatred and humiliation of non-Muslims. However, proper scrutiny reveals otherwise.

“Fight those from among the People of the Book who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor hold as unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have declared to be unlawful, nor follow the true religion, until they pay the tax with their own hand and acknowledge their subjection.” (9:29)

It is alleged that this verse calls for Muslims to fight Jews and Christians who refuse to follow Islam and bring them under the subjection of Muslims.

Surely, Allah has purchased of the believers their persons and their property in return for the Garden they shall have; they fight in the cause of Allah, and they slay and are slain– a promise that He has made incumbent on Himself in the Torah, and the Gospel, and the Quran. And who is more faithful to His promise than Allah. Rejoice, then, in your bargain which you have made with Him; and that is which is the supreme triumph. (9:111)

Although critics say this verse encourages suicide attacks, this interpretation is quite baseless when looking at the exact meaning of the verse with an unbiased lens.

“Whoso disbelieves in Allah after he has believed – save him who is forced thereto while his heart finds peace in the faith – but such as open their breasts to disbelief, on them is Allah’s wrath; and they shall have a severe punishment.” (16:107)

It is alleged that this verse promotes Taqqiyah, or deception, by permitting a Muslim to conceal their true beliefs to further the cause of Islam. Just a plain reading of the verse suggests nothing of the sort.

“And when We intend to destroy a township, we address Our commandments to its rebellious people, but they transgress therein; so the sentence of punishment becomes due against it, and We destroy it with utter destruction.” (17:17)

Although this verse is misinterpreted to show that it sanctions Muslims to attack other nations or peoples, that is actually not the case here at all.

“And kill not the soul which Allah has forbidden save for a just cause. And whoever is killed wrongfully, We have surely given his heir authority (to demand retaliation), but let him not exceed the (prescribed) bounds in slaying; for (therein) he is helped by law.” (17:34)

Some critics allege that this verse encourages Muslims to kill non-Muslims, but this verse isn’t even addressing a state of war.

“Then found they one of Our servants upon whom We had bestowed Our mercy, and whom We had taught knowledge from Ourself. Moses said to him, ‘May I follow thee on condition that thou teach me of the guidance which thou hast been taught?’ He replied, ‘Thou canst not keep company with me in patience. And how canst thou be patient about things the knowledge of which thou comprehendest not? He said, ‘Thou wilt find me, if Allah please, patient and I shall not disobey any command of thine.’ He said, ‘Well, if thou wouldst follow me, then ask me no questions about anything till I myself speak to thee concerning it.’ So they both set out till, when they embarked in a boat, he staved it in. Moses said, ‘Hast thou staved it in to drown those who are in it? Surely, thou hast done an evil thing.’ He replied, ‘Did I not tell thee that thou wouldst not be able to keep company with me in patience?’ Moses Said, ‘Take me not to task at my forgetting and be not hard on me for this lapse of mine.’ So they journeyed on till, when they met a young boy, he slew him. Moses said, ‘Hast thou slain an innocent person without his having slain any one? Surely, thou hast done a hideous thing’. He replied, ‘Did I not tell thee that thou wouldst not be able to keep company with me in patience?’ Moses said, ‘If I ask thee concerning anything after this, keep me not in thy company, for then thou shalt have got sufficient excuse from me.’ So they went on till, when they came to the people of a town, they asked its people for food, but they refused to make them their guests. And they found therein a wall which was about to fall, and he repaired it. Moses said, ‘If thou hadst desired, thou couldst have taken payment for it.’ He said, ‘This is the parting of ways between me and thee. I will now tell thee the meaning of that which thou wast not able to bear with patience: As for the boat, it belonged to certain poor people who worked on the sea; and I desired to damage it, for there was behind them a king, who seized every boat by force. And as for the youth, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should cause them trouble through rebellion and disbelief. So we desired that their Lord should give them in exchange a child better than him in purity and closer in filial affection. And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town, and beneath it was a treasure belonging to them, and their father had been a righteous man, so thy Lord desired that they should reach their age of full strength and take out their treasure, as a mercy from thy Lord; and I did it not of my own accord. This is the explanation of that which thou wast not able to bear with patience.” (18:66-83)

It is alleged that since verses 18:66-83 speak of slaying a child because he would rebel and bring dishonor to his righteous parents, they are the inspiration for the crime of honor killings. Honor killings are done to a member of one’s family if they are thought to bring a grave dishonor or shame upon the family by indulging in sinful activity such as adultery. However, as evident in the explanation below, there is no such sanction in these verses. Islamic teachings forbid the unjust taking of a life.

And who guard their chastity– Except from their wives or what their right hands possess, for then they are not to be blamed;

The expression ‘those posessed by the right hand’ oft appears in Quran and critics allege it sanctions a hedonistic trait of keeping sex slaves. But, a hollistic view of Quran’s verses, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace) and circumstances illustrates this is not the case.

O Prophet, We have made lawful to thee thy wives whom thou hast paid their dowries, and those whom thy right hand possesses from among those whom Allah has given thee as gains of war…

It is alleged that this verse allows women to be taken in war as slaves for the purpose of sexual pleasure. However, a broader perspective if Quranic teachings, the circumstances of war and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace) life reveals no such intent.

“If the hypocrites, and those in whose heart is a disease, and those who cause agitation in the city, desist not, We shall surely give thee authority over them; then they will not dwell therein as thy neighbors, save for a little while.” (33:61-62)

It is alleged that these verses refer to all disbelievers as hypocrites and call for Muslims to dominate them. In fact, these verses refer to a specific tribe of Medina that was found in treason with the enemy.

“And a believing man from among the people of Pharaoh, who concealed his faith, said, Will you slay a man because he says, ‘My Lord is Allah,’ while he has brought you clear proofs from your Lord? And if he be a liar, on him will be the sin of his lie; but if he is truthful, then some of that which he threatens you with will surely befall you. Certainly Allah guides not one who is a transgressor, and a liar.” (40:29)

This verse gives the example of a believer in the court of Pharaoh who concealed his true faith, however it is historically well understood that Pharaoh was brutally intolerant of other faiths.

Surely all believers are brothers. So make peace between brothers, and fear Allah that mercy may be shown to you.

It is alleged that this verse proclaims that only Muslims can have a true brotherhood with peace among themselves. The Quran expounds that peace among all peoples is the desired state, military conflict should be the last option.

“Those who believe not in the Hereafter name the angels with names of females.” (53:28)

It is alleged that this verse announces that angels cannot be female, only males.

“Verily, Allah loves those who fight in His cause arrayed in solid ranks, as though they were a strong structure cemented with molten lead.” (61:5)

To understand this verse requires a deeper look at the historical backdrop of the Muslims’ specific need and purpose for a strong and unified army.

He it is Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the Religion of truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religions, even if those who associate partners with God hate it.

The allegation against this verse is that Islam is to be spread by force to make it prevail over all other religions. Thus, it should be spread by force if necessary and extremists use this idea to force Islam on to others. The Quran is clear in that religion cannot be forced on to anyone.

“O Prophet! why dost thou forbid thyself that which Allah has made lawful to thee, seeking the pleasure of thy wives? And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful. Allah has indeed allowed to you the dissolution of your oaths, and Allah is your Friend; and He is All-Knowing, Wise. And when the Prophet confided a matter unto one of his wives and she then divulged it, and Allah informed him of it, he made known to her part thereof, and avoided mentioning part of it. And when he informed her of it, she said, ‘Who has informed thee of it?’ He said, ‘The All-Knowing, the All-Aware God has informed me.’ Now if you two turn unto Allah repentant, it will be better for you, and your hearts are already so inclined. But if you back up each other against him, surely Allah is his Helper and Gabriel and the righteous among the believers; and furthermore, all other angels too are his helpers. It may be that, if he divorce you, his Lord will give him instead wives better than you — resigned, believing, obedient, always turning to God, devout in worship, given to fasting, both widows and virgins.” (66:2-6)

It is alleged that this verse sets a warning that women should be obedient or men can seek other wives who will be obedient.