or in the difference of the oppressed. When read in its proper context, there is no verse of the Qur'an that can be used to justify killing Non-Muslims just for being Non-Muslims. The Qur'an on several occasions says "Fight against those who disbelieve in Islam" but when this is quoted it must be quoted in its context. First the word used for "fight" is also translated as "strive" because physical confrontation is not the sole means of dispelling crime in the Qur'an. Striving would also include talking,debating, negotiating,bolstering your people who deter enemies from fighting, and inviting others to our way of life. All of these methods are to be implored according to the Qur'an, when Muslims are striving against those who disbelieve. But when the Qur'an is specifically talking about war, it is always in reference to self-defense or the defense of those who cannot defend themselves. This is what is meant by the phrase "Fight in the cause of ALLAH."

The early Muslims and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were in grave danger for speaking out against the ills of their society. There were enormous numbers of Arabs against Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) upstarts. ALLAH repeatedly commands them in the Qur'an to fight oppression, to fight presecution until it does not exist despite the tremendous odds that they faced. But often times these circumstances are not addressed when the discussion over a verse of the Qur'an is mentioned. For example, Chapter 9 verse 29 says  "Fight against those who believe not in ALLAH, nor the Last Day...." This verse has often been used by detractors of Islam to suggest that the Qur'an allows Muslims to fight any and all who do not believe in ALLAH, but had the verse been read in its proper context, this misunderstanding would have never come about. Had they read the verses preceding this verse, they would know that this was in regards to a specific group of Pagans who entered a treaty with the Muslims and later broke this treaty and attacked the Muslims. Actually 9:13 alone makes this abundantly clear. The Muslims were attacked first, i.e. self-defense, and the Pagans had broken their oath. Not only that, the Qur'an tells the Muslims to take the prisoners of war to a place of safety and even offer them Islam (9:6). These claims against Islam are probably an innocent mistake, but their prepetuation is cause for great concern. It is a Muslim's duty to educate others on the truth of Islam and I would like tothank those who brought up this issue for having made a sincere effort to discuss Islam and their views on Islam.