This opinion stems from a verse in the Qur'an that states that there is no compulsion in religion. They also point to other verses that seem to suggest Islam's acceptance of a diversity of…

This opinion stems from a verse in the Qur’an that states that there is no compulsion in religion. They also point to other verses that seem to suggest Islam’s acceptance of a diversity of religious beliefs. Jihad is also used in the context of dying for Islam. According to the Qur’an, dying for Islam is the highest form of witness to God. Jihad is sometimes invoked in order to encourage Muslims to participate in wars against non-Muslims because a Muslim who dies on the battlefield for the cause of Islam will be directly admitted into heaven.

Evidence

Even more than San Pedro, Ricoldo summed up the arguments that so many others had used before him. His version of the prophesied fall of Islam was to the effect that Muhammad taught that ‘that religion shall last as long as the victory of its sword shall last’. Islam was the religion of violence and murder: /ex violenta and lex occisionis et mortis. The Qur’an said that there was no compulsion in the religion of God, ‘yet there is no greater compulsion than to compel by killing’. This was one of the contradictions characteristic of the Qur’an; he took up Pedro de Alfonso’s point, and said that the Qur’an, which forbade bitter disputation with men of other religions, yet commanded the death of infidels; in reality God does not love forced service. Compulsion, together with a general approval of murder and robbery, was part of what was carried forward from Muhammad’s personal practice into the future behaviour of Islam. In spite of his own claim to have disputed with Muslims, Ricoldo several times asserted what had now become a Christian dogma, the refusal of Muslims to dispute. — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 710 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The Qur’an references jihad in several places. It carries different meanings based on context. For example, some verses deal with jihad in warfare. Extremist and terrorist Muslims often use these verses to justify aggressive holy war against non-Muslims. They freely declare jihad and justify attacks and murders of all who do not join their campaign. For example, according to a 2016 study conducted by the Carter Center, a non-governmental organization devoted to advancing human rights and alleviating human suffering established by Jimmy Carter in 1982, two of the verses most utilized by ISIS to justify violent jihad are from Surah Tawbah.; There is no universally accepted definition of jihad and nor has there ever been throughout history. There is not even one definition currently accepted by all Muslims. Rather, the doctrine of jihad is the product of the interpretations of various individuals and authorities and how they have applied the principles of sacred texts in various historical and political contexts.; ISIS, for example, seeks to establish a worldwide caliphate in which all Muslims are united under one authority. The group recruits from all over the world, convincing fighters that fighting for this cause will guarantee them a spot in heaven because they will be fighting in the way of God (al-jihad fi sabilillah), thereby making them martyrs. According to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, believers are those who ‘defend themselves when they are oppressed,’ and among the oppressors are ‘the camp of the [J]ews, the crusaders, their allies, and with them the rest of the nations and religions of kufr [unbelief], all being led by America and Russia, and being mobilized by the [J]ews.’ He believes that Muslims must defend themselves, take revenge, and restore their honor, dignity, and superiority. Al-Baghdadi uses this verse to justify attacks on non-Muslims, especially in the West. However, various Qur’anic commentators have interpreted this verse as a reference to a pre-Islamic king who ordered his subjects to kill believers who would not abandon their monotheistic faith. In general, disagreement among Muslims regarding the use of jihad has been deeply influenced by social and political contexts. In fact, in recent decades, many Muslims believe it is their right or obligation to wage jihad against religious, political or social oppression. For this reason, Muslims other than ISIS have also used the warfare justification of jihad to justify holy and unholy wars. For example, Ayatollah Khomeini called on Muslims worldwide, especially in the Gulf, to rebel against un-Islamic rulers. Also, Hamas in Palestine justifies its use of jihad as a resistance movement to Israeli occupation and oppression. (+12 more)

Broader Connections

• ISIS, for example, seeks to establish a worldwide caliphate in which all Muslims are united under one authority. The group recruits from all over the world, convincing fighters that fighting for… #expands (0.85)
• Medieval Christian polemicists framed Islam as a religion of compelled violence #complicates (0.85) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 710
• ISIS, for example, seeks to establish a worldwide caliphate in which all Muslims are united under one authority. The group recruits from all over the world, convincing fighters that fighting for… #exemplifies (0.80)
• Al-Baghdadi uses this verse to justify attacks on non-Muslims, especially in the West. However, various Qur’anic commentators have interpreted this verse as a reference to a pre-Islamic king who… #exemplifies (0.80)
• In general, disagreement among Muslims regarding the use of jihad has been deeply influenced by social and political contexts. In fact, in recent decades, many Muslims believe it is their right or… #expands (0.70)
• Modernist authors of literature on jihad tend to emphasize the defensive aspect of it. They believe that jihad outside of Islamic territory is only permissible when the peaceful propagation of… #qualifies (0.70)
• In their view, jihad is universal revolutionary struggle and that the modernists’ search for moral justifications for jihad is senseless because jihad is prescribed by the Qur’an. At the same… #expands (0.70)
• Qur’anic verse quoted ‘Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into the hearts of the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and… #exemplifies (0.65)
• Most Islamic scholars reject jihad as a tool for forced conversion #qualifies (0.65) — Asena Karipek, Portrayals of Jihad, 31
• Modern Islamic scholars define jihad as spiritual striving, not holy war #qualifies (0.60) — Asena Karipek, Portrayals of Jihad, 69
• During the October war of 1973, Abd al-Halim Mahmud, the rector of Al-Azhar University in Egypt, expressed his opinion that jihad even goes beyond Islam and that it is an obligation for everyone… #expands (0.60)