Arguments from the Quran

live according to Allah’s laws.” Here, the meaning of “ceasing” does not imply that disbelievers must abandon their disbelief or polytheism, but rather that they must desist from the fitnah (oppression and rebellion). Disbelievers, polytheists, and atheists all have the right to hold their beliefs, worship as they wish, or choose not to worship at all. In addressing this misguidance, we will advise and counsel them, but we will not fight them for their beliefs alone. However, they do not have the right to implement false laws in place of God’s law on earth, or to make God’s servants subservient to anyone other than God. To combat this fitnah, believers may use both persuasion and force, as appropriate and feasible, and a believer will not rest until the disbelievers cease from this fitnah. (Tafheem-ul-Quran, commentary on Al-Baqarah, note 204-205) To understand this argument, let us first review the two verses in the Quran where this command appears: “So kill them; such is the recompense for the disbelievers. But if they desist, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. And fight them until there is no more fitnah (persecution or oppression) and the religion is entirely for Allah.” (Quran, 2:191-193) The second passage is as follows: