Debunking Islamophobic Myths About 26 Wartime Verses Of Quran Considered Militant And Exclusivist: Part 2 On Verse 9:28

Responding To Questions About The Impurity Of The Polytheists As Stated In Verse 9:28 Main Points: 1. That the polytheists are unclean refers to the polytheists of Makka. 2. The divine declaration that "polytheists are unclean" alludes to their polytheism, betrayal of peace treaties, and religious persecution. 3. This prohibition has been interpreted by Hanafi, Shafii, Maliki and Hanbali in a variety of ways. ----- By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 30 March 2022 The following verse is also used to incite anti-Islamic sentiment: “O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Haram after this, their [final] year. And if you fear privation, Allah will enrich you from His bounty if He wills. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Wise”. (9:28) Several questions are raised with regard to the aforementioned verse. In this verse, who are the polytheists mentioned? Why is it that polytheists are described as unclean in this verse? Are they unclean physically or spiritually? Or are they unclean only because of their polytheism and infidelity beliefs? Is it simply forbidden for polytheists to enter al-Masjid al-Haram or all Masajid all over the world? Is it permissible for them to attend al-Masjid al-Haram only on Hajj and Umrah days, or also on other days? These are the questions I've addressed in this section after reviewing the accessible materials, and none of the points is mine; they're all drawn from popular Quranic interpretations. Who are the polytheists specifically mentioned in this verse? They are the polytheists of Makkah who did not keep their peace deal, as indicated in the previous part. Why is it that polytheists are described as unclean in this verse? Why is it that polytheists are described as unclean in this verse? Are they unclean physically or spiritually? Or are they unclean only because of their polytheism and infidelity beliefs? If you examine the various Quranic interpretations to discover answers to these questions, it will become evident that the divine declaration that "polytheists are unclean" alludes to their polytheism, betrayal of peace treaties, and religious persecution. Is it simply forbidden for polytheists to enter al-Masjid al-Haram or all Masajid all over the world? Is it permissible for them to attend al-Masjid al-Haram only on Hajj and Umrah days, or also on other days? Yes, it was prohibited for Mushrikin/Polytheists to enter al-Masjid al-Haram. This prohibition has been interpreted in a variety of ways. According to Imam Abu Hanifah, it simply prevents them from performing Hajj and Umrah, as well as from performing the ceremonies of ignorance in the sacred precincts. However, Imam Shafii believes that they have been barred from entering the Al-Masjid-Al-Haram for any reason. According to Imam Malik, they are not only forbidden to enter Al-Masjid-Al-Haram but any mosque. The latter viewpoint is not accepted by the majority of scholars and Ulama. According to Mufti Badruddoja Razvi, Impurity in this Quranic verse does not refer to what comes to mind, such as urinating and excrement, as anti-Islamic elements spread. Instead, impurity refers to their polytheism, which is spiritually filthy, or it could be interpreted as they have been labelled ‘unclean’ because they do not perform proper purification and bathing (Taharat and Ghusl, specific modes of purification described in Islam), and they do not avoid impurity, as it is common to see them urinate standing up and without avoiding urine splashes. They defecate in a small amount of water. Impurity has been applied to them as a result of these factors. This verse does not imply that they are as filthy as urination and excrement, as Abi Saud clarifies in his commentary. (Tafsir Abi Saud vol. 4, p. 57) In his commentary on Sahih Muslim, under the chapter "The evidence that a Muslim is not unclean," Imam Nawawi said, "The disbeliever has the same decree as the Muslim." This is also the Shaafii view and the majority of the pious predecessors and successors (Salaf and Khalaf). "Polytheists are unclean" the scripture adds, referring to the impurity of polytheism and infidelity of the polytheists and disbelievers. This isn't to say that their limbs are unclean, as urine and excrement are.” In the verse “So after this year they would not be allowed to come near the Sacred Mosque after this year (9:28),” the Quran commands Muslims to keep infidels and polytheists of the Makka from entering the Sacred Mosque. This rule is based on the "impurity of polytheism" and the prohibition on accessing al-Masjid al-Haram is based on hyperbole. The prohibition in this verse, according to Imam Abu Hanifa, is intended to prevent polytheists from doing Hajj and Umrah, not from the Haram, al-Masjid al-Haram and other mosques. Imam Shafii believes that the restriction here refers to preventing polytheists from entering al-Masjid al-Haram. It has been commanded here, according to Imam Malik, to expel polytheists from all mosques. The viewpoints of these Imams and Jurists are mentioned in Abi Saud's commentary. (Tafsir Abi Saud, Vol:4, 57) The preferred view among Hanafi and Shafii scholars was not clarified by the author of Tafsir Abi Saud. Mufti Badruddoja Razvi examines the viewpoints of Hanafis and Shafiis, citing what is found in Sharh—E-Sahih Muslim, a commentary book of Allama Ghulam Rasool Saeedi. According to the Shafiis, infidels and polytheists are not permitted to visit the Haram, although they are permitted to enter other mosques with the permission of Muslims. Allama Taqi al-Din al-Subki, a great Shafii jurist, says, “The Infidel, in general, will be barred from entering the Haram, be he a Dhimmi or a Musta’min.” Dhimmi is a non-Muslim living in a Muslim country, and a Musta'min is a non-Muslim who comes to a Muslim country with a temporary passport or visa. Another Shafii scholar, Imam Nawawi says, “It is permissible for a disbeliever to enter mosques other than the Haram with the permission of Muslims, no matter whether he is a dhimmi or Musta’min, idolater, or from the people of Book or Ahle Kitab. The reason is that when a delegation of Thaqif came to the Prophet (peace be upon him), he set up a tent for them in the mosque. When they accepted Islam, they fasted. Imam Tabrani has recorded this hadith with the authentic chain. There is another report narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him), which mentions the arrest of Thumama ibn Athal and tying him to the pillar of the mosque. That is why Imam Shafai' ruled that an infidel is allowed to enter a mosque with the permission of Muslims even if he is not from the People of the Book. However, an infidel is not allowed to enter the mosques and Haram of Makkah. Allama Nawawi has written in his book "Majmoo" that our companions have stated that no infidel should be allowed to enter the Haram but it is permissible for the infidel to enter every mosque outside the Haram, and with the permission of the Muslims he can stay in the mosque at night.”(Tikmilah Sharh -e-Tahzib, Vol. 9, p. 436, 437 Published by Dar al-Fikr, Beirut) Non-covenanted polytheists, i.e. those with whom there is no agreement or law of peace, shall be barred from visiting the Haram and the rest of the mosques, according to Hanafi authorities. Similarly, covenanted non-Muslims with whom there is an agreement or constitution of peace will not be denied access to the Haram or the other mosques. Imam Muhammad (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) writes in his book "al-Sayr al-Kabeer, “Zuhri has narrated that Abu Sufyan used to come to the mosque during the peace-treaty days of Hudaybiyyah, while he was a disbeliever at that time. However, it is not permissible for an infidel to enter al-Masjid al-Haram because Allah Almighty says, “The polytheists are impure and they should not come near Al-Masjid al-Haram.” From Imam Mohammad's words, it appears that polytheists will be barred from entering al-Masjid al-Haram in general, but he has made it clear in his Jami' Saghir that there is no prohibition for the covenanted infidels or people living under the protection of peace or peace-constitution. He says, “The people of the covenant are permitted to enter the Sacred Mosque (al-Masjid al-Haram)”. (al-Jami' al-Saghir, p. 153, published by Mustafai Hind) Following Imam Muhammad's reasoning, Hanafi jurists believe that covenanted unbelievers or Mushrikin with whom there is a peace accord will not be prevented from accessing the Kaaba and the other mosques. This prohibition is only applicable to non-covenanted polytheists. The Fatawa Alamgiri says, “There is no barrier for the covenanted people to enter al-Masjid al-Haram and other mosques, and this is the true position, as stated in Imam Sarkhasi's book ‘Al Muheet.’” [Fatawa al-Alamgiri, vol. 5, p. 346, published by Kubrah Aamiriyah, Bulaq, Egypt] Imam Malik opines that non-Muslims of any kind are not allowed to enter any mosque, whether it is al-Masjid al-Haram or otherwise. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal holds the view that it is forbidden for polytheists to enter any part of the Sacred land (Haram Sharif, i.e. the part of Makkah which comes under the land of Haram). There is no specification for Masjid-e-Haram. As for the mosques located outside Haram, there are two types of statements narrated by him. (Allama Ghulam Rasool Saeedi, Sharh-e-Sahih Muslim, vol. 3, pp. 681, 682, 683) ------ 1. The Verses of Jihad: Meaning, Denotation, Reason of Revelation and Background- Part 3 2. Are All The Mushrikin For All Times “Spiritually Unclean” (Rijz) (Literal Reading Of Verse 9:28 Of The Qur’an)? ------ Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. Related Article: Debunking Islamophobic Myths about 26 Wartime Verses: Part 1 on Verse 9:5 URL: New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism