Introduction

Surah At-Tawbah is often quoted by Islamophobes, masonic controlled media, missionaries, and even polytheists who are completely clueless about what revelation is. Indeed, this Surah contains many statements about fighting or killing disbelievers, fighting Christians and Jews, and so on.

However, these people are ignorant and too lazy to seek knowledge or dig for the truth. They prefer to be deceived and believe whatever suits their lusts and desires. They kind of swallow everything what have been shoveled down their throat. Also, all they know is to argue and dispute everything presented in the Quran without any knowledge. Allah has mentioned in the glorious Al-Quran:

And We have certainly diversified in this Qur’ān for the people from every [kind of] example; but man has ever been, most of anything, [prone to] dispute.

Surah Al-Kahf 18:54

The whole contexts of Surah At-Tawbah is mainly revolved around conflict and war that occurred during the prophethood of Muhammad Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam (May Allah send blessings and Peace Be Upon Him). The rejection of his message at time was always in the form of brutality and violence that require certain level of action to be taken.

Even The first revelation that permitted Muslims to fight in Surah Al-Hajj (22:39-40) was a response to the oppression endured by them at the hands of the Quraysh polytheists (mushrikeen) for over 13 years in Makkah, followed by continued hostilities after the migration to Madinah. The theme of war is actually stretched from Surah Al-Anfal verse 39 and finish at verse 86 in Surah At-Tawbah. So this surah is serve as continuation in details of what actually have occurred during the period of that bloody conflicts.

A Glimpse of Surah Al-Anfal and It’s Relation with Surah At-Tawbah

Surah Al-Anfal came after the Battle of Badr, and Surah At-Tawbah was revealed after the expedition to Tabuk. These surahs were revealed during times of war, so their verses talk about what was happening then. Taking these verses without looking at the full story is a blunder and makes people miss the good lessons in them. Context is the key!

These surahs show the start and end of Rasulullah’s battles with the Quraysh. Surah Al-Anfal talks about the first win and teaches that victory comes from Allah, and being pious is most important. Surah At-Tawbah came after the Muslims’ biggest win, the conquest of Makkah, when they were at their strongest. Both surahs teach how Muslims should act during war, peace, or when they have power. In every case, justice and piety are the most important things. Believe it or not, this very surah that the haters misquoted and relate it with terrorism committed by the so-called Muslims consists of instructions to spare the polytheists and disbelievers who seek peace!

The Whole Context of Surah At-Tawbah

Surah At-Tawbah came down during the time of the Tabuk expedition and talks about the big political stuff that happened that year. It connects to Surah Al-Anfal like they’re one surah because both focus on struggles in battles. The Tabuk expedition was super tough. Rasulullah (PBUH) and 30,000 companions walked through the hot desert in summer to face the Byzantine army. In the end, there was no fight because the Byzantines didn’t show up. Turns out, the verse 9:29 who the Christians claim the verse to slaughter them is just an instruction without real event took place.

The surah explain who the hypocrites were and who loved this world too much that made them refused to join the battle. Also, it mentions other big events, like the Battle of Hunayn. Hunayn is one of only two battles named in the Quran, the other being Badr. At Hunayn, some companions thought having a big army meant they’d win. But they lost at first and only won later after they remembered that victory comes from Allah, not numbers or strength.

Allah has already given you victory in many regions and [even] on the day of Ḥunayn, when your great number pleased you, but it did not avail you at all, and the earth was confining for you with [i.e., in spite of] its vastness; then you turned back, fleeing.

Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers and sent down soldiers [i.e., angels] whom you did not see and punished those who disbelieved. And that is the recompense of the disbelievers.

Verse 25 & 26

Conclusion

It’s important to read every verse and chapter in the Quran with its historical context in mind. It’s no surprise when kafirs cherry-pick verses from the Quran because, let’s be honest, Muslims do it too sometimes, the same way they did. I’ve even done it myself! Lol!

The difference is, when we cherry-pick from other scriptures, we cross-check with other verses that support or align with the point we’re making to give a clearer picture of what it’s about. We kind of have to do this because other scriptures have been corrupted so badly and often contradict themselves. But when kafirs cherry-pick from the Quran, it’s easy to refute because every verse has a backstory, linked to each other and some of them are even backed by historical evidence.

Islamophobes can never destroy Islam by misusing cherry-picked verses from the Quran. If anything, it helps Islam spread even further. The more they push, the more Islam succeeds. History always repeats itself!

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Citations:

1. Suleiman, O. (2021). Reflections on Surah Al-Anfal and Surah At-Tawbah. Retrieved January 6, 2025, from https://quranreflect.com/posts/7529#comments
2. Quran.com.Surah At-Tawbah – 9 [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]. Retrieved January 6, 2025, from https://quran.com/9:1/tafsirs/en-tafisr-ibn-kathir
3. A comprehensive commentary on the Quran – by Reverend E. M. Wherry, volume 2 page 274