# Does the Koran Say That It is Ok to Kill Non Muslims? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 13, 2001, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397 "2001-09-13T17:58:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wildest\_Bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Wildest\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildest_Bill)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/1 "2001-09-13T17:58:48Z")
I just heard this at lunch from a coworker. So I thought I would get the Straight Dope on it. Is it true or not? ---
**Author:** ![jonfromdenver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@jonfromdenver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonfromdenver)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/2 "2001-09-13T18:05:20Z")
NO. not in the slightest. the american view of islam is becoming more warped every minute. ---
**Author:** ![maralinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@maralinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maralinn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/3 "2001-09-13T18:05:28Z")
The Koran says it’s okay to kill non-Muslims pretty much the same way the Bible says it’s okay to kill abortionists. If it did, I don’t think the Muslim community would be condemning the attacks. [http://islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=AM0109-335](http://islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=AM0109-335) ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/4 "2001-09-13T18:14:25Z")
Qur’an 2:256: “There is no compulsion in religion.” If you would like to browse the Qur’an, there is a convenient online resource [here](http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/koran/). This allows searches for short phrases, and has the entire text available by chapter. Please remember that it is possible to react to something without understanding it. You may read something that surprises you, but take a deep breath, realize that Islam IS a peaceful religion, and keep reading. In my experience, the book is far more fascinating than most other religious texts. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/5 "2001-09-13T18:16:54Z")
The source for the mistaken perception that the Koran allows for killing non-Muslims could be bin Laden himself: [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/who/interview.html](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/who/interview.html) In the linked interview he rationalizes all the killing as glorifying Allah. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/6 "2001-09-13T18:24:45Z")
Thanks, **lno** , nice link. I found these passages particularly interesting. It speak to the hypocrisy of certain radicals who claim to be faithful: > [@](#): > > from the Qur’an: > [2.8] And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah and the last day; and they are not at all believers. > [2.9] They desire to deceive Allah and those who believe, and they deceive only themselves and they do not perceive. > [2.10] There is a disease in their hearts, so Allah added to their disease and they shall have a painful chastisement because they lied. > [2.11] And when it is said to them, Do not make mischief in the land, they say: We are but peace-makers. > [2.12] Now surely they themselves are the mischief makers, but they do not perceive. > [2.13] And when it is said to them: Believe as the people believe they say: Shall we believe as the fools believe? Now surely they themselves are the fools, but they do not know. > [2.14] And when they meet those who believe, they say: We believe; and when they are alone with their Shaitans, they say: Surely we are with you, we were only mocking. > [2.15] Allah shall pay them back their mockery, and He leaves them alone in their inordinacy, blindly wandering on. > [2.16] These are they who buy error for the right direction, so their bargain shall bring no gain, nor are they the followers of the right direction. Shalom ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/7 "2001-09-13T18:31:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jonfromdenver \* > \*\*NO. not in the slightest. the american view of islam is becoming more warped every minute. \*\* Please do not assume that Bill and his equally ill-informed co-workers represent in any way “the American view of Islam.” Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![jonfromdenver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@jonfromdenver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonfromdenver)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/8 "2001-09-13T18:36:09Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by pldennison_ > Please do not assume that Bill and his equally ill-informed co-workers represent in any way “the American view of Islam.” Thank you. with the mosques being attacked today and yesterday and the persecution of muslims and arabic-looking people in this country, i cannot help but assume the general non-muslim public is misinformed and corrupted. i wish it weren’t so, but it is. ---
**Author:** ![maralinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@maralinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maralinn)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/9 "2001-09-13T18:40:44Z")
Thank you for sharing that passage, Shiboleth! I will be quoting it to everybody who thinks all Muslims condone terrorism. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/10 "2001-09-13T18:53:20Z")
I am going to quote another poster in a different thread, since their post is equally applicable and valuable in this one. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **Jomo Mojo** _ > I have been studying Islam and other comparative religion for over 15 years. At the graduate level. Here are some facts: > > When the Qur’an says to fight for the faith, it refers to defensive action against attacking armies. > > The Islamic law of warfare based on this and on Prophet Muhammad’s explicit commands is to fight only enemy soldiers. It is explicitly forbidden to kill or harm or even threaten the following classes of people: Women, children, old people, members of religious orders. In other words, all noncombatants. It is also forbidden to destroy crops or trees. Also, suicide is absolutely forbidden. Thus all terrorist actions that harm anyone other than soldiers are in violation of Islamic law. Anyone who claims to serve “Islam” by such crimes is a liar and a fraud. In addition, military actions can only be commanded by authorized leaders, not by just anyone. So for several reasons, terrorism is completely outside Islam. There is no question about this. It is not a matter of interpretation. All scholars of Islamic law are unanimous on this. ---
**Author:** ![Saxman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Saxman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saxman)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/11 "2001-09-13T19:01:33Z")
Indeed, many thanks, Shibboleth. As a Muslim, I’ve read that passage numerous times before, but only now does it take on a whole new meaning for me. ---
**Author:** ![Wildest\_Bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Wildest\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildest_Bill)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/12 "2001-09-13T19:12:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pldennison \* > > Please do not assume that Bill and his equally ill-informed co-workers represent in any way “the American view of Islam.” Thank you. \*\* Hey, pld I didn’t say I believed I just asked the question so I would know for sure. I have, however, heard it on a few radio shows in the last couple of days. I kinda figured the radical muslims took some verse out of context so they kill people. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/13 "2001-09-13T19:32:49Z")
Not fair to jump down Bill’s throat. Like it or not, true or not, this IS a widely held view in the U.S. The question is, why does everyone think this? Like any UL, how did this one start? Is it just a corruption of the idea that “defenders of the faith” go straight to paradise if they die? And what are the words from the Prophet that lead people to believe even this? ---
**Author:** ![jonfromdenver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@jonfromdenver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonfromdenver)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/14 "2001-09-13T19:44:44Z")
uninformed americans cannot help but question the practices of islam in foreign countries, when the only glimpses they see of it is in the terrorist media. we never hear from the media any of the good and charitable things that have come from those of the islamic faith, simply because that doesn’t sell. > [@](#): > > _originally posted by toadspittle_ > Like any UL, how did this one start? Is it just a corruption of the idea that “defenders of the faith” go straight to paradise if they die? that sort of belief has been around for centuries in numerous religions. people have been conned into joining armed forces by religious heads who twist their faith. as far as i know the christian and jewish bibles, as well as the Qur’an do not promote this belief. ---
**Author:** ![Saxman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Saxman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saxman)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/15 "2001-09-13T20:02:45Z")
Although the fundamental sources of the West’s negative views of Islam are the legacies of the Crusades and colonial imperialism, this is GQ so I’ll stick to the OP. 🙂 From the Quran, chapter 60, verses 8 and 9: “God does not forbid you to treat with goodness and justice those who do not fight you on account of your religion nor drive you out of your homes; truly, God loves those who are just. Indeed, God only forbids you turning in friendship to those who fight you on account of religion and drive you out of your homes, and assist (others) in driving you out; and whoever turns to them (in friendship), they are wrongdoers.” (The possibly confusing use of “God does not forbid” instead of “God permits” arises from the theological principle, or _asl_, that all of God’s Creation is there for our benefit and enjoyment except that which the Quran (and sayings or practices of Prophet Muhammad) rule out: “It is He who created all that is in the earth for you…” (Quran, 2:29, etc.) Palestinian terrorists can justify their violence to themselves because they believe they have been driven out of their homes and are persecuted for their faith. Debatable points, certainly, but at least their reasoning is internally consistent with their theology. (Incidentally, not all Arabs are Muslims, and not all Muslims are Arab – such as myself; my family is originally from Pakistan.) In the case of bin Laden, however, the theological justification fails. His fundamental problem with the U.S. is that we have maintained a permanent presence in Saudi Arabia since the Gulf War, which contains Islam’s two holiest sites. His overt reason for hating us is that we are supposedly an occupation force. A possibly more likely reason is that since the Saudi government is widely seen as corrupt, and since Saudi laws allow no legal avenue for dissent (leaving only terrorism), and since they kicked him out of the country for his opposition, the government and its supporters (i.e., the U.S. government) are his enemies. At one point, bin Laden had said that American civilians are not legitimate targets in his war against us, but then he reneged and said we are, by virtue of supporting the “oppressors” through our tax payments. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/16 "2001-09-13T20:20:36Z")
I also don’t think it is fair to attack **WB** on this one. He heard something that sounded suspicious so he questioned it here. That is what this forum is all about. People should not be condemned for seeking the truth, especially not here. ---
**Author:** ![Russell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/50afbb/32.png) [@Russell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Russell)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/17 "2001-09-13T21:43:57Z")
just thought i’d add my 2 cents worth and share the following with y’all: Hijacking planes and kidnapping From that which is known to everyone who has the slightest bit of common sense is that hijacking airplanes and kidnapping children and the like are extremely great crimes, the world over. Their evil effects are far and wide, as is the great harm and inconvenience caused to the innocent; the total effect of which none can comprehend except Allaah. Likewise, from that which is known is that these crimes are not specific to any particular country over and above another country, nor any specific group over and above another group, rather it encompasses the whole world. There is no doubt about the effect of these crimes; so it is obligatory upon the governments and those responsible from amongst the scholars and other than them to afford these issues great concern, and to exert themselves as much as possible in ending this evil. Shaykh Ibn Baaz Kayfa Nu’aalij Waaqi’unaa al-Aleem - Page 108-109 … Taken from: [http://www.fatwa-online.com](http://www.fatwa-online.com) ---
**Author:** ![djbdjb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@djbdjb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/djbdjb)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/18 "2001-09-13T22:03:05Z")
[47.4] So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favor or let them ransom (themselves) until the war terminates. That (shall be so); and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have exacted what is due from them, but that He may try some of you by means of others; and (as for) those who are slain in the way of Allah, He will by no means allow their deeds to perish. ---
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/19 "2001-09-13T22:28:30Z")
The New York Times is offering newspapers the following story that had appeared a few months ago: June 25, 2000, Sunday Inside Jihad U.; The Education of a Holy Warrior By Jeffrey Goldberg Source: The New York Times Section: Magazine Desk 7698 words Abstract Jeffrey Goldberg article on Haqqania Madrasa, a militant Muslim seminary in Pakistan, and its graduates among the leaders of Taliban movement in Afghanistan, who are notable for their cruelty to women, hospitality to terrorists like Osama bin Laden and deep belief in the notion of a never-ending jihad, or holy war, against forces hostile to Islam, be it America, Israel or India; Haqqania’s leader, Samiul Haq, gave him full access to the madrasa to prove that it is not a training camp for terrorists, but its young students seem to believe that terrorism can be Koranically correct, would like to see bin Laden armed with nuclear weapons and are kept ignorant of the world and any interpretation of Koran that would keep them from falling into terrorism; photos (L) (The above is freely available at the [http://www.nytimes.com](http://www.nytimes.com) web site when you search the archives.) I will respect the Times copyright by not reprinting the article. The writer gets into a discussion with these students, and their answers to his questions show a severe disconnect with reality. For example, since atomic weapons come from Allah, then they have the right to use them against Allah’s enemies. The writer reads them an English translation of the 1998 fatwa issued by bin Laden’s organization, calling for the deaths of “Americans and their allies – civilians and military,” and they respond that it’s a forgery of the Americans. In other words, it doesn’t matter what the Koran says, it’s what these youths – many of them refugees with no family, no money and no home other than these schools – are being taught. This goes a long way toward explaining who are enemies are. ---
**Author:** ![Saxman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Saxman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saxman)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2001, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397/20 "2001-09-13T22:34:34Z")
Per the passage quoted above by djbdjb: [QUOT]“So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve”[/QUOT] The Quran says, in other parts, that force may only be used defensively, or pre-emptively, in response to an enemy offensive. [QUOT]“then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favor or let them ransom (themselves) until the war terminates.”[/QUOT] While war will always have its casualties, the passage above clearly indicates (the meaning of “smite” being a flexible one) that taking prisoners is preferable whenever possible. After all, if “smite” uniformly meant “kill”, a dead prisoner wouldn’t have much use for later being set free. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-koran-say-that-it-is-ok-to-kill-non-muslims/81397.md?page=2)