Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Sallams to you. I am at present in India and will remail here for some time as I amtaking my family out for a vacation. So I shall not see you for some time on the wednesday meetings. I am still continuing my reading of the Holy Quran from Maudidi and there a few queires whisch i would like you to clarify for me and also take up with Hafez saab on your next meeting. I have reached Suraah Tauba and would like to know why we dont say Bismillah Arakmah Nirahim in the begginning of this particular suraah and if there are any other similar suraahs later on in the Quran. I was told this by my mother,who incidentally has been reading the urdu translations of the quraan since years, and very soon will start with Maududis english version which you have given me. She is very well versed in the quraan and is also a graduate and is well versed in English also and is looking forward to the English Translation. When i was listening to the Taawil and english translation on the cassettes given to me by brother Abid i though maybe there is an error but afterwards looked it up in all the Copies of the Quraan and was wondering for the reason. In this particular suraah very harsh consequences have been prescribed for the Non Muslims in an Islamic state specially the Jaziyah tax and we always beleive that Islam is very tolerant and would rather have people come to islam with their hearts rather than force. Also in the modern context,specially now with modern secular states and the vast spread of knowledge how relevant are some of the stricter parts of this surah, like protection of non muslims and other teachings.

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Answer:

Why Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Rahim is missing in Surah Taubah?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and who-ever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Comment: I have reached Suraah Tauba and would like to know why we dont say Bismillah Arakmah Nirahim in the begginning of this particular suraah and if there are any other similar suraahs later on in the Quran

This is the Only Surah in the Glorious Quran, to which ‘Bismillah …’ is not prefixed. The commentators of the Holy Quran have given several reasons and wisdoms behind this, and one of the best and most accepted reason is that the Messenger of Allah (saws) himself did not dictate the prefix, ‘Bismillah….’ At the beginning of Surah Taubah. Therefore the noble companions in the compilation of the Glorious Quran did not prefix it. This is the a further proof of the fact that utmost care has been taken to keep the Holy Quran intact so that it should remain in its complete and original form.

It could also be that the Surah Taubah straight away starts with a warning to the ‘mushrik’, pagans and the enemies of Islam, who were constantly in wait to ambush the Message and making plans to disrupt the propagation of Islam, to either accept Islam or leave the Arabian subcontinent. And some commentators have said that it would have been inappropriate for Allah to prefix His Attributes as ‘Rahmaan’ (The Gracious) and ‘Raheem’ (The Merciful) at the beginning of this declaration; because what shines here in the beginning of Surah Taubah are His Attributes of the All Mighty and All Powerful. But for a believer the best explanation should be, that the Messenger of Allah (saws) himself did not prefix ‘Bismillah ….’ At the beginning of Surah Taubah.

My beloved brother, the Holy Quran must always be understood in context. It is important to keep the historical background in view when reading each passage of the Holy Quran. This first part of this Surah was revealed in the ninth year after migration of the Prophet (saws) and into the second year after the Great Conquest of Makkah. Almost all of the Arabian continent had accepted Islam, save a few treacherous tribes, who were constantly in wait for a weakness so that they could pounce on the opportunity to attack the muslims. This declaration of the abrogation of the treaties with the mushriks and the pagans was made in accordance to and regarding the treacherous people, for it is treachery from the Islamic point of view to wage war against any people with whom a treaty of peace had been made, without openly declaring that the treaty has been terminated. Thus this declaration was necessitated against those clans who were always hatching plots against Islam, in spite of the treaties they had made. They would break the treaties and turn hostile on the very first opportunity for treachery. This declaration smashed all their evil designs of creating trouble by inciting civil war at the time of a threat from the Roman and the Iranian Empires or after the death of the Prophet (saws). But Allah turned the tables on them before the opportune moment for which they were waiting came.

The wisdom of this grand declaration and plan of Allah became apparent when the mischief of apostasy broke out in different parts of Arabia eighteen months after this declaration at the death of the Prophet (saws). This disturbance was so sudden and violent that it shook to its foundations the newly created Islamic State, and would have done a far greater and considerable harm if the organized power of the mushriks and the pagans had not been broken beforehand by this declaration of Allah and His Messenger (saws).

The ‘Jaziyah’ tax was imposed by Allah and His Messenger in an Islamic State so that the pagans and the mushriks would live in humility, and in recognition of their Islamic rulers. Also it was the price they had to pay in lieu of the benefits of living in peace and security in the Islamic State. They pagans were allowed to follow their own religion, and they also agreed to pay this tax, as they did not have to pay the ‘zakaat’ or enlist and fight any battles for the protection of the state. They were promised peace and lived under the security and treaty of the Muslims, and without the fear of any outside clan attacking them.

Islam is indeed a tolerant religion, and we are not allowed force to convert anybody to Islam in the Holy Quran. Contrary to popular belief, no one ever converted to Islam by force, nor did the muslims ever convert anybody by force in the history of Islam, simply, because it is against the very principles of Islam to convert anybody by force! Yes, the muslims fought any power that would try and stop the propagation of Islam. The muslims would preach the doctrines of Islam, and if anybody wanted to accept Islam, they were welcome. But if any power would prosecute the people because they had converted to Islam, the muslims would wage a war against them, till everybody was allowed to follow any religion of his own free choice.

Islam is a religion gained by knowledge and one will only convert if he is fully satisfied in his heart about the doctrines and message of Islam. If Islam had used force to convert people to Islam, today Spain would have been 100% muslim! It was always the pagans and the European Christians who used force against the muslim populations and persecuted them for their Islamic beliefs, never the muslims. The Europeans have ruled the world for the past couple of centuries, and it is always the rulers who write the history according to their understanding of the events, and they have mis-represented and spread false propaganda that Islam was spread by the sword! Look at the world today and see for yourself how true is their propaganda! The swords are against the muslims today, but even then Islam is by far the fastest growing religion of the world.

Your Comment: Also in the modern context,specially now with modern secular states and the vast spread of knowledge how relevant are some of the stricter parts of this surah, like protection of non muslims and other teachings.

Islam is probably the most tolerant religion in the world. But in today modern and un-godly secular world, where money has been made into their gods, it is indeed unfair to compare a state based on the laws and wisdom of Allah, with a state based on man-made laws! Its like comparing apples to oranges! Even the so-called Islamic states today, rule according to their own interests rather than under the fear of Allah. But in a pure Islamic state, where all the laws of Allah will be respected and enforced, mankind will see the benefits of the wisdom and ‘hikmah’ and superiority and peace and security of a perfect state. Today, it looks almost impossible if the world powers will allow something like that to happen … and their treachery and malice towards Islam is well exposed. How they take a small thing from any state who wants to follow the tenets of Islam and blow it out of proportion, and show the whole world how intolerant and impractical Islam is? They highlight boldly all the apparent weaknesses of Islam according to their barometer, but never ever see the other side of it! These ungodly world powers will do anything and everything at their disposal to discredit Islam. But just see the Glory and Power of Allah, there are actually by far more practicing muslims in the world, than any other religion! People are converting to Islam in droves, all over the world, and even with all their so-called intelligence and wisdom, they do not know how to deal with this phenomena called Islam!

Brother, the occurrences of the past 200 odd years does not make history complete. The muslims ruled more than half the known world for almost 1400 years! When the rulers and the muslims got engrossed in the luxuries and beauties of this world, and forget Allah’s Book, Allah degraded them to become the slaves of the pagans and their beliefs as we see prevalent today. But Glory be Allah, there is a definite resurgence of Islam today, and it is the promise of Allah, that if we muslims hold fast to His Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger (saws), He will make Islam the prevalent religion of the world.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah An-Nisa verse 122: The promise of Allah is true, and who can be truer in his word than Allah?

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 8 Surah Anfal verse 30: They plot and they plan, and Allah plots and plans! And Allah is indeed the Best of Planners!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 33: He is Allah, Who has sent His messenger with guidance and the Right Way so that He may make it prevail over all the other ‘deens’, even though the pagans be much opposed to it.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 58 Surah Mujadalah verse 22: They (the believers) are of the party of Allah. Truly it is the Party of Allah which will achieve True Success.

Brother, this is an exhaustive and a long topic and Insha Allah, when we see you again, we will discuss all the angles of the Surah and its implications in those times and in todays modern times in detail. It is difficult to write all the angles of the implications, but I am sure when we sit and discuss, we can address every issue Insha Allah in detail.

May Allah make your travel safe and rewarding, and may He facilitate your safe return. May Allah keep you and your family in His Mercy and Protection.

May Allah guide you and us all to the Siraat al-Mustaqeem

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan