Friday, April 10, 2015

The Importance of Verifying Information

A statistics email has been circulating the web since many years, forwarded mostly by well-meaning Muslims, yet it may be misleading many. The number of verses of the Quran mentioned in it is 6666. 

Many years ago, a Christian reverted to Islam but was unsure about it, as according to the Christian beliefs, 666 is the number of the beast. This is a matter of concern for Christians as they then worry in case the Quran is the work of the devil. When my father (Illias Suttar) shared with him his elder brother (Ibrahim Suttar)'s article on the number of verses in the Quran (he had counted them and had arrived at the total 6236), the man was so relieved - his doubts about the authenticity of the Quran disappeared and his heart was at ease. 
I share this story to emphasise the importance of being very scrupulous when sharing anything about Islam.  

React or Respond

Someone trying to live by his interpretation of Quran 9:112 complained:  This is exactly what I said. In Surah 9 verse 112 says the same thing . The conditions mentioned in that Surah is very difficult. Specially Al- Munkar. Have you asked anybody to stop taking Riba? I have. They don't talk to me. I was very sick about 3 months ago and nobody came to see me or even ask about my health on the phone.  That is how difficult it to deal with people. Do you ask young and old relatives do they say prayers regularjy and read the Quran. They don't talk to me anymore. Ask your close relatives the same questions and see the reaction.
As I said try it and see how they react. 

My Answer: I think the key word is 'react'. If we want people to respond, then we need to follow the guidance in the following verse: [Quran 16:125 Translator: Sahih InternationalInvite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.
We are all 'convinced' of the veracity of our understanding and interpretation of religion, and nobody appreciates a 'holier than thou' attitude, or being scolded, spoken down to, or worse, ad hominem remarks against their persons or their near and dear ones.  We are all human, each one of us has our own strengths and weaknesses, good deeds and faults, and each one is trying from their own level of consciousness and understanding. Nobody wants to deliberately cause temporal or eternal loss to themselves. Besides, every saint has a past, every sinner a future! 

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Intercession

Here are some verses which appear to explain your concern about intercession as mentioned in Ayat-ul-Kursi and the verse preceeding that. It seems that our selves (nafs) will not be able to intercede or invoke intercession. However, there are angels in Heaven whom Allah will allow to intercede on behalf of those whom He wishes to grant intercession. Since we humans cannot invoke angels, hence it is beyond our power to seek intercession. We can only try to keep our duty, and hope that our errors and sins will be pardoned. Please see the following verses (I've pasted the translations, but you will have to check up the Arabic yourself):  

2:48 And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be taken from it, nor will they be aided.
39:44 Say, "To Allah belongs [the right to allow] intercession entirely. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned.” 
43:86 And those they invoke besides Him do not possess [power of] intercession; but only those who testify to the truth [can benefit], and they know. 
53:26 And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allah has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves. 
74:48 So there will not benefit them the intercession of [any] intercessors

You may also want to check out the intercession mentioned in the various places in the Quran by following this link: http://corpus.quran.com/search.jsp?q=intercession 
Please see Surah Taha, verses 109-114 for confirmation of the intercession mentioned in ayat-ul-kursi. 
[Quran 20: 108-114Translator: Yusuf Ali] 
108 On that Day will they follow the Caller (straight): no crookedness (can they show) him: all sounds shall humble themselves in the Presence of (Allah) Most Gracious: nothing shalt thou hear but the tramp of their feet (as they march). 
109 On that Day shall no intercession avail except for those for whom permission has been granted by (Allah) Most Gracious and whose word is acceptable to Him.
110 He knows what (appears to His creatures as) before or after or behind them: but they shall not compass it with their knowledge.
111 (All) faces shall be humbled before (Him) - the Living, the Self-Subsisting, Eternal: hopeless indeed will be the man that carries iniquity (on his back).
112 But he who works deeds of righteousness, and has faith, will have no fear of harm nor of any curtailment (of what is his due). 
113 Thus have We sent this down - an arabic Qur'an - and explained therein in detail some of the warnings, in order that they may fear Allah, or that it may cause their remembrance (of Him)  
114 High above all is Allah, the King, the Truth! Be not in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to thee is completed, but say, "O my Lord! advance me in knowledge."

Salvation, Fire and Love

Love: I love God for all He is: His love for me, His beneficence and mercy, His compassion, the sustenance He provides me, the guidance He continually gives me, the messengers and books He has sent, the education He has given me, the words that I’m able to read, write and ponder upon, the mind that He has given me to think and understand, the wonderful people that continually enrich my life and mind, the love and blessings that continually keep coming my way, and for so much more. And every page of the Quran that I read, I find His love and mercy pouring forth: continuously guiding me and telling me what is right and what is wrong, and lovingly telling me to repent from my wrongs and be blessed, reminding me of the unseen, the reality of Heaven and Hell, and how I still have a chance, and how keen He is that I respond to His mercy and love with a true heart, and how wonderful a state of felicity I would find myself in forever, if only I respond.

Fire: The fire of Hell is a reality. God could have used His All-Encompassing Knowledge to fill heaven and hell with us, without sending us to Earth for this trial, but yet, He gave us a chance. And He has given us guidance and warnings, so that we believe and save ourselves.

Salvation: Salvation is a need, our need, because when disease or some affliction strikes us in this mortal world, we find it difficult to bear, and when it gets unbearable, inspite of human instinct for a long life, we sometimes wish for death. But, in the hereafter, there will be no death! Those in the gardens of heaven will be in a perpetual state of felicity, while those in hell a perpetual state of pain. We do, indeed, need salvation from that.

Pope

Continuation of the discussion on Real vs Pretender and Jesus Christ, J asks: would you call the luxurious life of the Pope of Rome - his successor(?) - a proof for false messages? 


Answer: We believe the basic teachings of the Paul and his successors are against the letter and spirit of the teachings of Jesus. Jesus came to confirm the Law and to explain its wisdom, so that it is upheld with the correct spirit, and not in a half-hearted manner. Jesus taught Monotheism and to keep duty whole-heartedly. Yet, Paul did away with the Law and started Jesus-worship. Have you visited the Vatican? Its full of symbols of polytheism, particularly of ancient Egypt, including the Obelisk right in the middle of St. Peter's Square. Consider the following two verses from the Bible: 

http://biblehub.com/exodus/20-4.htm New International Version
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 
http://biblehub.com/matthew/5-17.htm New International Version 
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.     
Will Jesus allow St. Paul to enter the Kingdom of Heaven: http://can-you-answer.com/CanChristiansAnswer/canChrisAns.htm   

Different Sects - Same Quran

Question: do Shiates 'read' the same Quran as Sunnis? 

Answer: Yes, they do read the same arabic Quran, though they differ in some beliefs, which leads to them being different sects. It is important to bear in mind that all religions have sects in them. In fact, two of the world's great religions: Judaism and Christianity both read the same book: What the Christians refer to as the Old Testament are the books which were written before Jesus. 

Jesus Christ

As a continuation of the Real vs Pretender, J wrote: I would have liked to 'see' that ALL false messengers DO require worldly benefits - some may not. Jesus Christ did not - 


Answer: We believe that Jesus was a true Messenger of God.  

http://quran.com/2/87 Sahih International
And We did certainly give Moses the Torah and followed up after him with messengers. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Pure Spirit. But is it [not] that every time a messenger came to you, [O Children of Israel], with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party [of messengers] you denied and another party you killed. 

http://quran.com/2/136 Sahih International
Say, [O believers], "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him." 

http://quran.com/2/253 Sahih International
Those messengers - some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the Son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him with the Pure Spirit. If Allah had willed, those [generations] succeeding them would not have fought each other after the clear proofs had come to them. But they differed, and some of them believed and some of them disbelieved. And if Allah had willed, they would not have fought each other, but Allah does what He intends. 

http://quran.com/3/45 Sahih International
[And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah ]. 

http://quran.com/3/59 Sahih International
Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was.

http://quran.com/4/157 Sahih International
And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah ." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. 
Concordance of verses about Jesus (Isa) in the Quran: http://corpus.quran.com/search.jsp?q=Isa  

No More Prophets?

Question: since evolution, human development, ways of mental capacity and lifestyles are unlimited in time to come, does it make any reasonable sense to "close" the line of potential profets 1500 years ago, only 5 centuries after the previous one, when humanity MAY live for additional millennia(??) before the final judgement?) 

Answer: 
1) Prophet & Messenger Muhammad was foretold by the previous scriptures, and his arrival was expected by those who believed in the scriptures:  
http://quran.com/5/19 Sahih International
O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger to make clear to you [the religion] after a period [of suspension] of messengers, lest you say, "There came not to us any bringer of good tidings or a warner." But there has come to you a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And Allah is over all things competent. 

2) It is an assumption that humanity has a long time to go before the final judgement. Quran Chapter 21 reads: 
1 [The time of] their account has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.
2 No mention comes to them anew from their Lord except that they listen to it while they are at play
3 With their hearts distracted. And those who do wrong conceal their private conversation, [saying], "Is this [Prophet] except a human being like you? So would you approach magic while you are aware [of it]?"
4 The Prophet said, "My Lord knows whatever is said throughout the heaven and earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing."
5 But they say, "[The revelation is but] a mixture of false dreams; rather, he has invented it; rather, he is a poet. So let him bring us a sign just as the previous [messengers] were sent [with miracles]."
6 Not a [single] city which We destroyed believed before them, so will they believe?
7 And We sent not before you, [O Muhammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message if you do not know.
8 And We did not make the prophets forms not eating food, nor were they immortal [on earth].
9 Then We fulfilled for them the promise, and We saved them and whom We willed and destroyed the transgressors.
10 We have certainly sent down to you a Book in which is your mention. Then will you not reason?
11 And how many a city which was unjust have We shattered and produced after it another people.
12 And when its inhabitants perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it.
13 [Some angels said], "Do not flee but return to where you were given luxury and to your homes - perhaps you will be questioned."
14 They said, "O woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."
15 And that declaration of theirs did not cease until We made them [as] a harvest [mowed down], extinguished [like a fire].
16 And We did not create the heaven and earth and that between them in play.  
17 Had We intended to take a diversion, We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were to do so.
18 Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it, and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe.
19 To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire.
20 They exalt [Him] night and day [and] do not slacken.
21 Or have men taken for themselves gods from the earth who resurrect [the dead]?
22 Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.
23 He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.
24 Or have they taken gods besides Him? Say, [O Muhammad], "Produce your proof. This [Qur'an] is the message for those with me and the message of those before me." But most of them do not know the truth, so they are turning away.
25 And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me."
26 And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants.
27 They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command.
28 He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.
29 And whoever of them should say, "Indeed, I am a god besides Him"- that one We would recompense with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.
30 Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?
31 And We placed within the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with them, and We made therein [mountain] passes [as] roads that they might be guided.
32 And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away.
33 And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming.
34 And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die - would they be eternal?
35 Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.  
36 And when those who disbelieve see you, [O Muhammad], they take you not except in ridicule, [saying], "Is this the one who insults your gods?" And they are, at the mention of the Most Merciful, disbelievers.
37 Man was created of haste. I will show you My signs, so do not impatiently urge Me.
38 And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"  
39 If those who disbelieved but knew the time when they will not avert the Fire from their faces or from their backs and they will not be aided...
40 Rather, it will come to them unexpectedly and bewilder them, and they will not be able to repel it, nor will they be reprieved.
41 And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.
42 Say, "Who can protect you at night or by day from the Most Merciful?" But they are, from the remembrance of their Lord, turning away.
43 Or do they have gods to defend them other than Us? They are unable [even] to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.  
44 But, [on the contrary], We have provided good things for these [disbelievers] and their fathers until life was prolonged for them. Then do they not see that We set upon the land, reducing it from its borders? So it is they who will overcome?
45 Say, "I only warn you by revelation." But the deaf do not hear the call when they are warned.
46 And if [as much as] a whiff of the punishment of your Lord should touch them, they would surely say, "O woe to us! Indeed, we have been wrongdoers."  
47 And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.
.
.
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109 But if they turn away, then say, "I have announced to [all of] you equally. And I know not whether near or far is that which you are promised.
110 Indeed, He knows what is declared of speech, and He knows what you conceal.
111 And I know not; perhaps it is a trial for you and enjoyment for a time."
112 [The Prophet] has said, "My Lord, judge [between us] in truth. And our Lord is the Most Merciful, the one whose help is sought against that which you describe."

I have not included verses 48-108 above. To read the entire chapter, please go to: http://quran.com/21

God: Him or Her?

Question: Is there a reason to call "HIM" and not "HER"? 
...(During the times of the caveman a female Creator (Mistress of the World?) was adored, because of the circumstances of producing new life. The 'male' role was lopsided and diminished in importance. "SHE" was the "BIG ONE". That changed as the mainly male exercised animal husbandry emlightened the bisexual proliferation of living creatures (and was applied to men, too).

Answer: 
1) We believe that God is above gender, but since God is referred to in the Quran with the masculine pronouns, so we follow the Quran's preference of pronouns for God.  

2) Though http://quran.com/4/1  states that we should revere the wombs, but it clarifies in other places that worship is only for the ONLY God and that the worship of female deities Satan-worship http://quran.com/4/117 . 

http://quran.com/4/1 Sahih International
O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah , through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer. 
http://quran.com/4/116-120 Sahih International
Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray. They call upon instead of Him none but female [deities], and they [actually] call upon none but a rebellious Satan. Whom Allah has cursed. For he had said, "I will surely take from among Your servants a specific portion. And I will mislead them, and I will arouse in them [sinful] desires, and I will command them so they will slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them so they will change the creation of Allah ." And whoever takes Satan as an ally instead of Allah has certainly sustained a clear loss. Satan promises them and arouses desire in them. But Satan does not promise them except delusion.  

Real Interpreter or Pretender

Question: How can you tell a 'real' interpreter of God's words from a pretender? -- and I do not only refer to the 'publication' of the entire Script, there may be VAST differences between practical interpretations of the rightfully published details, whatever is included in the authentic total. (Look at e.g. the political variations as 'religious' prescriptions, law systems, state-formats, stuff to learn about the world etc.)  

Answer: A real messenger/prophet/interpreter does not ask for any personal benefit or remuneration. The pretenders seek worldly benefits. Following are quotes from the preachings of some messengers: 
Quoting Messenger Noah: http://quran.com/26/109 Sahih International
And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.
Quoting Messenger Hud: http://quran.com/26/127 Sahih International
And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.  
Quoting Messenger Saleh: http://quran.com/26/145 Sahih International
And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds. 
Quoting Messenger Lot: http://quran.com/26/164 Sahih International
And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds. 
Quoting Messenger Shu'ayb: http://quran.com/26/180 Sahih International
And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds. 

Scriptures

J wrote: 'Scriptures (all of them, from the pre-Hebrew ones to the most recent ones) are HUMANLY written (published?) and some (e.g. the Quran) only in ONE human language, even prohibiting a translation).'

The Quran, revealed in Arabic, has been translated in several languages, and even in the same language by several translators. Multiple translations are available online on many websites, such as: 

According to the Quran, it is the Muslim belief that a series of scriptures were revealed by divine decree for the guidance of mankind, the last of which is the Quran, as Muhammad is the seal (last) of the series of prophets [http://quran.com/33/40 ]. Though humans were able to make changes in previous scriptures (possibly both in the revealed language as well as translations), the arabic Quran is divinely guarded from changes [http://quran.com/15/9 ]. Translations of certain verses of the Quran differ, and thus, the importance of trying to look up the original arabic words and their range of meanings, and its usage across the Quran.  

Most of the scriptures we know have been orally transmitted and then recorded (published) by humans, except possibly the Ten Commandments which were given to Moses on stone tablets [http://quran.com/7/145 ]. But that is besides the point. The scriptures were revealed to the human prophets and messengers, in the language of the people they were addressing [http://quran.com/14/4 ], and thus the copy of the scripture in its revealed language is most likely the original source. There may be errors in translation, therefore, I suggest the study of the original sources, i.e. in the original language of revelation, if possible.  

It is also important to understand the difference between scripture [divine revelations] and secondary sources, which are efforts to compile teachings of the prophets that are not in the scripture, for example works like Bhagwad Gita, Talmud, Hadith. Of course, there are many errors in these recordings, which can be attributed to human memory or understanding, or both, or may be even deliberate efforts to corrupt the teachings and make additions to the religion. That the message of Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and many other messages, have all suffered greatly because followers have attached primary importance to such secondary sources is quite evident from history. Vedas, Torah, Bible and Quran emphasise upon Monotheism, while the beliefs and worship of the many sects of Hindus, Jews, Christians and Muslims vary greatly. 

Personally, I see a lot of confusion on this list as well as elsewhere between the primary teachings of a scripture and the practice of those who profess to follow those religions. It is important to not to confuse the two if one is seeking the truth for oneself. 

For your convenience, following are the verses I referenced above. You can also look up multiple translations onhttp://islamawakened.com/quran/  

Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allah is ever Aware of all things.

 http://quran.com/15/9 Pickthall
Lo! We, even We, reveal the Reminder, and lo! We verily are its Guardian.

And We ordained for him in the tablets admonition of every kind and clear explanation of all things; so take hold of them with firmness and enjoin your people to take hold of what is best thereof; I will show you the abode of the transgressors.

 http://quran.com/14/4 Sahih International
And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to state clearly for them, and Allah sends astray [thereby] whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

Smart Solution

On finding someone smarter for solving the world's problems:

How is it possible to find someone absolutely 'smarter' when each one knows/understands something more about something than others, and is less informed about something than someone else? The scriptures seem to be the only source of 'smarter than human' wisdom. A critical yet humble study of ancient wisdom, doubting human (mis)interpretations and (mis)applications, but having faith in the timelessness of the message(s), searching in the original sources, and sifting wisdom from it all, may just be what we need. Its always been with us, perhaps we are just too arrogant/ignorant to use it, and thus wander aimlessly, searching in vain?!    
Whenever we see a building or any other object of human technology, we assume that someone conceived, designed and then built it, and that it needs to be maintained, or it ends up as a ruin. We cannot imagine that it just 'appeared on its own'. We even wonder about the purpose or utility of it. Yet, the idea of a God [Conceiver, Designer, Creator and Sustainer of the Heavens and Earth] keeps getting rejected, as well as the Scriptures [User Manual]. Why? Simply because we ask where God came from? Isn't that ignorance leading to arrogance? A vicious circle of arrogance -> rejection -> innovation -> experimentation -> failure -> suffering -> humility -> resilience -> rebuilding -> arrogance -> ...   
We are all in the same boat [Earth], sailing the same sea [Cosmos] and the welfare of the boat and its passengers [everyone and everything on planet Earth] is our collective responsibility and in our interest. We have to help each other understand that, if the journey is to be pleasant and worthwhile! 

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Why God chooses to remain hidden?

Related posts:


In a discussion about using the term God and agreeing on a common definition, in search of the origin, the Theory of Everything, I suggested: 

Why not define God as the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe and Everything Else that is or may exist? The raison d'être of everything? The unanswerable and unexplainable first reason? Who chooses to remain hidden but Whose presence cannot be denied? The question that nobody can begin to answer?! 

B replied: OK. We might be able to explain why "he chooses to remain hidden", once we agree on some definition and axioms.

My Response: 
My favourite text does contain some clues such as:  
1. that God is the 'noor' [guiding light?, spiritual light?, * ??? http://quran.com/24/35 ] of the Heavens and Earth; 
2. vision perceives Him not but He perceives all [http://quran.com/6/103 ]; 
3. that when Moses asked to see God, he was told that if the mountain can bear to see God, then perhaps Moses might be able to see God [http://quran.com/7/143 ];  
4. it is not for any 'bashr' [mortal?] to communicate with God except by revelation or from behind a veil or through a messenger [http://quran.com/42/51]  
5. and that God's command descends through the entire creation, and He has encompassed everything in His knowledge [http://quran.com/65/12 ]

And why nobody can answer? Simply because God is not like anything else [http://quran.com/112/ ] 

* And why we should not speculate:  
[Al-Qur’an 16:74, translator: Sahih International] So do not assert similarities to Allah . Indeed, Allah knows and you do not know.



Last updated on: April 13, 2015

Literal Interpretation of Quran 9:5 [kill them wherever you find them]

The verse which states [kill them wherever you find them Quran 9:5] is abused by both terrorists as well as Islam-bashers. Yet, if one were to study the context, as well as the directives for taking human life, one would learn that this particular directive was issued to the Messenger and his companions, after announcing the annulment of a particular treaty [Quran 9:1], and giving a four month notice period to them. 

Moreover, studying the stories of the Messengers [messengers are a special class of prophets with whom divine decision comes], one learns from the Quran that each nation to whom a messenger was sent were clearly warned of an imminent punishment if they did not believe and mend their ways, and the punishment did indeed befell all nations thus warned, except the nation of Messenger Jonah as they did believe and mend their ways. 

Further, from other verses regarding taking human life, we come to learn that no one can take human life except as capital punishment executed by the state in two cases: [1] after a person has been convicted of murder, through proper recourse to law and justice; [2] to curtail those who are creating 'fitnah' [corruption/terrorism in the land, disrupting law and order and causing harm]: this could be through courts of justice or through a declared war by the head of the state. 

You might argue that literal translation is the cause. However, in various threads, some members have discussed at length war and abuse, past and present, by various nations and by people belonging to various religions. Those who want an excuse to harm others will always find a way to abuse anything which suits their purpose.