As an avid practitioner of social media, I have come to accept the sharing of overly simplistic, na\u00efve, and hateful memes as commonplace. The digital marketplace is not minus the vitriol of the real world. But as a former student of religious studies, and an atheist interested in working with religious persons, there are times when I have to stand up and say, \u201cenough is enough!\u201d<\/p>\n
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Recently I came across a meme comparing the Qur\u2019an with hate speech. Apparently, according to this meme, the Qur\u2019an says hateful things about \u201cnon-believers\u201d 50 or so times. Including calling us \u201cpigs,\u201d \u201cliars,\u201d and \u201closers,\u201d to name a few of the cacophony of slanders.<\/p>\n
Many of these passages are cited more than once, so I won\u2019t bother going over the same verses twice.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n So I decided to look up these verses and see for myself whether this meme should be taken to show the Qur\u2019an as hostile to non-believers.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 1) We \u201ceat like beasts.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n O.k. so those who disbelieve \u201cenjoy themselves and eat as graving livestock eat.\u201d Maybe I am being too nice, but I don\u2019t see this verse saying, \u201cYou non-believers, you eat like beasts!\u201d The verse appears to be juxtaposing the righteous\u2014who have done righteous deeds\u2014and not just any <\/em>non-believers, but those who focus on carnal and fleshly pleasures. These non-believers are pictured as roaming around, illogically sucking up a hedonic fix. They are as dumb as livestock, because they only focus on \u201cenjoying themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Many of us atheists, say the same things to the orgiastic-frenzied followers of Dionysus. They are set aside again two verses later, so notice what kind<\/em> of non-believer is spoken of: \u201cSo is he who is on clear evidence from his Lord like him to whom the evil of his work has been made attractive and they follow their [own] desires<\/em>?\u201d [emphasis mine].<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 2) We \u201care apes.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Us non-believers call them \u201ccommon ancestors,\u201d but calling someone an ape can be quite the insult. But we have to ask who \u201cthey\u201d are? Are \u201cthey\u201d non-believers in general? Nope. If you read Surah 7 you will realize that it is describing the story of Adam, all the way down to Moses and Noah. Verses 61-64 speak specifically about Noah and the deluge. In verse 163, you will find the people who are called \u201capes\u201d\u2014a group of people who disobeyed the Sabbath, not non-believers in general. Once again, context matters.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In Surah 5, you will see that Muslims were taking in ridicule for their prayers (57-58) amongst the various \u201cPeople of the Book\u201d (\u201c\u2032Ahl al-Kit\u0101b,\u201d usually thought of as early Jewish and Christian sects). Apparently the rabbis and religious scholars of the time were not forbidding certain speech and action (63), and they are being rebuked. Once again, this is not directed to all non-believers, but to religious persons. These verses call out Sabbath-breakers and those who worship false gods (\u201cTaghut\u201d), not your everyday non-believer.\u00a0 It is the same with Surah 2. Notice how verse 65 mentions \u201cthose who transgressed among you concerning the sabbath.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 3) We are \u201cthe vilest of animals in Allah\u2019s sight.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n So who are these people? They have \u201cdisbelieved,\u201d that\u2019s for sure. They appear to be connected to the people described in the next verse \u201cwhom you made a treaty but then they break their pledge every time.\u201d The verse before speaks of them as well: \u201c[Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and of those before them.\u201d The verses following 55 indicate that these are people who are breaking peace treaties with Muslims. If we strictly isolate \u201cdisbelievers,\u201d and universalize Allah\u2019s approach to them, then yes, this verse is problematic. But, once again, if this verse is about a specific kind<\/em> of non-believer, then we must be careful not to generalize to all non-believers.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 4) We are \u201closers.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Far from the worst of insults, \u201closer\u201d can still be quite offensive. So you break a contract, don\u2019t believe in the Qur\u2019an, and desire a different religion, and you lose. It would be strange to think of these verses as something other than basic religious doctrine\u2014namely, there are tenets in Islam as there are in any other religion, tenets that prescribe one way of thinking and acting and condemn other ways of thinking and acting.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It would be foolish to think of this like that high-school friend who would say, \u201cwhat a loser!\u201d This is meant to convey a loss of cosmic proportions, not to name-call. All of the verses following 3:85 are about the eternal states of believers and non-believers, and yes, it looks like non-believers will be punished in the afterlife. And to be honest, you can easily find more grueling depictions of torment in certain forms of Buddhism<\/a>, or Christianity for that matter.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 5) We \u201chave a disease in our hearts.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In chapter 2, who is the Qur\u2019an speaking of? Who are \u201cthey?\u201d Well non-believers, I\u2019m sure it\u2019s not you. That is, unless you are \u201csome who say, \u201cWe believe in Allah and the Last Day,\u201d but they are not believers\u201d (2:9). I doubt you do. Similarly, Surah 5 is more about the Jews and Christians of the time, than about those we think of as \u201cnon-believers.\u201d 5:51 specifically mentions Jews and Christians, and 5:59 shows that this message is directed towards the \u201cPeople of the Book.\u201d This is more of a debate amongst Jews, Christians, and Muslims in 7th<\/sup> century Arabia than a diatribe against modern-day non-believers. That\u2019s my opinion at least.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In Surah 24 the claim of disease is the same as Surah 2 or 5: it is directed at people who say they believe in Allah. Notice a few verses before: \u201cBut the hypocrites say, \u201cWe have believed in Allah and in the Messenger, and we obey\u201d; then a party of them turns away after that. And those are not believers\u201d (24:47).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s just say, for sake of argument, that these verses are referring to people like me. I\u2019m not quite sure how the Qur\u2019an saying I have a disease in my heart is hate-speech. If this were the case, countless other texts would be hate-speech. So would anything calling believers \u201cidiots,\u201d \u201cblind,\u201d or \u201cevil.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 6) We are \u201chard-hearted.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Technically speaking, this verse is not saying non-believers have hard-hearts, it\u2019s saying \u201cwoe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah.\u201d Once again, how is this hate-speech? Would it be hate-speech for a non-believer to say a Muslim is \u201cstuck in his ways\u201d or \u201cunable to see the truth?\u201d I don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 7) We are \u201cimpure of heart.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m not sure how the meme-maker saw this as saying non-believers were \u201cimpure of heart.\u201d It is speaking to those who say they believe with their mouth \u201cbut their hearts believe not.\u201d This does not sound like a non-believer to me. Also notice how this verse says, \u201cAllah does not intend to purify their hearts.\u201d If you are seeing some anti-Semitism in this verse, be careful to note the word \u201camong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 8) We are \u201cdeaf.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Verse 170 talks about those who reject this new message of Muhammad, and stick to what their fathers believed. And then the example of those who disbelieve being like cattle is given. I am not afraid to say that I find this comparison offensive\u2014but I certainly don\u2019t consider it hate-speech. Similarly, I can\u2019t help but think of the people these verses are directed at and what Catholics refer to as its sitz im leben<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 9) We are \u201cblind.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I understand the sentiment expresses here. Sometimes I look at people and think, \u201cthey\u2019ll never change.\u201d And in this sense, I see the Qur\u2019an communicating this struggle. Saying someone is \u201cblind and deaf\u201d to the truth has been going on since time immemorial, and it would be strange of me to consider this something shockingly novel. Us non-believers use that kind of language all the time.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 10) We are \u201cdumb.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n I guess the person who created the meme meant to equate those \u201cbehaving ignorantly\u201d with those who are \u201cdumb.\u201d You will also notice that Muhammad is talking to people who think he may be using his provisions incorrectly, or unduly elevating himself to a God-like status.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 11) We are \u201cniggardly.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n First of all, who the hell uses the word \u201cniggardly\u201d? So non-believers are said to be stingy and miserly, right? In Surah 4 the word \u201cdisbeliever\u201d is used\u2014but once again it\u2019s a certain kind of non-believer. If you read the verses surrounding verse 37, you will quickly notice that these non-believers show off their money and riches.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 70:21 follows a list describing \u201cmankind,\u201d (who are \u201canxious\u201d and \u201cimpatient\u201d) not just non-believers. But verse 22 may imply that these people are those who are not praying\u2014i.e. non-believers. All around, I see this Surah as more of a message on how to responsibly utilize your wealth than decrying the greedy mentality of all non-believers.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 12) \u00a0Our \u201cworks shall be rendered ineffective.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The area around 2:217 spends quite a bit of time discussing issues relating to warfare\u2014such as holidays from war, provisions, contacts and oaths, and the ethical ways to fight. Notice how the people this verse is directed to not only fight against them, but they try and make them turn their backs on their religion. It makes much more sense to view Qur\u2019anic passages in historical context. It alleviates much of the burden of trying to shift the blame from all members of group x<\/em>, to the particular people it has in mind.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Surah 47 provides glimpses of who these non-believers are: they \u201cdisliked what Allah revealed\u201d (9), \u201ctravelled through the land\u201d (10), and were driven out from Makkah (13). Sure, if you wish to interpret this passage as a metaphor for how future non-believers are considered, fine. But don\u2019t act like these verses are not context-dependent.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 13) \u00a0We are \u201cimpure.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n More precisely, depending on translation, we are \u201cwicked.\u201d A few verses earlier you can see who these passages are speaking to, namely, those who were fighting against Muhammad. \u201cAnd [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners\u201d (30). Remember how important it is to find out the identity of \u201cthose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 14) \u00a0We are \u201cscum.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Foam. Yes, foam. This passage could be a metaphor for non-believers, especially since they are juxtaposed with believers in the next verse, but even if so, I fail to see how controversial this is. What do you expect from the Qur\u2019an? That there is no difference between someone who believes in Allah and someone who does not? I could think of a lot worse things than \u201cfoam\u201d to call those I disagree with.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 15) \u00a0We are \u201cinordinate.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Someone please tell me how this verse shows non-believers to be excessive or unrestrained. This should be a lesson to all of us on proof-texting.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 16) \u00a0We are \u201ctransgressors.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I wish I didn\u2019t have so little to say here. Read the verses before verse 8 and you will realize that polytheists are the ones being talked about. These verses are all about how to handle polytheists during wartime. And listen to how sickening verse 6 is: \u201cAnd if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 17) \u00a0We are \u201cunjust.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Unjust, wrongdoer, gotcha. Let\u2019s remember who this is addressed to. These \u201cwrongdoers\u201d were around at that time and are mentioned in the following verse: \u201cthey say, \u201cWhy are not signs sent down to him from his Lord?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 18) \u00a0We \u201cmake mischief.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Notice how everything is in past-tense. It\u2019s not saying \u201call future people who disbelieve\u201d\u2014rather, specifically looking at verse 86, this passage is speaking to the polytheists of the time.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 19) \u00a0We \u201care the worst of men.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Remember, the \u201cPeople of the Book\u201d (\u2032Ahl al-Kit\u0101b) and polytheists are not non-believers in the way we understand them. Also, notice how these groups disbelieved at a certain time. Their disbelief was punctiliar\u2014i.e. at a historical place in time.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 20) \u00a0We \u201care in a state of confusion.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Does anyone else notice how low the bar has been placed for \u201chate speech?\u201d Confused? Really? Given the context of the Surah, I can see this being addressed to all people, even future ones. It goes through an argument from design and a history of what Christians call \u201cnatural revelation.\u201d The mountains, the rain, the starry skies\u2014these all speak of Allah. But once again, being called \u201cconfused\u201d is a far cry from hate speech. I am thoroughly offended.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 21) \u00a0We \u201care the lowest of the low.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This short Surah is primarily about reward and judgment in the afterlife. Verse 6 says, \u201cthose who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted.\u201d So yes, at the time of judgment, non-believers may be \u201cthe lowest of the low.\u201d But this certainly doesn\u2019t indicate that, while living, we are \u201cthe lowest of the low.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 22) \u00a0We \u201cfocus only on outward appearance.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Here it is indicated that Allah destroyed many generations who were wealthy and privileged. These verses in no way indicate that all non-believers \u201cfocus only on outward appearance.\u201d Of course, their were some who did back then, and some who still do, but certainly these passages don\u2019t make the claim of the meme-maker.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 23) \u00a0We are \u201csinful liars.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The sinful liars \u201cWho hears the verses of Allah recited to him, then persists arrogantly as if he had not heard them. So give him tidings of a painful punishment\u201d (45:8). Here is a passage I find very problematic. Bare in mind that this \u201csinful liar\u201d may also be someone who \u201cridicules\u201d the Qur\u2019an (see verse 9), but either way, both understandings bother me. Similarly, to Muslims, Allah is saying these things, not people. Does this verse mean Muslims should go around calling non-believers \u201csinful liars?\u201d And if calling someone a \u201csinful liar\u201d is hate speech, than innumerable people and groups have been doing this since time immemorial. If you\u2019re really looking for condemnation, read Romans.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 24) \u00a0\u201cAllah does not love them.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I don\u2019t understand how Allah not loving non-believers is hate speech. If I said, \u201cI don\u2019t love you\u201d would you consider it hate speech? The Sahih International translation that I have been quoting uses the word \u201clike\u201d instead of \u201clove.\u201d Many other translations use \u201clove.\u201d Either way, not liking or loving someone is nothing like hate speech. Also, I don\u2019t like treacherous and ungrateful people as well.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In conclusion, it\u2019s fair to say that proof-texting the Qur\u2019an via meme is unwise. It ignores the textual and historical context in which these passages consist. Calling these passages \u201chate speech\u201d towards non-believers is entirely unfounded. It\u2019s a rhetorical ploy designed to rally non-believers against Muslims. Let\u2019s also not forget the passages that are left out of the meme.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 109:6, for instance, says, \u201cFor you is your religion, and for me is my religion.\u201d<\/em> This is a far cry from hate-speech.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n *This was a guest post by Kile Jones.\u00a0The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Quranalyze It.<\/strong><\/p>\n Kile Jones<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>is an atheist involved in inter-faith dialogue who works towards building bridges between non-believers and religious persons. He is<\/em>\u00a0also<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>the founder of <\/em>\u201c<\/em>Interview an Atheist at Church Day<\/em>\u201d<\/em> and Claremont Journal of Religion<\/a>. His twitter is @KileBJones<\/em><\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n Enjoyed this piece?<\/p>\n 1. Please SHARE it to promote our voice.<\/strong><\/p>\n 2. SUBSCRIBE to our blog (No spamming \u2013 promise!).<\/strong><\/p>\n 3. LIKE\u00a0our Facebook page for more!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"11111\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/488\/2015\/04\/11111.jpg\")
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