"It is He who has sent this Scripture down to you [Prophet]. Some of its verses are definite in meaning - these are the cornerstone of the Scripture - and others are ambiguous. The perverse at heart eagerly pursue the ambiguities in their attempt to make trouble and to pin down a specific meaning of their own: only God knows the true meaning. Those firmly grounded in knowledge say, 'We believe in it: it is all from our Lord' - only those with real perception will take heed"
[Oxford's World's Classics, translation of the Qur'an by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, 3:7]
The life of the Prophet (saw) was meant to guide us and help contextualize the Qur'an. When specific lines are brought, or specific verses decontextualized are brought as evidence, despite their ambiguities, it causes problems and difficulties to those who are unaware of the faith and its nature. This is what is often done in the WikiIslam pages.
In this post, I will be going in the exact same order as the WikiIslam page.
However, before I do this, I would like to make some points of my own.
The hadith of Sahih Bukhari Volume 1 Book 2 Number 33 and Volume 4 Book 53 Number 403:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:
The Prophet said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.
1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.
2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.
4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner."
The Quran also continues to directly say, "Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire" [4:125]
If anyone is to have a trait of a hypocrite, this is a bad thing. This is not to mention that the Quran literally tells Muslims at [5:89]:
Allah does not take you to task for the oaths you utter vainly, but He will certainly take you to task for the oaths you have sworn in earnest. The expiation (for breaking such oaths) is either to feed ten needy persons with more or less the same food as you are wont to give to your families, or to clothe them, or to set free from bondage the neck of one man; and he who does not find the means shall fast for three days. This shall be the expiation for your oaths whenever you have sworn (and broken them.) But do keep your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His commandments; maybe you will be grateful.
This basically means that if you earnestly say something by mistake, you are not held accountable for it. But if you DID mean something you said, you ARE held accountable for it. If you do accidentally break a promise, it gives you a way to reconcile it by doing good to outweigh the badness committed. God (swt) continues to advise Muslims to "keep your oaths".
Lastly, even before Muhammad (saw) became a prophet in c. 610 CE, he was well-known within his society to be a very noble, trustworthy man. He was well-liked by everyone before his prophetic advent. He was called an honest man; he was a loved man, and everyone thought the best of him. [1]
In Volume 4 of Tirmidhi, Number 1973, the following narration is given:
Aishah narrated:
"There was no behavior more hated to the Messenger of Allah than lying. A man would lie in narrating something in the presence of the Prophet, and he would not be content until he knew that he had repented." (Hasan)
The commentary upon this saying tells the reader, "Lying is so abhorrent and detestable a trait in a man's character that an honorable man feels outrage and disgust against the person practicing it so intensely that he even begins to dislike and detest his company."
Tirmidhi #1973
It is reported that even his enemies attested to his truthfulness. Abu Jahl, one of the Quraishi leaders who was of the utmost enemies of Islam [2] said, “O Muḥammad, when are you going to stop cursing our gods? If you want us to testify that you have fulfilled your mission, we will testify for you. And if I knew that you are telling the truth, I would have already followed you.”
Muḥammad then left. ‘Amr ibn Hishām [another name for Abu Jahl] looked at al-Mughīrah and said, “I know that he is telling the truth, but there is something holding me back."[3]
On a separate occasion, he can be seen saying, "O Muhammad! I do not say that you are a liar! I only deny what you brought and what you call people to!"[4]
The Quran even says: "We know that you, [O Muhammad], are saddened by what they say. And indeed, they do not call you untruthful, but it is the verses of Allah that the wrongdoers reject." [5]
Even after his prophethood, however, he was still well-known among the pagans for his utmost adherence to honesty. The pagans of Makkah, who were always openly hostile with him, would still leave their valuables with him. His honesty and reliability was tested when the pagans of Makkah abused him and tortured his companions and drove them out of their homes. He ordered his cousin, Ali b. Abi Talib to postpone his migration for three days to return to people their valuables. [6]
[1] The Life of the Prophet Muhammad before Prophethood
[2] ‘Ansabul Ashraf’ by Baladhūri
[3] Bayhaqī
[4] Muhammad the Messenger of Allah by Abdurrahman al-Sheha, translated by Abdurrahmaan Murad
[5] The Holy Quran [6:33]
[6] Ibn Hisham's Biography, Vol. 1, p.493 [Arabic Edition].
If we really want to point fingers here, however, Paul, the one who founded many of the incorrect doctrines (like the trinity) that have come into Christianity today, can be seen explicitly lying to people in Corinthians 19 to get them to convert.
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.[Corinthians 9:19-22, NIV]
A. Quran
The Idea of God as a deceiver:
The problem with these articles is that they don't offer real quotes. This quotes are totally mistranslated, and in all major translations of the Quran, they have almost always been shown to change the wording.
3:54
Link: http://quran.com/3/54
وَمَكَرُوۡا وَمَكَرَاللّٰهُ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ خَيۡرُ الۡمَاكِرِيۡنَ
Transliteration:
Wamakaroo wamakara Allahu wallahukhayru almakireen
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If you actually go to the page they have linked slightly below the quote, it will give you a totally different translation of this.
Here are translations from every major Quran translator:
Sahih International:
"And the disbelievers planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners."
Muhsin Khan:
"And they (disbelievers) plotted [to kill 'Iesa (Jesus) ], and Allah planned too. And Allah is the Best of the planners."
Yusuf Ali:
"And (the unbelievers) plotted and planned, and Allah too planned, and the best of planners is Allah."
Shakir:
"And they planned and Allah (also) planned, and Allah is the best of planners."
Dr. Ghali:
"And they schemed, and Allah schemed, and Allah is The Most Charitable of schemers."
And my question to those at WikiIslam is, why would God (swt) NOT be the best of planners? He plans the future; he planned the past; he is planning the present, and he knows everyone's true beliefs and where their heart truly lies.
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7:99
Link: http://quran.com/7/99
اَفَاَمِنُوۡا مَكۡرَ اللّٰهِ ۚ فَلَا يَاۡمَنُ مَكۡرَ اللّٰهِ اِلَّا الۡقَوۡمُ الۡخٰسِرُوۡنَ
Transliteration:
Afaaminoo makra Allahi falaya/manu makra Allahi illa alqawmu alkhasiroon
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Every major Quran translator still has a different definition of this as well:
Sahih International:
Then did they feel secure from the plan of Allah ? But no one feels secure from the plan of Allah except the losing people.
Muhsin Khan:
Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allah. None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers.
Yusuf Ali:
Did they then feel secure against the plan of Allah?- but no one can feel secure from the Plan of Allah, except those (doomed) to ruin!
Shakir:
What! do they then feel secure from Allah's plan? But none feels secure from Allah's plan except the people who shall perish.
Dr. Ghali:
So, do they feel secure against the scheming of Allah? Then none feels secure against the scheming of Allah except the people (who) are the losers.
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8:30
Link: http://quran.com/8/30
وَاِذۡ يَمۡكُرُ بِكَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا لِيُثۡبِتُوۡكَ اَوۡ يَقۡتُلُوۡكَ اَوۡ يُخۡرِجُوۡكَؕ وَيَمۡكُرُوۡنَ وَيَمۡكُرُ اللّٰهُؕ وَاللّٰهُ خَيۡرُ الۡمٰكِرِيۡنَ
Transliteration:
Wa-ith yamkuru bika allatheenakafaroo liyuthbitooka aw yaqtulooka aw yukhrijooka wayamkuroonawayamkuru Allahu wallahu khayru almakireen
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Every major Quran translator still has a different definition of this as well:
Sahih International:
And [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.
Muhsin Khan:
And (remember) when the disbelievers plotted against you (O Muhammad SAW) to imprison you, or to kill you, or to get you out (from your home, i.e. Makkah); they were plotting and Allah too was planning, and Allah is the Best of the planners.
Yusuf Ali:
Remember how the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home). They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah.
Shakir:
And when those who disbelieved devised plans against you that they might confine you or slay you or drive you away; and they devised plans and Allah too had arranged a plan; and Allah is the best of planners.
Dr. Ghali:
And as the ones who have disbelieved were scheming to confine you, or kill you, or to drive you out, and they were scheming, and Allah was scheming; and Allah is The Most Charitable of schemers.
If you want an in-depth explanation of the context of this verse out of interest, feel free to go here:
http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=8&verse=30&to=31
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10:21
Link: http://quran.com/10/21
وَاِذَاۤ اَذَقۡنَا النَّاسَ رَحۡمَةً مِّنۡۢ بَعۡدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتۡهُمۡ اِذَا لَهُمۡ مَّكۡرٌ فِىۡۤ اٰيَاتِنَا ؕ قُلِ اللّٰهُ اَسۡرَعُ مَكۡرًا ؕ اِنَّ رُسُلَنَا يَكۡتُبُوۡنَ مَا تَمۡكُرُوۡنَ
Transliteration:
Wa-itha athaqna annasarahmatan min baAAdi darraa massat-hum ithalahum makrun fee ayatina quli AllahuasraAAu makran inna rusulana yaktuboona matamkuroon
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Every major Quran translator still has a different definition of this as well:
Sahih International:
And when We give the people a taste of mercy after adversity has touched them, at once they conspire against Our verses. Say, " Allah is swifter in strategy." Indeed, Our messengers record that which you conspire
Muhsin Khan:
And when We let mankind taste of mercy after some adversity has afflicted them, behold! They take to plotting against Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)! Say: "Allah is more Swift in planning!" Certainly, Our Messengers (angels) record all of that which you plot.
Yusuf Ali:
When We make mankind taste of some mercy after adversity hath touched them, behold! they take to plotting against Our Signs! Say: "Swifter to plan is Allah!" Verily, Our messengers record all the plots that ye make!
Shakir:
And when We make people taste of mercy after an affliction touches them, lo! they devise plans against Our communication. Say: Allah is quicker to plan; surely Our messengers write down what you plan.
Dr. Ghali:
And when We cause mankind to taste mercy even after tribulation has touched them, only then do they have a scheming against Our signs; Say, " Allah is swifter at scheming; surely Our Messengers are writing down whatever you are scheming."
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13:42
Link: http://quran.com/13/42
وَقَدۡ مَكَرَ الَّذِيۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِهِمۡ فَلِلّٰهِ الۡمَكۡرُ جَمِيۡعًاؕ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تَكۡسِبُ كُلُّ نَفۡسٍؕ وَسَيَـعۡلَمُ الۡـكُفّٰرُ لِمَنۡ عُقۡبَى الدَّارِ
Transliteration:
Waqad makara allatheena min qablihimfalillahi almakru jameeAAan yaAAlamu ma taksibukullu nafsin wasayaAAlamu alkuffaru liman AAuqba addar
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Every major Quran translator still has a different definition of this as well:
Sahih International:
And those before them had plotted, but to Allah belongs the plan entirely. He knows what every soul earns, and the disbelievers will know for whom is the final home.
Muhsin Khan:
And verily, those before them did devise plots, but all planning is Allah's. He knows what every person earns, and the disbelievers will know who gets the good end (final destination).
Yusuf Ali:
Those before them did (also) devise plots; but in all things the master-planning is Allah's He knoweth the doings of every soul: and soon will the Unbelievers know who gets home in the end.
Shakir:
And those before them did indeed make plans, but all planning is Allah's; He knows what every soul earns, and the unbelievers shall come to know for whom is the (better) issue of the abode.
Dr. Ghali:
And the ones who were even before them already schemed. Yet to Allah is the scheming altogether. He knows whatever every self earns, and the steadfast disbelievers will soon know to whom will be the (Ultimate) Outcome of the Residence!
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The central idea of all of these verses is that you cannot trick God (swt) because he is the best in everything. He is all-knowing and all-seeing. Do you believe that respected Muslim scholars would tell people to lie because the Quran calls God "a deceiver" according to WikiIslam.net? Do you believe that Muslim mothers raise their children to lie to other children? The evidence is all here, and there is far more of it than they have.
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4:157 - 4:158
Link: http://quran.com/4/157-158
وَّقَوۡلِهِمۡ اِنَّا قَتَلۡنَا الۡمَسِيۡحَ عِيۡسَى ابۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ رَسُوۡلَ اللّٰهِ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوۡهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوۡهُ وَلٰـكِنۡ شُبِّهَ لَهُمۡ ؕ وَاِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ اخۡتَلَـفُوۡا فِيۡهِ لَفِىۡ شَكٍّ مِّنۡهُ ؕ مَا لَهُمۡ بِهٖ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ اِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوۡهُ يَقِيۡنًا ۢ
بَلْ رَّفَعَهُ اللّٰهُ اِلَيۡهِ ؕ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ عَزِيۡزًا حَكِيۡمًا
"Christianity through deception" really has no meaning in this case. Since this is not a dispute of translation, the same verses can be seen in simple language in the Sahih International version of the translation.
(157)
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.
(158)
Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.
Basically, this is God (swt) telling the Muslims that Jesus (as) never, in fact, died. Instead, he was raised to God (swt) because no soul comes back from death, and eventually, he will come to help in the fight against the anti-Christ (dajjal). Christianity only happened through the deception of the Romans by Paul, whose ideas clashed with James' (the cousin of Jesus (as)) letters and virtually all quotes from Jesus (as). There was no "Christianity through deception" except from Paul. This statement, bluntly, has no meaning.
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8:43 - 8:44
Link: http://quran.com/8/43-44
اِذۡ يُرِيۡكَهُمُ اللّٰهُ فِىۡ مَنَامِكَ قَلِيۡلًا ؕ وَّلَوۡ اَرٰٮكَهُمۡ كَثِيۡرًا لَّـفَشِلۡـتُمۡ وَلَـتَـنَازَعۡتُمۡ فِى الۡاَمۡرِ وَلٰـكِنَّ اللّٰهَ سَلَّمَؕ اِنَّهٗ عَلِيۡمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوۡرِ
وَ اِذۡ يُرِيۡكُمُوۡهُمۡ اِذِ الۡتَقَيۡتُمۡ فِىۡۤ اَعۡيُنِكُمۡ قَلِيۡلًا وَّيُقَلِّلُكُمۡ فِىۡۤ اَعۡيُنِهِمۡ لِيَـقۡضِىَ اللّٰهُ اَمۡرًا كَانَ مَفۡعُوۡلًا ؕ وَاِلَى اللّٰهِ تُرۡجَعُ الۡاُمُوۡرُ
Transliteration:
43. Ith yureekahumu Allahu fee manamikaqaleelan walaw arakahum katheeran lafashiltum walatanazaAAtumfee al-amri walakinna Allaha sallama innahuAAaleemun bithati assudoor
44. Wa-ith yureekumoohum ithiiltaqaytum fee aAAyunikum qaleelan wayuqallilukum fee aAAyunihimliyaqdiya Allahu amran kana mafAAoolan wa-ilaAllahi turjaAAu al-omoor
Once again, "deceived Muslims" has no meanings because God (swt) would have no reason to deceive Muslims. Since the translation is not being disputed here, the Muhsin Khan translation puts this in the simplest of words.
Muhsin Khan:
(And remember) when Allah showed them to you as few in your (i.e. Muhammad's SAW) dream, if He had shown them to you as many, you would surely have been discouraged, and you would surely have disputed in making a decision. But Allah saved (you). Certainly, He is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts.
Clearly the maker of this article has not done any research because in his analyzation of this verse he made a few critical errors:
a. The passage was directed towards Muhammad (saw), not the "deceived Muslims". This was simply God (swt) giving Muhammad (saw) courage for the future. There was no 'deceiving of Muslims' involved.
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Here is where the article makes another critical blunder, when it says Muslims are allowed to "break oaths". Quran [5:89] says:
Allah does not take you to task for the oaths you utter vainly, but He will certainly take you to task for the oaths you have sworn in earnest. The expiation (for breaking such oaths) is either to feed ten needy persons with more or less the same food as you are wont to give to your families, or to clothe them, or to set free from bondage the neck of one man; and he who does not find the means shall fast for three days. This shall be the expiation for your oaths whenever you have sworn (and broken them.) But do keep your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His commandments; maybe you will be grateful.
This one verse 100% explains all of their attacks upon the verse.
a) Quran 2:225
If one does not think about what they say, or does not realize what they say, thus uttering a phrase vainly, it does not count as an oath that they must abide by. If your child asks, "can I go down 30 blocks to play with my friend?", and you mindlessly say "sure," will you be held accountable for that? Of course not! This is a direct answer to their use of 2:225 because 2:225 is just saying that if you don't think about your promise and make it without thinking about it, then it obviously won't count!
b) Quran 5:89
As they look at 5:89, they vastly mistranslate it. To see all major translations of the verse, please to go: http://quran.com/5/89. Once again, however, they cut and paste what they want, and bold what they want, knowing that many people will only read what is bolded.
The verse specifically says "for expiation", meaning "to make up for it", so that if one does lie by mistake, there are not bad deeds hanging over his head for the rest of his life, and he can make up for the bad thing he did (which was lying) by doing something good. Then, ultimately, God (swt) tells the Muslims, "But do keep your oaths." This in undisputed in all translations, including theirs.
c) Quran 66:2
Basically, God (swt) is telling the Muslims that if they do accidentally lie, he has already given them a way to make up for it. This is given in the verse I just quoted, 5:89.
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Taqiyya is a false concept that literally even their own site denies. This is the third major blunder that the author makes on this page.
In their "arguments not to use page", they are quoted as having said:
"Taqiyya does not mean "lying" in Islam. It only refers to a specific doctrine, a predominantly Shi'ite one, used by them in order to save their own lives or avoid some other form of severe persecution."
http://wikiislam.net/wiki/WikiIslam:Arguments_Not_To_Use
Just for the sake of it, however, I will answer their arguments on the topic:
The word "al-Taqiyya”literally means: "Concealing or disguising one’s beliefs, convictions, ideas, feelings, opinions, and/or strategies at a time of eminent danger, whether now or later in time, to save oneself from physical and/or mental injury.”A one-word translation would be "Dissimulation."
Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti in his book, "al-Durr al-Manthoor Fi al-Tafsir al- Ma’athoor,”narrates Ibn Abbas’, the most renowned and trusted narrator of tradition in the sight of the Sunnis, opinion regarding al-Taqiyya in the Qur’anic verse: "Let not the believers take for friends or helpers unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, (they) shall have no relation left with Allah except by way of precaution ("tat-taqooh"), that ye may guard yourselves ("tooqatan") from them....(3:28)”that Ibn Abbas said:
NOTE THAT IT SAYS “RATHER THAN BELIEVERS”. If there is no other option for friends other then non-believers, it can thus be assumed permissible, but not preferred.
"al-Taqiyya is with the tongue only; he who has been coerced into saying that which angers Allah (SWT), and his heart is comfortable (i.e., his TRUE faith has not been shaken.), then (saying that which he has been coerced to say) will not harm him (at all); (because) al- Taqiyya is with the tongue only, (not the heart)."
This is not a true rejection of the religion – it’s to protect oneself from harm, so it’s okay. Also, one should NOT make a narrow-minded generalization that encompasses all situations, thereby failing to fully absorb the spirit of the definition.
THE QURAN SAYS THAT (IN 3:28 – ABOVE) THIS IS ALLOWED IF IT IS FOR ONE’S PROTECTION.
It also must be noted that this is mostly a Shia doctrine, but is still vastly, VASTLY overplayed, exaggerated, and taken advantage of in the media, which also uses the common civilian unintelligence and unwillingness to research to its advantage.
B. Hadith
Narrated Sahl bin Sad As-Sa'idi: ...Allah's Apostle said, "A man may seem to the people as if he were practising the deeds of the people of Paradise while in fact he is from the people of the Hell) Fire, another may seem to the people as if he were practicing the deeds of the people of Hell (Fire), while in fact he is from the people of Paradise."
Sahih Bukhari 4:52:147
This is literally just a statement of how one can never know for sure whether someone is a good person or a bad person. Someone could seem good, but be bad. Someone could seem bad, but be good.
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When the Prophet intended to perform the 'Umra he sent a person to the people of Mecca asking their permission to enter Mecca. They stipulated that he would not stay for more than three days and would not enter it except with sheathed arms and would not preach (Islam) to any of them. So Ali bin Abi-Talib started writing the treaty between them. He wrote, "This is what Muhammad, Apostle of Allah has agreed to." The (Meccans) said, "If we knew that you (Muhammad) are the Apostle of Allah, then we would not have prevented you and would have followed you. But write, 'This is what Muhammad bin 'Abdullah has agreed to..' " On that Allah's Apostle said, "By Allah, I am Muhammad bin 'Abdullah, and, by Allah, I am Apostle of 'Allah." Allah's Apostle used not to write; so he asked 'Ali to erase the expression of Apostle of Allah. On that 'Ali said, "By Allah I will never erase it." Allah's Apostle said (to 'Ali), "Let me see the paper." When 'Ali showed him the paper, the Prophet erased the expression with his own hand. When Allah's Apostle had entered Mecca and three days had elapsed, the Meccans came to 'Ali and said, "Let your friend (i.e. the Prophet) quit Mecca." Ali informed Allah's Apostle about it and Allah's Apostle said, "Yes," and then he departed.
Sahih Bukhari 4:53:408
It can be seen that in this hadith, the Prophet (saw) did something out of respect for the Meccans. Those on the WikiIslam article, clearly not having researched what they talk about, attempted to say that Muhammad (saw) erased something from here. However, in the creation of this treaty, this hadith shows that the Meccans (who had persecuted Muslims for years) told Muhammad (saw) not to put that he was the Apostle of God on the treaty. Out of respect, he erased it because Ali didn't want to erase it, for he respected Muhammad (saw) too much to do so. I would say that at this point, the people at WikiIslam have lied far more than anyone else.
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Narrated Um Kulthum bint Uqba:
That she heard Allah's Apostle saying, "He who makes peace between the people by inventing good information or saying good things, is not a liar."
Sahih Bukhari 3:49:857
This is truth. If you see people getting murdered each day, and you know that something so simple could help people for the greater good, why would you not help those people? Is that not what a good human being would do? This is what Islam is. Just teaching people how to be human. How to help your fellow human.
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Narrated Zahdam:
We were in the company of Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari and there were friendly relations between us and this tribe of Jarm. Abu Musa was presented with a dish containing chicken. Among the people there was sitting a red-faced man who did not come near the food. Abu Musa said (to him), "Come on (and eat), for I have seen Allah's Apostle eating of it (i.e. chicken)." He said, "I have seen it eating something (dirty) and since then I have disliked it, and have taken an oath that I shall not eat it ' Abu Musa said, "Come on, I will tell you (or narrate to you). Once I went to Allah s Apostle with a group of Al-Ash'ariyin, and met him while he was angry, distributing some camels of Rakat. We asked for mounts but he took an oath that he would not give us any mounts, and added, 'I have nothing to mount you on' In the meantime some camels of booty were brought to Allah's Apostle and he asked twice, 'Where are Al-Ash'ariyin?" So he gave us five white camels with big humps. We stayed for a short while (after we had covered a little distance), and then I said to my companions, "Allah's Apostle has forgotten his oath. By Allah, if we do not remind Allah's Apostle of his oath, we will never be successful." So we returned to the Prophet and said, "O Allah's Apostle! We asked you for mounts, but you took an oath that you would not give us any mounts; we think that you have forgotten your oath.' He said, 'It is Allah Who has given you mounts. By Allah, and Allah willing, if I take an oath and later find something else better than that. then I do what is better and expiate my oath.' "
Sahih Bukhari 7:67:427
Further evidence of the honor of the Prophet (saw) can be seen in this passage. Originally, the Prophet (saw) had nothing to mount these people on, so he said he would not give them anything. Later, as a result of gaining camels from war, he had things he could mount them on. So, he called for them, and he gave them 5 camels. They, believing he had forgotten his oath, went back and told him about his previous oath, to which the Prophet (saw) responded that it was God (swt) that gave them the mounts (likely because they had received it from war). He then says something most honorable. If he takes an oath, but he finds that it is in the best interest of people and is hence better, he can expiate his oath [as given in 5:89 - by doing good actions], and do what is better and will help the people more.
And we can once again see the Prophet (saw)'s generosity in this story:
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Sahih Bukhari 4:52:267
Sahih Bukhari 4:52:268
Sahih Bukhari 4:52:269
On numerous occasions, particularly in these hadith, the Prophet (saw) says that war is deceit. This is obvious because you will not tell someone your war plans. If your opponent in war asks you what your strategies are, will you really just tell him the truth? This is just basic logic, and these people are grabbing at straws.
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Narrated Jabir:
The Prophet said, "Who is ready to kill Ka'b bin Ashraf (i.e. a Jew)." Muhammad bin Maslama replied, "Do you like me to kill him?" The Prophet replied in the affirmative. Muhammad bin Maslama said, "Then allow me to say what I like." The Prophet replied, "I do (i.e. allow you)."
Sahih Bukhari 4:52:271
This is how the WikiIslam authors tried to play it off. "Muslims often claim lying in Islam is restricted to its use in war, but in the following hadiths, Muhammad permits a Muslim to lie in order to kill Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf, a Jewish poet who wrote an anti-Muslim poem which offended him."
Looks bad, right? Except this isn't what happened. In this, we see that the authors of WikiIslam are directly lying, and they do not even provide sources for their claims. This article, however, will provide sources.
In this source, it can be seen that:
a. He plotted with a tribe of Jews at the time to kill Muhammad (saw), which, in and of itself, warrants his killing for attempted murder of the leader of a people [1].
b. He continued to berate the Muslim women by making disgusting erotic and obscene poems about them and cause those mourning those lost in the Battle of Badr to grieve even further [1, 2].
c. He collaborated with Abu Sufyan, the number one enemy against the Muslims at the time, against Muhammad to incite violence between the Quraish and Muhammad (saw) [3].
This is a matter of protecting oneself. Who knows whether this man will kill again, or if him trying to incite violence will actually end up starting another war?
Sources:
1. Rubin, Uri (1990). The Assassination of Ka'b b. al Ashraf, Oriens, Vol. 32. (1990), pp. 65-71.
2. Rubin, Uri (1990). The Assassination of Ka'b b. al Ashraf, Oriens, Vol. 32. (1990), p. 66.
3. Stillman, Norman (1979). The Jews of Arab Lands: A History and Source Book. Jewish Publication Society (Translation of Ibn Hisham's al-Sira al-Nabawiyya (The Life of The Prophet)). pp. 124-127. IBN 0-8276-0116-6.
If you want an article that goes further in-depth than this, please check out:
http://www.answering-christianity.com/sami_zaatri/rebuttal_to_silas_2.htm
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The next points about marriage given by the people of WikiIslam, once again, show little to no knowledge of Islam.
Narrated Abu Haraira: Allah's Apostle said, "A lady slave should not be given in marriage until she is consulted, and a virgin should not be given in marriage until her permission is granted." The people said, "How will she express her permission?" The Prophet said, "By keeping silent (when asked her consent)." Some people said, "If a man, by playing a trick, presents two false witnesses before the judge to testify that he has married a matron with her consent and the judge confirms his marriage, and the husband is sure that he has never married her (before), then such a marriage will be considered as a legal one and he may live with her as husband."
Sahih Bukhari 9:86:100
Sahih Bukhari 9:86:98
Sahih Bukhari 6570
There are two major issues with this. Firstly, being a false witness is among the greatest sins. Secondly, any woman can have herself divorced.
Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle mentioned the greatest sins or he was asked about the greatest sins. He said, "To join partners in worship with Allah; to kill a soul which Allah has forbidden to kill; and to be undutiful or unkind to one's parents." The Prophet added, "Shall I inform you of the biggest of the great sins? That is the forged statement or the false witness." Shu'ba (the sub-narrator) states that most probably the Prophet said, "the false witness."
Sahih Bukhari 8:73:8
The next central problem with this argument is that, yes, the marriage can be considered legitimate, but the wife, in Islam, always has the right to divorce. All that this is saying is that the marriage would be considered legal if the marriage is accidentally confirmed with two lying witnesses. It's still valid if people don't know they lied.
So, even if she was unwillingly tricked into being married, she could simply divorce herself.
"It is not lawful for you (Men) to take back any of your gifts except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah. There is no blame on either of them if she give something for her freedom. These are the limits ordained by Allah so do not transgress them" (Quran 2:229).
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The wife of Thabit bin Qais came to the Prophet and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I do not blame Thabit for defects in his character or his religion, but I, being a Muslim, dislike to behave in un-Islamic manner (if I remain with him)." On that Allah's Apostle said (to her), "Will you give back the garden which your husband has given you (as Mahr)?" She said, "Yes." Then the Prophet said to Thabit, "O Thabit! Accept your garden, and divorce her once."
Sahih al-Bukhari 7:63:197
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What's interesting is that these authors on WikiIslam even present a hadith that shows all of the Islamic views of lying, but they bold what supports their personal opinions so that people don't read the important things in it, and thus, they get the totally wrong message.
Humaid b. 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Auf reported that his mother Umm Kulthum daughter of 'Uqba b. Abu Mu'ait, and she was one amongst the first emigrants who pledged allegiance to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), as saying that she heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A liar is not one who tries to bring reconciliation amongst people and speaks good (in order to avert dispute), or he conveys good. Ibn Shihab said he did not hear that exemption was granted in anything what the people speak as lie but in three cases: in battle, for bringing reconciliation amongst persons and the narration of the words of the husband to his wife, and the narration of the words of a wife to her husband (in a twisted form in order to bring reconciliation between them).
Sahih Muslim 32:6303
To summarize this, the quote is saying that it is okay, not to lie, but to bend the truth for the greater good, and only the greater good, in the following scenarios:
a. For ending war and helping people reconcile with each other
b. A husband to make his wife happy with him (so long as it is not too big is a given)
c. A wife to her husband to make him happy with her (so long as its not too big is a given)
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The WikiIslam article continues to reiterate (repeat) the exact same stances that the prophet Muhammad (saw) said previously in Sahih Bukhari. They quote the following from Sahih Muslim:
Sahih Muslim 15:4044
Sahih Muslim 15:4052
Sahih Muslim 15:4053
Sahih Muslim 15:4054
Sahih Muslim 15:4055
Sahih Muslim 15:4058
Sahih Muslim 15:4062
Basically, if you have made an oath to do something good, and you find that by breaking that oath, you can do something better, then you break that oath by the terms given in the Quran at 5:89 (feeding 10 needy persons, freeing a slave, or if you can't do those, fasting for 3 days). We can also see Muhammad actively doing this in an earlier quoted hadith from Bukhari 7:67:427 in which he gives the people five camels (scroll up to see what has been written on this).
It has been narrated on the authority of Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Who will kill Ka'b b. Ashraf? He has maligned Allah, the Exalted, and His Messenger. Muhammad b. Maslama said: Messenger of Allah, do you wish that I should kill him? He said: Yes. He said: Permit me to talk (to him in the way I deem fit). He said: Talk (as you like). So, Muhammad b. Maslama came to Ka'b and talked to him, referred to the old friendship between them and said: This man (i. e. the Holy Prophet) has made up his mind to collect charity (from us) and this has put us to a great hardship. When be heard this, Ka'b said: By God, you will be put to more trouble by him. Muhammad b. Maslama said: No doubt, now we have become his followers and we do not like to forsake him until we see what turn his affairs will take. I want that you should give me a loan. He said: What will you mortgage? He said: What do you want? He said: Pledge me your women. He said: You are the most handsome of the Arabs; should we pledge our women to you? He said: Pledge me your children. He said: The son of one of us may abuse us saying that he was pledged for two wasqs of dates, but we can pledge you (cur) weapons. He said: All right. Then Muhammad b. Maslama promised that he would come to him with Harith, Abu 'Abs b. Jabr and Abbad b. Bishr. So they came and called upon him at night. He came down to them. Sufyan says that all the narrators except 'Amr have stated that his wife said: I hear a voice which sounds like the voice of murder. He said: It is only Muhammad b. Maslama and his foster-brother, Abu Na'ila. When a gentleman is called at night even it to be pierced with a spear, he should respond to the call. Muhammad said to his companions: As he comes down, I will extend my hands towards his head and when I hold him fast, you should do your job. So when he came down and he was holding his cloak under his arm, they said to him: We sense from you a very fine smell. He said: Yes, I have with me a mistress who is the most scented of the women of Arabia. He said: Allow me to smell (the scent on your head). He said: Yes, you may smell. So he caught it and smelt. Then he said: Allow me to do so (once again). He then held his head fast and said to his companions: Do your job. And they killed him.
Sahih Muslim 19:4436
This is essentially the exact same hadith, but in a different location. As such, I will make the exact same point that this man was writing lewd poems about Muslim women, attempting to instigate more war between the Quraish and the Muslims, and actually tried to kill Muhammad (saw).
In this source, it can be seen that:
a. He plotted with a tribe of Jews at the time to kill Muhammad (saw), which, in and of itself, warrants his killing for attempted murder of the leader of a people [1].
b. He continued to berate the Muslim women by making disgusting erotic and obscene poems about them and cause those mourning those lost in the Battle of Badr to grieve even further [1, 2].
c. He collaborated with Abu Sufyan, the number one enemy against the Muslims at the time, against Muhammad to incite violence between the Quraish and Muhammad (saw) [3].
This is a matter of protecting oneself. Who knows whether this man will kill again, or if him trying to incite violence will actually end up starting another war?
Sources:
1. Rubin, Uri (1990). The Assassination of Ka'b b. al Ashraf, Oriens, Vol. 32. (1990), pp. 65-71.
2. Rubin, Uri (1990). The Assassination of Ka'b b. al Ashraf, Oriens, Vol. 32. (1990), p. 66.
3. Stillman, Norman (1979). The Jews of Arab Lands: A History and Source Book. Jewish Publication Society (Translation of Ibn Hisham's al-Sira al-Nabawiyya (The Life of The Prophet)). pp. 124-127. IBN 0-8276-0116-6.
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It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever covers (the sin of) a Muslim, Allah will cover him (his sin) in this world and in the Hereafter.” (Sahih)
Ibn Majah 3:20:2544
Once again, those who created this article can be seen selectively bolding phrases. This specifically says that if you cover the sins of a Muslim, you will be covered in sin. Thus, this actually shows the exact opposite of the point they were trying to make.
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Narrated Ka'b ibn Malik: When the Prophet (peace be upon him) intended to go on an expedition, he always pretended to be going somewhere else, and he would say: War is deception.
Abu Dawud 14:2631
Here we see they make the exact same point for about the third time. On numerous occasions, p the Prophet (saw) says that war is deceit. This is obvious because you will not tell someone your war plans. If your opponent in war asks you what your strategies are, will you really just tell him the truth? This is just basic logic, and these people are still grabbing at straws.
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They presented an incorrect link to the hadith. Regardless, the real link will be at the end of the quoted hadith.
Narrated Anas ibn Malik:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Three things are the roots of faith: to refrain from (killing) a person who utters, "There is no god but Allah" and not to declare him unbeliever whatever sin he commits, and not to excommunicate him from Islam for his any action; and jihad will be performed continuously since the day Allah sent me as a prophet until the day the last member of my community will fight with the Dajjal (Antichrist). The tyranny of any tyrant and the justice of any just (ruler) will not invalidate it. One must have faith in Divine decree.
Abu Dawud 14:2526
This will only look bad if you don't know the meaning of jihad. Jihad is a constant struggle.
"It is often translated as "holy war" , but the word Jihad actually means struggling or striving"[1]
Would it make sense to be:
a. Continuously fighting and never ending.
b. Continuously struggling in your belief.
In the end, this is honestly just a matter of logic. If anything, this is proof to the real meaning of jihad in many contexts. Jihad can mean to struggle in battle, or it can mean to struggle for God (swt) in daily life. This is an instance where it is shown that it is, in fact, a struggle.
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The people at WikiIslam didn't offer sources or citations for where they got their quotes of Ibn Ishaq. Regardless, I've found them, and I'm able to provide you all with the link. Note that this is a .pdf of a book, however, so you'll need to scroll to the page yourself if you want to find it.
The WikiIslam quote - "I am the best of plotters. I deceived them with My guile so that I delivered you from them."
The real quote - "Then He reminds the apostle of His favour towards him when the people plotted against him 'to kill him, or to wound him, or to drive him out; and they plotted and God plotted, and God is the best of plotters.' I deceived them with My firm guile so that I delivered you from them."
Ibn Ishaq page 323
Basically, this shows that people were trying to kill Muhammad (saw), and God (swt), who has planned the future, planned for them not to be able to kill Muhammad (saw).
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"Ka’b’s body was left prostrate [humbled in submission]. After his fall, all of the Nadir Jews were brought low. Sword in hand we cut him down. By Muhammad’s order we were sent secretly by night. Brother killing brother. We lured him to his death with guile. Traveling by night, bold as lions, we went into his home. We made him taste death with our deadly swords. We sought victory for the religion of the Prophet."
Ibn Ishaq page 368
This once again goes back to the same poet who had been making obscene poems about the Muslim women and those who had died when brutally attacked in the Battle of Badr, who had been trying to instigate more war between the Quraish, and who had made a murder attempt on the Prophet (saw). [1,2,3]
1. Rubin, Uri (1990). The Assassination of Ka'b b. al Ashraf, Oriens, Vol. 32. (1990), pp. 65-71.
2. Rubin, Uri (1990). The Assassination of Ka'b b. al Ashraf, Oriens, Vol. 32. (1990), p. 66.
3. Stillman, Norman (1979). The Jews of Arab Lands: A History and Source Book. Jewish Publication Society (Translation of Ibn Hisham's al-Sira al-Nabawiyya (The Life of The Prophet)). pp. 124-127. IBN 0-8276-0116-6.
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"Asim also told me that a man called Hatib b. Umayya b. Rafi, who had a son called Yazid, was grievously wounded at Uhud and was brought to his people's settlement at the point of death .His kinsmen gathered round and the men and women began to say to him, 'Good news of the garden (of paradise), O son of Hatib.' Now Hatib was an old man who had lived long in the heathen period and his hypocrisy appeared then, for he said, "What good news do you give him? Of a garden of rue? By God, you have robbed this man of his life by your deception (and brought great sorrow on me.' Tab.)."
Ibn Ishaq page 368
So, to break down this story:
1. This man's son was (willingly) a Muslim, and he fought due to his faith in Islam.
2. He was brought to his father in his last hour in life. The father, out of his lack of faith for Islam as well as his grieving of his son, basically called Muhammad (saw) a liar because his son died, despite his son having willingly died for a cause that he thought was just.
Essentially, he called Muhammad (saw) a liar out of grief and lack of faith in Islam. There was nothing behind the claim.
This information can be found in the book The Garden and the Fire: Heaven and Hell in Islamic Culture.
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In Ibn Ishaq 442, it can be seen that, because the people on WikiIslam thought they wouldn't be checked on their sources, they openly misquoted many of them. Here's the real quote:
"By Muhammad's order when he sent secretly by night, Ka'b's brother to go to Ka'b. He beguiled him and brought him down with guile. Mahmud was trustworthy, bold."
Ibn Ishaq page 442
This is the fourth or fifth time the authors of this WikiIslam "article" have attempted to bring up Ka'b, a vile person who made disgusting poems about modest women, people who had honorably died, made an assassination attempt on the Prophet (saw), and attempted to instigate another war between the Quraish and the Muslims. This is/was a matter of preventing violence for the greater good and preventing a war.
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Once again, WikiIslam provides no context of the situation, so the reader is left to infer false things.
"The apostle had gotten up and addresses the men, though I knew nothing about it. After praising God he said: "What do certain men mean by worrying me about my family and saying false things about them? By Allah, I know only good of them, and they say these things of a man of whom I know naught but good, who never enters a house of mine but in my company." The greatest offenders were 'Abdullah b. Ubayy among the Khazraj and Mistah and Hamma d. Jahsh, for the reason that her sister Zaynab d. Jahsh was one of the apostle's wives and only she could rival me in his favour. As for Zaynab, Allah protected her by her religion and she spoke nothing but good. But Hamna spread the report far and wide opposing me (T. rivalling me) for the sake of her sister, and I suffered much from that.
When the apostle made this speech Usayd b. Hudayr said: "If they are of Aus let us rid you of them; and if they are of the Khazraj give us your orders, for they ought to have their heads cut off." Sa'd b. Ubada got up before that he had been thought a pious man - and said, "By Allah, you lie. They shall not be beheaded. You would not have said this had you not known that they were of Khazraj. Had they been your own people you would not have said it." Usayd answered, "Liar yourself! You are a disaffected person arguing on behalf of the disaffected."1 Feeling ran so high that there was almost fightng between these two clans of Aus and Khazraj. The apostle left and came in to see me. He called 'Ali and Usama b. Zayd and asked for their advice. Usama spoke highly of me and said "They are your family and we and you know only good of them, and this is a lie and a falsehood."
Ibn Ishaq page 495-496
In this scenario, it was not even Muhammad (saw) being called a liar. It was two different people with opposing points of view (Usayd & Sa'd) who called each other liars. People were saying bad things of Aisha (ra), and these people were deciding the truth. It appears to also been a debate between two Jewish tribes, Aus and Khazraj.
The bottom line, however, is that it was not directed at Muhammad at all. This leaves us with two possibilities:
a) The people at WikiIslam were lying for the sake of propaganda
b) The people at WikiIslam didn't check their facts.
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Before we get into Tabari, it must be noted that in the introduction to imam at-Tabari's book of Hadith, he even notes that some of the hadiths may not be reliable, as many are narrated from a chain of people.[1]
"They assume that we Sunnis accept every narration in Tareekh at-Tabari as valid, when in fact this is not the case nor has any Sunni scholar ever accepted this–not even Imam at-Tabari himself!"[1]
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It took me around 30 minutes to find a working English copy of Volume 7 of Tabari, but I finally found it. Once again, we can see the authors of the WikiIslam article cutting valuable detail from the situation. This is not to mention that, because they were under the impression that no one would check their sources, they can be found openly cutting items from the actual text in the sole line without context that they cut from the text. In their quest to call all of Muslims liars, they have begun lying themselves.
"(the Jews) were envious and behaved badly towards him (Muhammad), saying, "Muhammad has not met anyone who is good at fighting. Had he met us, he would have had a battle which would be unlike a battle with anyone else." They also infringed the contract in various ways. According to Ibn Humayd - Salamah - Muhammad b. Ishaq: What happened with regard to the Banu Qaynuqa was that the Messenger of God assembled them in the Market of the Banu Qaynuqa and said, "O Jews, beware lest God bring on you the like of the retribution which he brought on Quraysh. Accept Islam, for you know that I am a prophet sent by God. You will find this in your scriptures and with God's covenant to you." They replied, "Muhammad, do you think that we are like your people? Do not be deluded by the fact that you met a people with no knowledge of war and that you made good use of your opportunity. By God, if you fight us you will know that we are real men!" According to Ibn Humayd - Salamah - Muhammad b. Ishaq - 'Asim b. 'Umar b. Qatadah: The Banu Qaynuqa were the first Jews to infringe the agreement between them and the Messenger of God; they took arms between Badr and Uhud."..... "When Gabriel had finished delivering this verse, the Messenger of God said, "I fear the Banu Qaynuqa'." 'Urwah says: It was on the basis of this verse that the Messenger of God advanced upon them. According to Al-Waqidi - Muhammad b. Salih - 'Asim b. Umar b. Qatadah: The Messenger of God besieged them for fifteen days and prevented any of them from getting out. They then surrendered at the discretion of the Messenger of God."
Tabari: Volume 7, page 85-86
Here are the issues in the WikiIslam quote:
a) They cut out part of the quote from Tabari. Muhammad (saw) spoke to them of the punishment that came upon the Quraysh, and they responded by saying that they had no knowledge of war. Not that they had no knowledge.
b) They had lied by breaking a treaty/contract that Muhammad (saw) had made with them. As a result of this breaking of the contract, Muhammad (saw) went to war, and won.
c) No Muslims ever lied.
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Tabari Volume 8 can be seen here, but it does not allow you to see the pages 22-23. However, various different books give us a peek into the exact same moment that WikiIslam discusses.
"At that time came Nu'aym of the tribe of Ashja'. He was not a confirmed polytheist and he began to have sympathy and admiration for the men of the new religion who had shown glorious resistance to an army more than three times their strength. He had already inwardly become a Muslim, when he came to ask to see the Prophet after the proposed alliance with Ghatafan was abandoned. When he was taken to the Prophet, the Prophet asked him why he had come. Nu'aym answered, "I have come to declare my belief in Allah and testify that you have brought us the truth. So bid me to do what you will, O Messenger of Allah for you have only to command me, and I will fulfill your orders. My people and others know nothing about my Islam."
"To the utmost of your power," said the Prophet, "set them at odds with each other." Nu'aym asked permission to lie, and the Prophet said, "Say what you wish to draw them off from us, for war is deception."
The History of Muhammad (PBUH) The Prophet and Messenger by Muhammad AbdulRaoof
In this quote, we can see Muhammad (saw) going back to the basic quotes from Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim in which he says, "war is deceit". This is obvious. In this war (Battle of Uhud), Muhammad had about 700 men, and the ones he opposed had over 3000 men. This was a matter of survival, and the Quran has shown us that if your life is in danger, you are permitted to lie (3:28). This is a matter of survival. War is a game of the mind, and a human does whatever is necessary to survive. If, for example, that means tricking your enemies into putting their forces on the opposite side of where you will attack, so be it. If it is a matter of war, you will not tell your enemy your plans. In this essence, it is permissible to bend the truth to save your own life and the lives of your friends and family.
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"[The Ansar said,] 'Prophet, this group of Ansar have a grudge against you for what you did with the booty and how how divided it among your own people.' After due praise and exultation of Allah, he addressed them, 'Ansar, what is this talk I hear from you? What is the grudge you harbor in your hearts against me? Do you think ill of me? Did I not come to you when you were erring and needy, and then made rich by Allah? "[The Ansar replied,] 'You came to us discredited when your message was rejected by the Quraysh, and we believed you. You were forsaken and deserted and we assisted you. You were a fugitive and we took you in, sheltering you. You were poor and in need, and we comforted you.' [...] [Muhammad said,] 'Do you hold a grudge against me and you are mentally disturbed because of the worldly things by which I conciliate a people with and win them over so that they will embrace Islam and become Muslims?' [...] Allah's Apostle left town to make a lesser pilgrimage and ordered that the rest of the booty be held back, although some of the spoil followed him."
The Dawn of Islamic Literalism: Rise of the Crescent Moon [this has the Tabari quotes]
To summarize this, this a debate of worldly possessions. The Ansar [Aus & Khazraj] wanted a split of what the ummah got from war, but Muhammad (saw) was dividing it among the Muslims. Muhammad (saw) told Aus and Khazraj that their reward was with God, however, regardless, he did leave behind some of the war booty for them.
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Thus, ultimately it can be found that all of the claims made in this article are 100% false. Muhammad (saw) never once lied. The only times in which one can truly lie is in the following tough times:
a) In times of physical war - only to an enemy
b) For the greater good and making two people happy with each other again
c) Bending the truth to help the marriage of two spouses along.
This is all outlined in the quote from Sahih Muslim:
Humaid b. 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Auf reported that his mother Umm Kulthum daughter of 'Uqba b. Abu Mu'ait, and she was one amongst the first emigrants who pledged allegiance to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), as saying that she heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A liar is not one who tries to bring reconciliation amongst people and speaks good (in order to avert dispute), or he conveys good. Ibn Shihab said he did not hear that exemption was granted in anything what the people speak as lie but in three cases: in battle, for bringing reconciliation amongst persons and the narration of the words of the husband to his wife, and the narration of the words of a wife to her husband (in a twisted form in order to bring reconciliation between them).
Sahih Muslim 32:6303
To finish, I leave you with a quote from Abu Sufyan, when he was still a heavy political enemy of Muhammad (saw).
"Heraclius said, 'Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a Prophet)?'
I [Abu Sufyan] replied, 'No. '
Heraclius said, 'Does he break his promises?'
I replied, 'No. We are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it.'
I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that."
He continued later on when recounting the story (after he had finally embraced the truth)...
"Abu Sufyan added, "By Allah! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the Prophet."
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 1, Number 6
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This page contains answers to:
http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Lying_and_Deception
http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Taqiyya
These are the citations for the first part of the article (they can also be found above):
[1] The Life of the Prophet Muhammad before Prophethood
[2] ‘Ansabul Ashraf’ by Baladhūri
[3] Bayhaqī
[4] Muhammad the Messenger of Allah by Abdurrahman al-Sheha, translated by Abdurrahmaan Murad
[5] The Holy Quran [6:33]
[6] Ibn Hisham's Biography, Vol. 1, p.493 [Arabic Edition].