Does the Quran urge persecution of the infidel?

Question

There is much misinformation revolving around the violent persons in the middle east who claim to be Islam and some even claim that they are doing what Allah wants.

Can their actions be justified by what is written in the Quran? Are there parts in the Quran that urge the Muslim to hurt, cheat, lie to, steal from or otherwise persecute the non-Muslim? In the least, are there parts that say it is okay to do those things to an infidel, but it is not required

If not then can their actions be condemned by what is written in the Quran?

Edit: I have been given a few answers in the comments but no answers with any quotes. It would be nice to see the text of the Quran people are referring to.

Answer 1

There are many verses in the Quran that prohibit killing of any human.

Quran:

Say, "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason." An-Nam verse 151

Hadith:

Narrated Abdullah binAmr: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever killed a Mu'ahid (a person who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years (of traveling). Bukhary - sunnah.com

Ignore the history or what people are doing in the middle east for now. If someone claims to be a muslim. They he/she should never ignore these two. Muslim's goal is to enter paradise. Killing a human without any reason contradicts everything a muslims belief in.

Answer 2

No, persecution of non Muslims is not allowed. Prophet (s.a) even said,

أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ اتَّقُوا دَعْوَةَ الْمَظْلُومِ وَإِنْ كَانَ كَافِرًا فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ دُونَهَا حِجَابٌ

“Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, even if he is an unbeliever, for there is no screen between it and Allah.” Saheeh Hadith in Musnad Ahmad 12140 About authenticity of this hadith (Arabic)

This means persecuted person's prayer will be readily heard by God, even if the persecuted person is non believer.

Of course, there are Muslims that claim persecution of non Muslims is ok. They say the verses of tolerance and religious freedom in Quran are no longer valid because of verses revealed during self defensive war of Islam. Actually, there is no truth in it. Muslims are to follow Quran fully and cannot set aside verses, Quran itself gives warning to those who does this.

So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do." Quran 2:85

see also these answers

• Are muslims supposed to kill all non-believers?
  
• Intolerance in muslims

Answer 3

Historically, non-Muslims were under the protection of Muslim nations in early Islam, and the Jizya tax was less than standard taxes neighboring countries.

See:

• Constitution of Medina
• Treatment of non-Muslims during the Rashidun Caliphate.

Many of the "Islamic" nations after the Rashidun Caliphate did persecute non-Muslims, but how can it be Islamic if the Prophet and those who followed him most closely didn't do it?

However, the kind treatment of non-Muslims often extended only to dhimmis. "Dhimmi" was originally considered People of the Book (Wiki entry), i.e. Jews, Christians, other monotheists who worshipped the same God. Other Islamic rulers later extended this term to mean Hindus, Buddhists, and all non-Muslims.

I've read somewhere that non-dhimmi non-Muslims had to be persecuted and not given freedom of religion, hence why Muslim leaders were eager to consider all non-Muslims as dhimmis. But can't find the source for this yet.

Answer 4

Read the first ten Ayah in surah Tauwbeh in this link and I hope you get at least an answer which solve 40% of your question.

Here is the Mohsin Khan translation of these Ayah into English.

9:1 Freedom from (all) obligations (is declared) from Allah and His Messenger (SAW) to those of the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), with whom you made a treaty.

9:2 So travel freely (O Mushrikun - see V.2:105) for four months (as you will) throughout the land, but know that you cannot escape (from the Punishment of) Allah, and Allah will disgrace the disbelievers.

9:3 And a declaration from Allah and His Messenger to mankind on the greatest day (the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah - the 12th month of Islamic calendar) that Allah is free from (all) obligations to the Mushrikun (see V.2:105) and so is His Messenger. So if you (Mushrikun) repent, it is better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot escape (from the Punishment of) Allah. And give tidings (O Muhammad SAW) of a painful torment to those who disbelieve.

9:4 Except those of the Mushrikun with whom you have a treaty, and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor have supported anyone against you. So fulfill their treaty to them to the end of their term. Surely Allah loves Al- Mattaqun (the pious - see V.2:2).

9:5 Then when the Sacred Months (the Ist, 7th, 11th, and 12th months of the Islamic calendar) have passed, then kill the Mushrikun (see V.2:105) wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

9:6 And if anyone of the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) seeks your protection then grant him protection, so that he may hear the Word of Allah (the Quran), and then escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who know not.

9:7 How can there be a covenant with Allah and with His Messenger for the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) except those with whom you made a covenant near Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah)? So long, as they are true to you, stand you true to them. Verily, Allah loves Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2).

9:8 How (can there be such a covenant with them) that when you are overpowered by them, they regard not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant with you? With (good words from) their mouths they please you, but their hearts are averse to you, and most of them are Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).

9:9 They have purchased with the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah a little gain, and they hindered men from His Way; evil indeed is that which they used to do.

9:10 With regard to a believer, they respect not the ties, either of kinship or of covenant! It is they who are the transgressors.

As you can see in the verse 5 have mentioned to kill and I can't see it in two other translators.

Also in the verse 12 and 13 it's told again to kill and this time all of them escaped 'kill' from the translated text.

And all your named actions (kill-cheat-steal) any other kind is allowed to Muslims if it's [ Al-Qisas (the Law of Equality in punishment].