The Majestic Quran

47. Muhammad The Beloved Messenger Muhammad ☐ Muslims were persecuted and oppressed in Makkah for thirteen years, and even after the migration to Madinah they were attacked. So, in the second year of Hijra Muslims were given formal permission to take up arms against oppressors: “Permission to fight is given to those who were attacked and oppressed” ( Chapter al- Hajj : 39). Muslim scholars’ unanimous opinion about war is: it is only permissible in defence. Offensive invasions are not permitted except in special circumstances. Chapter Muhammad was revealed in Madinah, before the Battle of Badr. It reflects the new era of hostility, at the threshold of war, and its other name is “fighting”. The chapter opens by describing the perennial conflict between truth and falsehood and urges believers to be steadfast, since the life of a believer is, in one way or another a constant battle. The chapter makes clear that Islam does not surrender to oppressors, and urges its followers to stand up against oppression and support the victims. War becomes necessary to defend people’s rights and freedoms, and to defeat evil. “When you encounter the disbelievers in battle beat their necks ... God will never let the works of those killed in his way go to waste” (4). This is followed by images of the luxuries of Paradise: “rivers of water with never-changing taste and smell; rivers of milk whose taste never changes; rivers of wine that give pleasure to their drinkers; and rivers of pure honey; for them are all kinds of fruits” (15). The chapter alludes to the signs of the final hour, many Ahadith give lists of these signs; the Prophet r said: “people will distribute