Misconception of The Sword Verse and why patience is our greatest tool
About a year ago, Shuhada Sadaqat, also known as Sinead O’Connor, passed away. May Allah grant her forgiveness and mercy (Ameen). I remember posting a video of her addressing her acceptance of Islam as a way to honour her. But I couldn’t help but notice the part where the interviewer asks, “You’ve embraced it in its totality?” and her response was, “There’s things I identify with and things I don’t identify with.” My hope for this blog post is that as Muslims, we can stand firm in our belief in the Quran and Islam.
Concealing Allah’s words
"Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture – those are cursed by Allah and cursed by those who curse."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:159)
This verse, from Surat Al-Baqarah, makes it very clear that as Believers, if we hide the Book of Allah, we will be cursed. The tafsir explains that there are angels whose specific job is to curse those who hide the Book of Allah. Why? The reason is that on the Day of Judgement, if people say, “We were thirsty for this knowledge, and no one gave it to us,” Muslims will be held responsible because we didn’t do our due diligence in spreading the message of Allah’s book.
There is a common misconception that spreading the message of Islam is reserved for scholars, but that is absolutely incorrect. In the second chapter of the Quran, Allah criticizes Bani Israel, where the knowledgeable among them—the scholars—hid certain parts of the Torah to suit their needs and ultimately to maintain power and control. When we call ourselves Muslims, we are saying we reject this concealment of Allah’s words. Islam belongs to all of us, and we don’t need to be scholars to spread this message. As the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
"Convey from me, even if it is one verse (ayah)."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 61, Hadith 3461)
Sunnah of Allah
As Nouman Ali Khan explains, the Sunnah of Allah (the Divine Law) is to punish those who reject the message of Allah in the presence of a Prophet.
People of Prophet Nuh (AS): Punished by a great flood.
People of ‘Ad (Prophet Hud, AS): Destroyed by a violent wind.
People of Thamud (Prophet Salih, AS): Struck by a thunderbolt.
People of Prophet Lut (AS): Destroyed by stones from the sky.
Pharaoh and the People of Musa (AS): Drowned in the sea.
When the verses in Surat Al-Baqarah and Surat At-Tawbah were revealed, the people of Quraysh were rejecting the message of Allah in the presence of the Last Prophet, Prophet Muhammad (SAW). According to the Sunnah of Allah, punishment for rejecting the message in the presence of a Prophet was carried out by the hands of the believers, unlike the natural disasters that befell previous nations. Their punishment was unique. And as I will explain next, there is mercy even in that punishment.
Mercy of Allah in Surat Tawbah, Repentence
"And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them go on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
(Surah At-Tawbah, 9:5)
This verse, often called the Sword Verse, is frequently misused by non-Muslims to argue that Islam is a religion of violence. However, it reflects the eternal mercy and forgiveness of Allah. It is significant that the chapter containing this verse is titled Repentance (Tawbah). As explained earlier, every nation that rejected the message of Allah in the presence of a Prophet was punished. For the Quraysh, this punishment came through the hands of the believers. What makes this punishment unique is the opportunity for repentance. When the flood destroyed the people of Prophet Nuh (AS), there was no room for repentance—once the punishment began, it couldn’t stop. In contrast, for the Quraysh, Allah explicitly allowed for repentance. In Surah At-Tawbah 9:5, Allah states that if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, the punishment is lifted, and they are forgiven. This is why the surah is titled Tawbah, highlighting Allah’s mercy.
Why this verse doesn’t apply to Muslims today
As Nouman Ali Khan and other scholars explain, the context of jihad in the Quran is tied to the presence of a Prophet and the uniqueness of his mission in spreading Islam. Since Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the final Prophet and there will be no Prophet after him, the divine command for jihad in the form of punishing rejecters no longer applies. Rather Muslims are instructed to be patient in the face of trials.
"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:153)
Patience in the Quran
Patience is mentioned in the Quran 90 times in reference to the Prophets that Allah sent down to humanity to guide us. Here's a list of patience as the greatest tool of the Believer in respect to our Prophets and Messengers.
1. Prophet Nuh (Noah)
Nuh preached to his people for 950 years (Quran 29:14), enduring their mockery and rejection. His patience is highlighted in:
Surah Hud (11:27-28, 11:36-39) – Nuh remains steadfast despite being called a liar.
Surah Al-Qamar (54:9-10) – Nuh calls upon Allah after his people persist in disbelief.
2. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
Ibrahim's patience is evident in his trials, such as being thrown into fire and being commanded to sacrifice his son.
3. Prophet Musa (Moses)
Musa faced Pharaoh's oppression and the stubbornness of Bani Israel.
4. Prophet Ayyub (Job)
Ayyub suffered extreme illness and loss but remained patient.
Surah Sad (38:41-44) – Allah praises Ayyub for his patience and rewards him.
5. Prophet Yusuf (Joseph)
Yusuf's patience is shown when he is betrayed by his brothers, imprisoned unjustly, and later rises to power.
7. Prophet Isa (Jesus)
Isa endured rejection and attempts on his life but remained patient.
Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:110-111) – His patience in spreading Allah’s message
8. Prophet Zakariya and Yahya (John the Baptist)
Zakariya remained patient for a child, and Yahya was patient in martyrdom.