Quran 9:5 – Itmam-e-Hujjah And Children
Thank you for sharing the link Faisal Haroon Sb. Let me elaborate what I was asking specifically. From the link that you shared of Ustadh-e-Muhtaram’s explanation (I only watched the discussion around 32:00), what I understand is that it was related to the divine wisdom of collateral damage (children, trees etc) when azab was inflicted on the nations of Nuh, Salih, Lut etc. I am convinced about the qanun e risalat as has been explained by Ustadh Ghamidi and how it relates to the mission of the last Prophet. What I was thinking is that, the way the divine judgment took place for the nation of Prophet Muhammad is not exactly the way it took place for the nation of Nuh. Even Ghamidi Sb agrees that the divine judgment that took place for the Arabs through Rasulullah had subtle nuances. Moreover it took place in a gradual manner, unlike the nation of Nuh, which happened instantly. Now it is rationally understandable, and Ustadh has always highlighted this fact in other discussions that a general usool would have variations in its applications. Now coming back to Quran 9:5, my question was specifically the divine intent of the directive. Can it be said that although a general punishment was declared for all the mushriks of Arabia, it is rational to assume the children were not included, given that there was an extra clause following 9:5, “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 should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (5) And 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. (6)” (surah At-Taubah) If even the mushriks are given respite for seeking asylum so that they can hear the word of Allah, isn’t it all the more reasonable to assume that the children of the mushriks should fall under this clause? Allah has every right to take lives of any human being the way he wants, we may not understand the wisdom. But did he actually intend a literal mass-execution in 9:5 given the clause proceeding afterwards. Is it a necessary element of the manifestation of the law of itmam al-hujjah that everyone has to be annihilated? We know that the itmam al-hujjah of Isa on bani-Israel materialized not in the form of absolute annihilation, but rather through political subjugation, that too spanned through history and not localized at a particular time and space.
Narrated As-Sab bin Jaththama: t he Prophet passed by me at a place called Al-Abwa or Waddan, and was asked whether it was permissible to attack the pagan warriors at night with the probability of exposing their women and children to danger. The Prophet replied, “They (i.e. women and children) are from them (i.e. pagans).” I also heard the Prophet saying, “The institution of Hima is invalid except for Allah and His Apostle.” ( Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 256 ) It is reported on the authority of Sa’b b. Jaththama that the Prophet of Allah (may peace be upon him), when asked about the women and children of the polytheists being killed during the night raid, said: They are from them. ( Sahih Muslim, Book 019, Number 4321) It is narrated by Sa’b b. Jaththama that he said (to the Holy Prophet): Messenger of Allah, we kill the children of the polytheists during the night raids. He said: They are from them. ( Sahih Muslim, Book 019, Number 4322 ) Sa’b b. Jaththama has narrated that the Prophet (may peace be upon him) asked: What about the children of polytheists killed by the cavalry during the night raid? He said: They are from them. ( Sahih Muslim, Book 019, Number 4323 ).