© Laleh Bakhtiar, Ph.D.
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Read each Quranic verse (in bold font) and then the statement based on an interpretation (tafsir) (in medium font). Click on your answer. Have a copy of the Quran in any language you understand with you—if you wish—as you go through the survey.
THIS SURVEY IS ANONYMOUS.

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* 1. Age

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* 2. Gender

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* 3. I live in a Muslim minority country

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* 4a. Quranic Makkah Verses 37:35, 7:158: I bear witness that there is no god but God (37:35) and Muhammad is a Messenger of God (7:158) 
4a. The mere proclamation of the shahadah is insufficient for someone to become a Muslim.

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* 5a. Quranic Madinah Verse 5:55: Your protector (wali) is only God and His Messenger and those who have believed—those who perform the formal prayer and give the purifying alms. They are the ones who bow down.
5a. Based on verse 5:55 which teaches the Love (al-wala) doctrine (al-wala wal-bara), it is un-Islamic to associate with disbelievers.

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* 5b. Quranic Madinah Verse 5:55: Your protector (wali) is only God and His Messenger and those who have believed—those who perform the formal prayer and give the purifying alms. They are the ones who bow down.
5b. Believers should only Love (alliance, wala) their fellow Muslims, whether they agree with them or not.

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* 5c. Quranic Madinah Verse 5:55: Your protector (wali) is only God and His Messenger and those who have believed—those who perform the formal prayer and give the purifying alms. They are the ones who bow down.
5c. It is obligatory for all who profess to be Muslims to accept and practice the docrine of Love (wala).

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* 5d. Quranic Madinah Verse 5:55: Your protector (wali) is only God and His Messenger and those who have believed—those who perform the formal prayer and give the purifying alms. They are the ones who bow down.
5d. A sign of practicing wala is not to participate in non-Islamic religious celebrations such as Christmas or Hanukah or any secular celebrations like New Year.

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* 5e. Quranic Madinah Verse 5:55: Your protector (wali) is only God and His Messenger and those who have believed—those who perform the formal prayer and give the purifying alms. They are the ones who bow down.
5e. Another sign of practicing wala is not to greet disbelievers first when meeting them.

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* 5f. Quranic Madinah Verse 5:55: Your protector (wali) is only God and His Messenger and those who have believed—those who perform the formal prayer and give the purifying alms. They are the ones who bow down.
5f. It is un-Islamic to imitate the manner of clothing or names of disbelievers.

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* 5g. Quranic Madinah Verse 5:55: Your protector (wali) is only God and His Messenger and those who have believed—those who perform the formal prayer and give the purifying alms. They are the ones who bow down.
5g. It is forbidden to engage in dialogue with Jews and Christians.

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* 6a. Quranic Madinah Verse 60:4: Surely, there had been a fairer, good example for you in Abraham and those with him when they said to their folk: Truly, we disavow you and whatever you worship other than God. We disbelieved in you. Shown itself between us and between you was enmity and hatred eternally until you believe in One God.
6a. Verse 60:4 teaches Hatred (bara) of an idolater (mushrik) and/or a disbeliever or infidel (kafir) based on the actions of Prophet Abraham towards his father and his community.

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* 6b. Quranic Madinah Verse 60:4: Surely, there had been a fairer, good example for you in Abraham and those with him when they said to their folk: Truly, we disavow you and whatever you worship other than God. We disbelieved in you. Shown itself between us and between you was enmity and hatred eternally until you believe in One God.
6b. Based on Prophet Abraham’s example as stated in 60:4 above, all Muslims must practice Hatred (bara) for the disbelievers (kuffar), never supporting them, but rather, dishonoring and humiliating them.

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* 6c. Quranic Madinah Verse 60:4: Surely, there had been a fairer, good example for you in Abraham and those with him when they said to their folk: Truly, we disavow you and whatever you worship other than God. We disbelieved in you. Shown itself between us and between you was enmity and hatred eternally until you believe in One God.
6c. The result of Prophet Abraham’s actions of destroying the idols as indicated in verse 60:4 above combined with verse 5:55 form the doctrine (aqida) known as al-wala wal-bara (Love-Hatred, alliance-disassociation).

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* 7a. Quranic Madinah Verses 4:93: Whoever willfully kills one who believes, then, his recompense is hell, one who will dwell in it forever. God was angry with him and cursed him and He prepared for him a tremendous punishment.
7a. A believer is only one who accepts the Love (alliance, wala)-Hatred (dissociation, bara) doctrine (al-wala wal bara). Everyone else is a disbeliever.

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* 7b. Quranic Madinah Verses 4:93: Whoever willfully kills one who believes, then, his recompense is hell, one who will dwell in it forever. God was angry with him and cursed him and He prepared for him a tremendous punishment.
7b. The willful killing of all disbelievers—that is, whoever does not believe in and practice the Love-Hated doctrine (al-wala wal bara)—be they men, women or children—does not fall under this verse above (4:93).

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* 7c. Quranic Madinah Verses 4:93: Whoever willfully kills one who believes, then, his recompense is hell, one who will dwell in it forever. God was angry with him and cursed him and He prepared for him a tremendous punishment.
7c. All disbelievers should be hated, killed or eliminated from the face of the earth.

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* 8a. Quranic Madinah Verse 5:51: O those who believed! Take not to yourselves the Jews and the Christians as allies, friends, protectors (awliya). Some of them are allies, friends, protectors of one another. And whoever among you turns to them, then he is of them. Truly God guides not the folk, the ones who are unjust.
8a. The only way to fight religious innovation (bidah) and idolatry (shirk) is by hating Jews and Christians.

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* 9a. Quranic Madinah Verse 2:255: ... Who will intercede with Him but with His permission?....
9a. Practicing intercession is an example of idolatry (shirk).

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* 9b. Quranic Madinah Verse 2:255: ... Who will intercede with Him but with His permission?....
9b. An idolater (mushrik) seeks intercession from those whom he or she worships at graves, tombs of so-called saints and through un-Islamic practices.

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* 10a. Quranic Madinah Verses 60:8: God does not forbid you from dealing kindly and justly with those who did not fight you because of your faith and did not drive you out of your homes. God loves those who are just.
10a. This verse 60:8 above was replaced by verse 9:5. Verse 9:5 says: Kill the ones who are idolaters wherever you found them. Take them (the idolaters), besiege them and sit in every place of ambush.

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* 11a. Quranic Madinah Verses 5:45, 5:47: Truly We have sent forth the Torah wherein is guidance and light. The Prophets gave judgment with it for those who had submitted and for those who had become Jews. And the rabbis and learned Jewish scholars committed to their memory the Book of God and they had been witnesses to it. So dread not humanity, but dread Me. Exchange not My signs for a little price. Whoever gives not judgment by what God has sent forth, those, they are the ones who are ungrateful. (5:45) And We sent following in their footsteps, Jesus son of Mary, one who establishes as true what was before him in the Torah. And We gave him the Gospel in which is guidance and light, and that which establishes as true what was before him in the Torah and a guidance and admonishment for the ones who are Godfearing. Let the People of the Gospel give judgment by what God caused to descend in it. And whoever gives not judgment by what God caused to descend, then, those, they are the ones who disobey. (5:47)
11a. These verses say that the Shariah of Islam replaced all the previous Shariah so that the Jews and Christians must follow the Islamic Shariah.

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* 12a. Quranic Madinah Verses 4:66-4:68: And if We prescribed for them that you: Kill yourselves, or: Go forth from your abodes, they would not have accomplished it, but a few of them. And had they accomplished what they are admonished by it, it would have been better for them and a stauncher confirming. And, then, We would have given them from that which proceeds from Our Presence a sublime compensation. And We would have guided them on a straight path.
12a. Muslims must migrate to the Muslim majority countries where they must give their loyalty only to Muslim rulers who rule according to the Islamic Shariah.

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* 12b. Quranic Madinah Verses 4:66-4:68: And if We prescribed for them that you: Kill yourselves, or: Go forth from your abodes, they would not have accomplished it, but a few of them. And had they accomplished what they are admonished by it, it would have been better for them and a stauncher confirming. And, then, We would have given them from that which proceeds from Our Presence a sublime compensation. And We would have guided them on a straight path.
12b. Muslims must abandon any un-Islamic political system such as democracy, nationalism and secularism.

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* 13a. Quranic Madinah Verse 4:100: And whoever emigrates in the way of God will find in and on the earth many places of refuge and plenty. And whoever goes forth from his house as one who emigrates for God and His Messenger, and, again, death overtakes him, then, surely, his compensation will fall on God. And God had been Forgiving, Compassionate.
13a. It is forbidden to seek aid, assistance or comfort from non-Muslims. This is obligatory disassociation (bara).

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* 13b. Quranic Madinah Verse 4:100: And whoever emigrates in the way of God will find in and on the earth many places of refuge and plenty. And whoever goes forth from his house as one who emigrates for God and His Messenger, and, again, death overtakes him, then, surely, his compensation will fall on God. And God had been Forgiving, Compassionate.
13b. Voting and taking part in democratic political elections in non-Muslims countries is forbidden.

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* 13c. Quranic Madinah Verse 4:100: And whoever emigrates in the way of God will find in and on the earth many places of refuge and plenty. And whoever goes forth from his house as one who emigrates for God and His Messenger, and, again, death overtakes him, then, surely, his compensation will fall on God. And God had been Forgiving, Compassionate.
13c. It is obligatory to migrate to Muslim majority countries. This is the guiding principle of Love (alliance, wala) -Hatred (dissociation, bara).

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* 13d. Quranic Madinah Verse 4:100: And whoever emigrates in the way of God will find in and on the earth many places of refuge and plenty. And whoever goes forth from his house as one who emigrates for God and His Messenger, and, again, death overtakes him, then, surely, his compensation will fall on God. And God had been Forgiving, Compassionate.
13d. Muslims who willingly accept the rule of non-Muslims, and live under any rule other than the Shariah, are committing acts that nullify their faith so they may be killed without impunity.

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* 14a. Quranic Madinah Verse 9:29: Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day nor forbid what God and His Messenger forbade nor practice the way of life of The Truth among those who were given the Book until they give the tribute out of hand and they be ones who comply.
14a. Not only is alliance and friendship (wala) forbidden with Jews and Christians, but with all non-Muslims as well as those who profess to be Muslim but do not follow the Love-Hatred doctrine.

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* 15a. Quranic Madinah Verse 2:193 And fight them until there be no persecution (fitna), and the way of life be for God. Then, if they refrained themselves, then, there is to be no deep seated dislike, but against the ones who are unjust.
15a. The establishment of the Islamic state will not be completed without armed jihad.

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* 15b. Quranic Madinah Verse 2:193 And fight them until there be no persecution (fitna), and the way of life be for God. Then, if they refrained themselves, then, there is to be no deep seated dislike, but against the ones who are unjust.
15b. Only armed jihad can remove all the characteristics of jahiliyyah (state of ignorance) from the Muslim community (ummah).

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* 15c. Quranic Madinah Verse 2:193 And fight them until there be no persecution (fitna), and the way of life be for God. Then, if they refrained themselves, then, there is to be no deep seated dislike, but against the ones who are unjust.
15c. Armed jihad guarantees the preservation of the community and it distinguishes the believer from the disbeliever.

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* 15d. Quranic Madinah Verse 2:193 And fight them until there be no persecution (fitna), and the way of life be for God. Then, if they refrained themselves, then, there is to be no deep seated dislike, but against the ones who are unjust.
15d. Armed jihad is obligatory for all Muslims. It refers to armed aggression against the infidels or enemies of Islam. Members of armed jihad must take a pledge or oath of allegiance from one of the leaders to show their loyalty to the leader, group and its doctrines. With this pledge they become obligated to listen and obey to the best of their ability in matters which do not constitute a sin to God, to the amir as the leader of the group and other appointed leaders. This group then must target the Muslim community (ummah) to seek support and garner sympathizers to its cause.

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* 16a. Quranic Madinah Verses 22:39-22:40: Permission was given to those who are fought against because they were wronged. And, truly, Powerful is God to help them, (22:39) those who were driven out from their abodes without right because they say: Our Lord is God! If not for God driving back humanity, some by some other, cloisters would be demolished and churches and synagogues and mosques in which is remembered in it the Name of God frequently. Truly, God will help whoever helps Him. Truly, God is Strong, Almighty. (22:40)
16a It is permitted to destroy churches, synagogues and mosques of the disbelievers because we declare (takfir) their followers to be disbelievers (kuffar).

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* 17a. Quranic Madinah Verse 9:5: When the months of pilgrim sanctity were drawn away, then, kill the ones who are idolaters wherever you found them and take them and besiege them and sit in every place of ambush. Then, if they repented and performed the formal prayer and gave the purifying alms, then, let them go their way. Truly, God is Forgiving, Compassionate.
17a. Verse 9:5 above is called the Sword Verse. This verse, 9:5, replaces verse 60:8 along with another 123 verses of the Quran, especially the Makkan verses that counsel patience, forgiveness, mercy, compassion and peace.

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* 18a. Quranic Madinah Verse 4:59 O those who believed! Obey God and obey the Messenger and those given authority among you.
19a. Those given authority among you refers to rulers who must implement the Shariah or be disposed of through jihad.

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* 18b. Quranic Madinah Verse 4:59 O those who believed! Obey God and obey the Messenger and those given authority among you.
18b. Those rulers who do not rule by the Shariah, who do not abide by the commands of God, are declared to be disbelievers (kuffar).

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* 19a. Quranic Madinah Verses 9:23 O those who believed! Take not to yourselves your fathers and brothers/sisters as protectors if they embraced disbelief instead of belief. And whoever of you turns away to them, then, those, they are the ones who are unjust.
19a. All ties of blood and family relations who are disbelievers must be severed before the tie of belief can take hold in your hearts.

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* 19b. Quranic Madinah Verses 9:23 O those who believed! Take not to yourselves your fathers and brothers/sisters as protectors if they embraced disbelief instead of belief. And whoever of you turns away to them, then, those, they are the ones who are unjust.
20b. The term “disbelievers” (kuffar) here means the idolaters (mushrikun), as well, because maintaining ties of loyalty and alliance with family and community when they prefer disbelief to faith is a form of idolatry.

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* 20a. Quranic Madinah Verse 60:1: O those who believed! Take not My enemies to yourselves and your enemies as protectors, giving a proposal of affection towards them while they were disbelievers for what drew near you of The Truth. They drive out the Messenger and you because you believe in God, your Lord. If you had been going forth struggling in My way and looking for My goodwill, you keep secret affection for them. Yet I am greater in knowledge of what you concealed and what you spoke openly. And whoever accomplishes that among you, surely, he went astray from the right path.
21a. The enemies of God and Muslims are whoever does not accept and practice the Love-Hatred doctrine (al-wala wal-bara).

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* 21a. Quranic Madinah Verses 5:33-5:34 The only recompense for those who war against God and His Messenger and hasten about corruption in and on the earth is that they be killed or they be crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on opposite sides or they be expelled from the region. That for them is their degradation in the present. And for them in the world to come, there is a tremendous punishment, but for those who repent before you overpower them. So know you that God is Forgiving, Compassionate.
21a. This verse is in regard to the disbelievers, apostates, Jews, Christians, hypocrites and all those who wage war upon God and his Prophet as well as those who leave Islam by not accepting God, the Messenger and the Love-Hatred doctrine (al-wala wal-bara).

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* 22a. Quranic Madinah Verse 2:256: There is no compulsion in religion. Surely, right judgment became clear from error. So whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in God, then surely he holds fast to the most firm handhold. It is not breakable and God is Hearing, Knowing.
22a. This verse above, 2:256, was replaced by the Sword Verse, 9:5: Verse 9:5 says: When the months of pilgrim sanctity were drawn away, then, kill the ones who are idolaters wherever you found them and take them and besiege them and sit in every place of ambush. Then, if they repented and performed the formal prayer and gave the purifying alms, then, let them go their way. Truly, God is Forgiving, Compassionate.

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* 22b. Quranic Madinah Verse 2:256: There is no compulsion in religion. Surely, right judgment became clear from error. So whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in God, then surely he holds fast to the most firm handhold. It is not breakable and God is Hearing, Knowing.
22b. According to verse 2:256 above, there is no compulsion in religion. Therefore, a person must freely choose religion. That person is then responsible to God for his or her decision and actions. If a person is forced to accept a religion, that person is no longer responsible to God for his or her actions.

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* 22c. Quranic Madinah Verse 2:256: There is no compulsion in religion. Surely, right judgment became clear from error. So whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in God, then surely he holds fast to the most firm handhold. It is not breakable and God is Hearing, Knowing.
22c. As this is an ethical and moral verse, it cannot be replaced by another verse.

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* 23a. Quranic Makkah Verses 109:1-109:6: Say: O ones who are ungrateful/disbelievers! I worship not what you worship. And you are not ones who worship what I worship. And I am not one who worships what you worshiped and you are not ones who worship what I worship. For you is your religion and for me is my religion.
23a. The word kufr has many meaning, one of which is “to disbelieve.”

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* 23b. Quranic Makkah Verses 109:1-109:6: Say: O ones who are ungrateful/disbelievers! I worship not what you worship. And you are not ones who worship what I worship. And I am not one who worships what you worshiped and you are not ones who worship what I worship. For you is your religion and for me is my religion.
23b. The word kufr also means “to be ungrateful.”

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