Dave's Blog

Fitna is a movie done by Dutch politician Geert Wilders. While he might have not portrayed the verses the right way, he does bring attention to the the threat of Radical Islam, especially for Europeans. For far too long people have buried their heads in the sand, trying to ignore the threat or simply pretend it isn’t a threat. They thought it’s only happening in the Middle East and not their home, but sadly, it is happening at home and hopefully the movie will snap them out of their dream world.

Now, here is my analysis of the verses in Fitna by my Qur’an and my opinion of them in comparison to the movie. The verses I’ve wrote come from my Qur’an that I received from a Muslim friend (I am agnostic, not Muslim, Christian, etc.) and I feel that they should be addressed to get a better understanding of Islam. While the movie Fitna might take somethings out of context, radical Islam needs to be stopped and the West needs to realize and assert that it will not conform to Islamic laws. I could have made some typos in the verses as I copied them, so post if you feel something is not correct, reply with a comment!

Click Fitna the Movie (English) to see it in English and Fitna the Movie (Dutch) to see in Dutch.

The Surahs with the “Comparison:” in front of them signifies that the verse is one that I am comparing from film with my Koran. Any verses that don’t have “Comparison:” are there to offer more context or to clarify a point, they are not verses from Fitna. I will also include a video link to when the verse appears in Fitna video.

Comparison: Surah 8 – Verse 60 – “The Spoils of War” [EN Video Link] [NL Video Link] The summary before the Surah states that this was written shortly after The Battle of Badr so keep that in mind when it’s dealing with war.

Against them make ready
Your strength to the utmost
Of your power, including
Seeds of war, to strike terror
Into (the hearts of) the enemies,
Of Allah and your enemies,
And others besides, whom
Ye may not know, but whom
Allah doth know. Whatever
Ye shall spend in the Cause
Of Allah, shall be repaid
Unto you, and ye shall not
Be treated unjustly

My comment: At first sight, this verse does seem to match the context Fitna uses to appear violent. But remember, the Bible and other religious text have violent verses in them aswell. Also, this particular verse is in regards to warfare… And the next verse after the above states:

Surah 8 – Verse 61

But if the enemy
Incline towards peace,
Do thou (also) incline
Towards peace, and trust
In Allah: for He is the One
The heareth and knoweth
(All things).

My comment: Pretty obvious meaning. If your enemy wants peace, you should give them peace. Not so violent, really…

Comparison: Surah 4 – Verse 56 – “The Women” [EN Video Link] [NL Video Link]

Those who reject
Our Signs, We shall soon
Cast into the Fire;
As often as their skins
Are roasted through,
We shall change them
For fresh skins,
That they may taste
The Penalty: for Allah
Is Exalted in Power, Wise

My comment: This verse does seem bad, and it is in my opinion. But here’s what it is in regards to: The Muslim community and how to deal with unbelievers. It is talking how to deal with them within the Muslim community. Still violent, yes, but just means if you are a non-believer, don’t go to live in Muslim states. But it is a bad verse and there is no redeeming one after it.

Comparison: Surah 47 – Verse 4 – “Muhammad” [EN Video Link] [NL Video Link]

Therefore, when ye meet
The Unbelievers (in fight),
Smite at their necks;
At length, when ye have
Thoroughly subdued them,
Bind a bond
Firmly (on them): thereafter
(Is the time for) either
Generosity or ransom:
Until the war lays down
Its burdens. Thus (are ye
Commanded): but if it
Had been Allah’s Will
He could certainly have exacted
Retribution from them (Himself);
But (He lets you fight)
In order to test you,
Some with others.
But those who are slain
In the way of Allah–
He will never let
Their deeds be lost.

My comment: Again, there is no redeeming verse. But if you want to look at it… lightly… this is in regards to warfare. When he is talking about the fight being entered, I don’t know if they mean if the enemy fights you or you declared on them… So I cannot say if it’s talking about in defense, but from the context, no it is not it looks like. “Thoroughly subdued them,” means kill a lot of them, then the “Bind a bond” means you can now take prisoners because their numbers are dwindled. The generosity or ransom part is context of charging money/land/etc for prisoners or generously just letting them go. Still, not a very heart warming verse.

Comparison: Surah 4 – Verse 89 – “The Women” [EN Video Link] [NL Video Link]

They but wish that ye
Should reject Faith,
As they do, and thus be
On the same footing (as they):
So take not allies
From their ranks
Until they flee
In the way of Allah
(From what is forbidden).
But if they turn renegades,
Seize them and slay them
Wherever ye find them;
And (in any case) take
No allies or supporters
From their ranks —

My comment: This verse is in context of people from the enemy army and deserters of the army of Islam. Really, slaying deserters was not uncommon. Not that bad and it is not talking about unbelievers in general. And there is a better verse afterwards…

Surah 4 -Verse 90

Except those who join
A group between whom
And you there is a treaty
(Of peace), or those who approach
You wish hearts restraining
Them from fighting you
As well as fighting their own
People. If Allah had pleased,
He could have given them
Power over you, and they
Would have fought you:
Therefore if they withdraw
From you but fight you not,
And (instead) send you
(Guarantees of) peace, then Allah
Hath opened no way
For you (to war against them)

My comment: It is saying if they give up, agree, for Allah does not approve if you keep warring.

Comparison: Surah 8 – Verse 39 – “The Spoils of War” [EN Video Link] [NL Video Link]

And fight them on
Until there is no more
Tumult or oppression,
And there prevails
Justice and faith in Allah
Altogether and everywhere;
But if they cease, verily Allah
Doth see all that they do.

My comment: Again, remember Surah 8 refers to the The Battle of Badr a lot. I think it is talking about the battle and how to continue fighting. If you’re already at war, why wouldn’t you fight until there is no more opposition? It says in the last two lines as well, if they give up, respect that. The verse after that talk about if they don’t what to do, which isn’t that interesting.

Overall, the movie brings up the problem of radical Islam and how the West is caving into it. At least we have a film to campaign against it, but maybe we will have a more scholarly film out later now that we have people waking up to the threat of radical Islam.