Introduction

The Qur’an contains verses that, when read without context or deeper interpretation, may seem harsh. Yet, within the Islamic spiritual tradition, especially in esoteric and mystical interpretations such as Sufism, these verses often carry profound wisdom about the nature of justice, human psychology, and spiritual transformation. This essay aims to move beyond surface readings and  eclaim these passages as timeless metaphors for the inner and outer struggles of human beings striving toward truth.

I. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:191): Struggle Against Oppression and the Self

“And kill them wherever you find them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah (persecution) is worse than killing. But do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the reward of the disbelievers.”

This verse is often misunderstood as a call for aggression, but in its historical context it refers to defensive warfare, a response to persecution and existential threats. Esoterically, however, “killing” represents the elimination of oppression, ignorance, and spiritual disease within oneself and society.

• “Kill them wherever you find them” can be read as an inner jihad (struggle) against one’s lower self (nafs) that manifests as arrogance, hatred, and injustice.

• “Expel them from wherever they expelled you” symbolizes the necessity of restoring balance when harmony is disrupted.

• “Fitnah (persecution) is worse than killing” reminds us that systemic oppression, psychological enslavement, and spiritual corruption are far more harmful than physical death.

In a modern reading, this verse reminds us that resisting oppression, both externally and internally, is a sacred duty, but it must always be guided by ethics, compassion, and wisdom.

II. Surah An-Nisa (4:34): Relationships as Responsibility and Harmony

“Men are protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has given one more (strength) than the other and because they support them from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance (nushuz) – advise them, forsake them in bed, and [as a last resort] strike them. But if they obey you, seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.”

This verse is often cited as controversial, especially regarding the phrase “strike them” (idribuhunna). The Arabic word daraba has multiple meanings, one of which is “to separate” or “to set an example.”

• “Men are protectors and maintainers of women” does not imply superiority but emphasizes responsibility, accountability, and care. It is a call for men to uphold justice and provide support.

• “Obedience” (qanitat) is often misread as blind submission, but in Sufi tradition, it refers to harmony with divine wisdom, just as the soul is obedient to divine truth.

• The word “strike” (idrib) can mean to distance or separate oneself, which aligns with the Prophet Muhammad’s practice, he never struck a woman but used withdrawal as a form of nonviolent conflict resolution.

In today’s world, this verse is not a license for harm but a reminder that relationships should be founded on mutual responsibility, care, and wisdom, and that conflict must be handled ethically, with restraint and dignity.

III. Surah Al-Tawbah (9:5): The Sword Verse and the Idols Within

“And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them, capture them, 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 their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”

Often called the “Sword Verse,” this passage is frequently misread as a universal command for violence. In reality, it was revealed in a specific historical context regarding tribes who had violated peace treaties and waged war. Esoterically, the verse speaks to the eradication of inner idols that enslave the human being.

• “Kill the polytheists wherever you find them” means to confront and eliminate false attachments and destructive desires, greed, ego, materialism, that take us away from truth.

• “Capture them, besiege them” symbolizes total commitment to self-discipline and ethical awareness, restraining one’s lower impulses.

• “Allah is Forgiving and Merciful” reminds us that transformation is always possible, and anyone can turn back to a higher state of being.

Today, this verse reminds seekers that the true jihad is to eliminate the idols of ego, oppression, and corruption, both within ourselves and in society. Its message is not violence but purification and renewal.

Conclusion: Harshness as Intensity of Truth

When stripped from their context, these verses appear harsh. Yet within a spiritual and rational framework, they reflect profound truths about justice, struggle, selfdiscipline, and transformation. The Qur’an ultimately calls for mercy, balance, and wisdom. Harshness in scripture often signals the intensity of the struggle between truth and falsehood, whether in society or within the human soul.

For the modern seeker, these verses become guiding metaphors for resilience, justice, and inner reform. They remind us that the spiritual path is not passive, but a courageous struggle against oppression, ignorance, and ego, always anchored in the mercy and wisdom of the Divine.