“But Nabeel, there are other verses in the Quran, like ‘slay the infidels wherever you find them.’78 How do we know the verse you quoted takes precedence?” Fortunately, I had heard this issue explained in a recent khutba, so I had a ready response. “That verse refers to a very specific circumstance, when the polytheists of Mecca had breached a contract with Muslims. It’s not a general principle. The general principle is peace.” Then Mike asked his most simple, yet most devastating, question: “How do you know that?” “I’m sorry?” “How do you know the historical context of the Quran?” “From
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