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386chapter sixa verse that will be further discussed in the section on al-qit§l, 55and mentioned last in the context of the pagans’ detestation ofthe true religion. 56 The sense of aversion to accept anythingunder pressure is expressed in Håd’s speech to his people: ‘Hesaid: “My people, think: if I did have a clear sign from my Lord,and He had given me grace of His own, though it was hiddenfrom you, could we force you to accept it against your will (lah§k§rihån)?” (Håd 11:28, AH). The meaning of pain is stated in:‘We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: in pain didhis mother bear him, and in pain (kurh an ) did she give himbirth…’ ( Al-AÈq§f 46:15). The term ikr§h means compulsion,duress, and also, as we saw in 11:28, a force against a person’swill. The prohibition of ikr§h is not only mandatory within therealm of prophethood (and hence the realm of personal responsibilityon the Day of Judgement), but also within the realm ofmessengerhood, as is expressed in many verses of the Book 57 andin numerous ÈadÊths. 58 If it is true that a contract of sale or anyother business contract is invalid if it is signed under duress, thatan oath of allegiance to the ruler is worthless if it is given undercompulsion, that a marriage contract is null and void if it isdone by force, and if it is true that a statement of belief in God,His angels, His books, and His messengers is false if it is notgiven wholeheartedly and voluntarily, how can it then be rightthat people use force and swing a whip when they prescribewhat is right and proscribe what is wrong?55‘Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it [wa huwa kurh un lakum]. But itis possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thingwhich is bad for you…’ ( Al-Baqara 2:216).56‘It is He Who has sent His Apostle with guidance and the religion of truth, thathe may proclaim it over all religion, even though the pagans may detest (it) [kariha]’( Al-‘aff 61:9).57E.g., ‘Let there be no compulsion [ikr§h] in religion. Truth stands out clearfrom error…’ ( Al-Baqara 2:256); and ‘If it had been your Lord’s will, they would allhave believed—all who are on earth! Will you then compel mankind, against theirwill, to believe!’ (Yånus 10:99).58‘All§h has taken away from my nation [the sins of ] mistake, forgetfulness andthose [things] they were forced to do.’ MuÈammad Al-QazwÊnÊ, Sunan b. M§jah (Beirut:D§r IÈy§" al-Kutub al-#Arabiyya, 1952), vol. 1, 659 (ÈadÊth no. 2045). MS addsin a footnote that ‘this ÈadÊth is clearly in harmony with the spirit of the Book (see, forexample, 2:256). Why \adÊth scholars such as Bukh§rÊ and Muslim did not authenticatethis ÈadÊth, there are certainly many obvious reasons, but space prevents usfrom going into details here’.