Is it true that the Koran prophesies the "War on Terror" against Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden? I recently received an email. It said, "No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated with it than Iraq... Since America is typically represented by an eagle, Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages. The following verse is from the Koran (the Islamic Bible). 9:11 -- 'For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace.' Note the verse number. It is 9:11." Hmm... God Bless you all. Amen!
This hoax has unfortunately made the rounds.
It is easy for rumor and gossip to proliferate when no one bothers to check the facts. Surah 9, verse 11 of the Koran says nothing of the sort mentioned above. (That "prophecy" was concocted!) The actual passage reads, "But if they repent and pay the poor tax, they are brothers in faith. And We make the messages clear for a people who know." The text has nothing to do with an eagle -- or a cleansing. In fact, the word eagle does not even appear in the Koran! So much for the prophecy about America.
The lesson: Don't believe everything you read. Especially things written to stir up enmity. The peoples of the Middle East are not my enemy. For our warfare is not against flesh and blood...
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