Who Should be Fought

Have you not seen the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses? They said to their prophet, ‘Appoint for us a king so we may fight in Allah’s cause.’ He replied, ‘What if you refuse to fight when commanded?’ They said, ‘Why would we not fight when we have been driven from our homes and children?’ Yet when fighting was ordained, they turned away, except for a few.

"You are the best community raised for humanity, you enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allah. If the People of the Book had believed, it would have been better for them. Some among them are faithful, but most are rebellious.

They will not harm you except with minor annoyance. If they fight you, they will turn and flee, and they will find no help.

Fight those who do not believe in Allah or the Last Day, who do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and who do not follow the true religion—among those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the tax willingly, humbled.

O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and hypocrites, and be firm with them.

Believers fight for Allah’s cause, while disbelievers fight for falsehood. So, battle against the allies of Satan, his schemes are weak.

If you sought judgment, then judgment has come to you. If you desist, it is better for you. But if you return to battle, We will return, and your forces, no matter how great, will not benefit you. Allah is with the believers.

If they turn away, then know that Allah is your protector, what an excellent protector and helper!

O believers! Fight the disbelievers around you and let them find you firm. Know that Allah is with the righteous.

God repelled the disbelievers in their rage, leaving them empty-handed.

When the sacred months have passed, then fight the polytheists wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every ambush. But if they repent, establish prayer, and give charity, then let them go their way.

If any polytheist seeks your protection, grant it to him so that he may hear the words of Allah, then escort him to a place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.

How can there be a treaty with Allah and His Messenger for the polytheists, except for those with whom you made a treaty at the Sacred Mosque? As long as they remain true to you, remain true to them.

How can they be trusted? Whenever they gain the upper hand, they respect neither kinship nor treaty. They satisfy you with words, but their hearts reject you, and most of them are corrupt.

They traded away Allah’s revelations for a cheap price, turning others away from His path. How evil is what they did!

They respect neither kinship nor treaty toward a believer. They are the true transgressors.

But if they repent, establish prayer, and give charity, then they are your brothers in faith. We clarify the signs for those who understand.

But if they break their oaths after pledging and attack your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief, they have no faith, so that they may cease.

They wish you would disbelieve as they have, so you would be alike. Do not take them as allies until they migrate for Allah’s cause. But if they turn hostile, seize them and fight them wherever you find them. Do not take them as allies or supporters.

Except for those who seek refuge with a people bound to you by a treaty, or those who come to you with hearts unwilling to fight either you or their own people. Had Allah willed, He could have empowered them against you, and they would have fought you. So, if they withdraw, refuse to fight, and offer peace, then Allah does not permit you to harm them.

You will find others who wish to be at peace with you and their own people, yet whenever they are drawn into conflict, they plunge into it. If they do not withdraw, offer peace, or restrain their aggression, then seize them wherever you find them. Against such people, We have given you clear authority.

Have you not seen the hypocrites who say to their disbelieving allies among the People of the Book, “If you are expelled, we will go with you and never obey anyone against you. If you are attacked, we will help you.” But God bears witness that they are liars.

If they are expelled, they will not go with them. If they are attacked, they will not help them. And even if they did, they would turn and flee, then be left with no support.

You strike more fear in their hearts than God does. That is because they are people who do not understand.

They will not fight you together except from behind fortified walls or from within villages. Their hostility toward each other is intense. You think they are united, but their hearts are divided. That is because they are people who do not reason.

You who believe, do not take My enemies and yours as allies, offering them affection while they reject the truth that has come to you. They drove out the Messenger, and you, simply for believing in God, your Lord. If you left your homes to strive in My cause and seek My pleasure, do not secretly befriend them. I know what you conceal and what you reveal. Whoever does this has strayed from the straight path.