The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 311
PT. 2 AL-BAQARAH 193. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful. 199 CH. 2 فَإِنِ انْتَهَوْا فَإِنَّ اللهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمُ ) Commentary: "8:40. The verse relates to conditions when a war has actually broken out. Obviously it does not apply to all disbelievers, for it only says, "kill them" and not "kill the disbelievers". The pronoun "them" clearly refers to, those who fight against you, as mentioned in the previous verse. The verse calls upon Muslims to fight against only such disbelievers as take up arms against them. It does not call upon them to slay each and every disbeliever that may happen to come in their way. Indeed this verse affords a remarkable instance of the way in which the plain words of the Quran generally distorted by the are opponents of Islam. The clause, and drive them out from where they have driven you out, refers to the time when the enemies of Islam compelled the Holy Prophet and his Companions to flee from Mecca. It enjoins Muslims to bear in mind that they have eventually to conquer Mecca which being the centre and the most sacred place of Islam, no non-Muslim would be allowed to remain in it. The clause, persecution is worse than killing, provides an argument in support of defensive war. The disbelievers were persecuting Muslims in diverse ways with a view to turning them away from their faith and they were also creating disorder in the land. It was certainly better to 311 put a stop to this state of affairs by fighting against the aggressors than to allow it to continue. There are circumstances when, to every right- thinking man, war becomes necessary. The words a (persecution) and (killing) may be interpreted in another way also. "persecution or war waged against a people with a view to turning them from their faith", and means, "an ordinary secular war". Now the verse فتنة means, points out that a war of religious persecution is worse than an ordinary war; for, firstly, worldly interests are nothing as compared with matters of faith; and secondly, wars caused by religious differences are more bitter and cruel, and seldom come to an end. and near the Sacred Mosque until The clause, and fight them not in they fight you therein, contains a very important principle. Even after the declaration of war, there are restrictions to be observed, and Muslims should never be the first to break them. The sanctity of the holy precincts of the Ka'bah must be safeguarded even in time of war. If, however, the other party violates its sanctity, Muslims may retaliate so that the attacking party may thereby be brought to its senses. 199. Commentary: The verse speaks of the great clemency of Islamic teaching. Even after the disbelievers have inflicted