Does Islam Say to Fight with Jews and Christians

In Islam, there is no reference to fighting with Jews and Christians, but it is allowed in Islam to fight in self-defense. This applies not only to Jews and Christians but also to Muslims; if two Muslim groups start fighting, the same principles apply to them as to Jews, Christians, or anyone else. However, Islam promotes that it is better to avoid war and restore peace. If one party starts fighting and then stops, we should not continue to fight with them. In this article, I will include all references.

📖Quran 9:29

Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture – [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.

This verse is very popular, as many Christians and Jews use it to claim that we should fight with them until they accept Islam or pay a tax. However, this verse was revealed at a time when people of the scriptures— including Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians— started fighting against Muslims. It is not necessary to single out Jews or Christians, but they have allied with the pagans The earlier verses of Surah At-Tawbah (especially verses 9:1-28) describe how some of the tribes and groups had broken their peace treaties with the Muslims. Specifically, and they initiated the fight, which led to the revelation of this verse. While this verse still applies today, it must be understood in the same context. For example, if a country has a law that requires tax payments, Islam’s Jizyah is similar to a tax that must be paid to maintain the country and protect its population from external threats. It helps build the country, creates jobs in the army and police, and supports national defense. Therefore, if there are one million Christians in Saudi Arabia and they do not pay tax, Muslim countries would apply pressure to have them pay the tax. If they refuse and choose to fight instead, the verse would apply, meaning they must either accept Islam or agree to pay the tax. This principle also applies to Muslims, who must pay taxes as well. So, this verse is a law that does not promote fighting without cause.

📖Qur’an 29:46
Sahih International
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.

This verse is enough evidence that the verse about fighting was revealed based on context, when they started fighting. Otherwise, it is not even allowed to speak with them in a harsh or insulting way.

📖Quran 5:51
O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.

The verse (Quran 5:51) advises against making Jews and Christians allies in a context of conflict or war. It emphasizes that they have mutual alliances with one another, and if a Muslim chooses to align with them in such a context, they might be seen as aligning with their interests, which is considered wrong in the eyes of Allah, Here is the context: This verse does not refer to us not making them friends, as many Christians say about this verse, which is not true 👇

📖Quran 60:8
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes— from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

📖Quran 2:256
Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the most trustworthy, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

📖Qur’an 5:82
Sahih International
You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah ; and you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, “We are Christians.” That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.

In this verse, it says that Christians are closest to us in terms of affection or friendliness, but it also mentions that Jews and those who associate others with God have animosity towards Muslims. However, it doesn’t say that we should behave like them or fight with them. As stated in Qur’an 60:8, this applies to all who do not fight us. Additionally, Qur’an 29:46 refers to the People of the Scriptures, Christians and Jews, and instructs us not to speak to them in a bad way.

In this article, I have included references and explanations showing that there are no verses in the Qur’an that instruct us to fight with anyone without reason. However, if someone fights us, we have the right to self-defense. Here are some more verses.

📖Quran 2:216
Battle has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.

In Quran 2:216, Allah acknowledges the discomfort and reluctance humans may feel towards conflict, stating that battle has been enjoined upon them, even though it is hateful. The verse emphasizes that while something may seem undesirable, it might hold greater wisdom and benefit, even if it is not immediately apparent. In this case, although fighting is difficult and against human inclination, God, in His infinite knowledge, understands the broader context and purpose behind it. He knows that protecting people and defending them from oppression may be essential, even if it feels difficult or unwelcome. The verse reminds us that Allah’s wisdom surpasses our limited understanding, and what may seem harmful or unpleasant in the moment could have a greater, unseen benefit in the long run.

📖Quran 4:75
And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, “Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?

Quran 4:75 urges believers to fight for the cause of Allah and defend the oppressed, including men, women, and children suffering under injustice. The verse highlights the responsibility to support those who cry out for help, seeking Allah’s protection and assistance in freeing them from oppression, as Quran 60:8 says, “expel you from your homes.” At that time, the Quran urges us to protect them. There are no verses in the entire Quran that allow fighting without reason; only impostors spread lies on social media platforms.

📖Quran 2:190
Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.

Quran 2:190 instructs Muslims to fight only in self-defense against those who engage in battle with them, while emphasizing the importance of not overstepping limits. It stresses that transgression, unprovoked aggression or harm, is prohibited, and Allah dislikes such behavior. The verse highlights the principle of just warfare and restraint.

📖Quran 22:27
Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory.

In this verse, it is mentioned that permission is only given if someone fights, and we have the right to fight back.

📖Quran 8:61
And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah . Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing.

And in this verse, it says that suppose even if there is a fight between Christians and Muslims, and the Christians are ready for peace, we are told to accept the peace deal instead of fighting with them. In the Qur’an, the rest of the verses describe how to fight, but there are no verses in the entire Qur’an that promote fighting with anyone without reason. The same applies to Muslims here 👇

📖Quran 49:9
And if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah . And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

• Now, in this article, you will find all the answers. If something a Muslim does wrong, it has nothing to do with the basis of Islam. Hatred towards each other is also human nature; even in every community, their own people have issues with each other, and it’s a different matter. But the Qur’an does not promote fighting without reason until someone fights with us, nor does it promote hating anyone. It describes the animosity of Jews and pagans towards Muslims, but as I mentioned, the Qur’an says we should live with them in a good manner, even if they have animosity towards Muslims.