Explanation of Quran Verse 9:5

đź“–Quran 9:1
[This is a declaration of] disassociation, from Allah and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists.

This is the beginning of the chapter. There is a treaty between the Muslims and non-Muslims, but they didn’t fulfill it; rather, they started fighting with the Muslims after the treaty.

đź“–Quran 9:2
So travel freely, [O disbelievers], throughout the land [during] four months but know that you cannot cause failure to Allah and that Allah will disgrace the disbelievers.

Then a command comes to allow them four months to repent or leave the land because if they continue to do their evil, there will be no escape for them.

đź“–Quran 9:3
Sahih International
And [it is] an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah is disassociated from the disbelievers, and [so is] His Messenger. So if you repent, that is best for you; but if you turn away – then know that you will not cause failure to Allah . And give tidings to those who disbelieve of a painful punishment.

They have not fulfilled the peace treaty, so they have been warned to repent within four months, otherwise, Muslims will take action against them.

đź“–Quran 9:5
And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

In the verse, the prescribed punishment for the polytheists who breached the treaty is clear, but it also offers them an opportunity for repentance. Despite the four-month grace period given for repentance, those who continued to fight were subject to the consequences outlined. However, this punishment applies specifically to those who were engaged in hostilities and persisted in fighting. The option for repentance, establishing prayer, and giving zakah was offered to the polytheists captured during the conflict, which allowed them to embrace Islam, practice it, and be free from punishment.

The phrase “But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way” refers to the idea that those captured during war who choose to accept Islam and adhere to the faith should not face punishment due to their repentance. However, it is important to note that this applies specifically to those polytheists who did not cease fighting and were captured by Muslims during the conflict. This provision is not applicable to all situations, particularly in the context of modern international law, where such allowances are not present, Furthermore, in the next verse, there is a clear provision for non-Muslims who are fighting against Muslims but later seek protection or wish to leave the conflict. If they express a desire for peace or request protection from the Muslims, they should be granted safety and allowed to return to their homes. This is a clear indication that Islam advocates for the protection of those who seek peace, even during wartime, and emphasizes the importance of offering mercy and safety to those who choose to stop fighting and want to avoid further conflict, It is important to highlight that Islam prohibits coerced conversions. If a person who had previously opposed Islam, fought against it, and committed wrongful acts, later repents and embraces Islam upon being captured, they should be treated with compassion. They are not to be punished for their past actions as long as they demonstrate a sincere commitment to the faith and good deeds. Thus, accepting Islam in this context applies to those polytheists who continued the war and were captured by Muslims, even though their past actions may have been grave. Their repentance and embrace of Islam allowed them to live peacefully under the faith, In summary, the opportunity for repentance and acceptance of Islam is available to those polytheists who did not cease hostilities and were captured during the conflict. It does not apply universally to all non-Muslims during war, particularly when they voluntarily seek peace, as Islam promotes offering safety and peace to those who desire it.

đź“–Quran 9:6
And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah . Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.

In this verse, if an enemy seeks refuge, it becomes imperative for a Muslim to convey the message of God and ensure their safety, providing protection from harm. These principles diverge from the modern laws governing our world, which often lack such compassion. Current governmental regulations fail to provide this level of sanctuary, leading to wars where even women and children become victims.

Summary:

These verses was revealed during the time of Prophet Muhammad, yet it remains applicable today. However, the timeframe mentioned in Qur’an 9:5 depends on the situation, as the verse was specifically revealed for that period. So, in the present time, if anyone initiates a fight with Muslims, they can be given a different timeframe to stop the violence. If the enemy refuses to cease the violence, Muslims have the right to fight back. This represents a just law during war, and we can find similar laws in our contemporary world, based on each country’s constitution.

Prohibition of Fighting Without Just Cause with Non-Muslims

đź“–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.

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

  • In Islam, it is not permissible to initiate fighting with non-Muslims unless they have initiated hostilities. However, it is permissible to engage in self-defense if they provoke or attack Muslims first.
Islamic Law vs. Modern International Law:

Related Article: Laws of War in the Quran

  1. Geneva Conventions (1949)
    • Geneva Convention IV: Protection of civilians during times of war.
      • Article 3: Ensures humane treatment of prisoners of war and civilians, prohibiting violence, taking hostages, and degrading treatment.
    • Connection to Islamic Law: Similar to Quran 9:6, the Geneva Conventions emphasize the protection of civilians and prisoners, even in wartime. The Qur’an also encourages mercy and the protection of non-combatants during conflicts.
    • URL: Geneva Conventions, Article 3
  2. United Nations Charter (1945)
    • Article 2(4): Prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
    • Article 51: Recognizes the right of self-defense against an armed attack.
    • Connection to Islamic Law: Similar to Quran 2:190, which allows fighting only in self-defense, the UN Charter also permits self-defense but prohibits aggression and the use of force without just cause.
    • URL: United Nations Charter
  3. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
    • Article 6: Right to life. It prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life and affirms the right to life under lawful circumstances, such as self-defense.
    • Article 9: Protection from arbitrary arrest or detention.
    • Connection to Islamic Law: The Qur’an also emphasizes justice and lawful conduct, ensuring that no harm comes to people unless they are engaged in unjust actions or warfare (Quran 60:8, Quran 2:190).
    • URL: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  4. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
    • Article 3: Right to life, liberty, and security of person.
    • Article 18: Right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
    • Connection to Islamic Law: Quran 9:6 shares a similar principle, offering protection to those who seek peace or refuge, granting them the opportunity to hear the message of Islam and ensuring their safety.
    • URL: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  5. The Hague Convention (1907)
    • Article 23: Prohibits the use of weapons that cause unnecessary suffering and requires the humane treatment of prisoners and civilians.
    • Article 42: Prohibits the occupation of enemy territory without ensuring the welfare of the people.
    • Connection to Islamic Law: Like the Islamic laws of war, the Hague Convention emphasizes that violence should not exceed the bounds of necessity and that the treatment of prisoners and civilians must be humane.
    • URL: The Hague Convention (1907)
  6. Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998)
    • Article 7: Defines war crimes, including targeting civilians, using prohibited weapons, and committing atrocities.
    • Article 8: Defines crimes against humanity, including the persecution of people for reasons of religion, ethnicity, or nationality.
    • Connection to Islamic Law: Like Quran 9:5, which allows fighting only against those who initiate hostilities, the Rome Statute criminalizes unlawful actions against non-combatants and protects civilians during conflict.
    • URL: Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
  7. The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Doctrine
    • Principle: Governments have the responsibility to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. If they fail, the international community has the duty to intervene.
    • Connection to Islamic Law: The concept of protection and ensuring the safety of civilians in wartime aligns with Quran 9:6, which instructs that those who seek protection should be granted it, and their safety should be prioritized.
    • URL: Responsibility to Protect (R2P)
  8. Prohibition of Killing Non-Combatants and Innocents in Islam
    • 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.”
    • Connection to Modern Law: This is in line with international laws, such as the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit harming civilians or non-combatants in war. It emphasizes justice and righteousness toward those who are not involved in hostilities.
    • URL: Quran 60:8
  9. Quran 2:190: “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.”
    • Connection to Modern Law: The principle of proportionality and only fighting those who initiate hostilities is deeply embedded in Islamic law, which is consistent with modern international laws like the UN Charter, which permits fighting in self-defense and prohibits unprovoked aggression.
    • URL: Quran 2:190
  10. Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Protecting Women and Children in War
    • Hadith: “Do not kill women or children or non-combatants.” (Sahih Muslim)
    • Connection to Modern Law: This aligns with international laws such as the Geneva Conventions, which specifically prohibit the targeting of civilians, particularly women and children, during armed conflict. Modern laws have become stricter regarding civilian protection in war, in contrast to the historical precedent where civilians were often caught in the crossfire.
    • URL: Sahih Muslim 1744b
Modern Law: Likely Inspired by Islamic Principles

It is clear from the comparisons above that many modern laws related to war, civilian protection, self-defense, and human rights closely mirror the teachings of Islamic law. Some of these principles, such as the prohibition of killing non-combatants, the protection of civilians, and the allowance for self-defense only in response to aggression, seem remarkably similar to the guidelines set in Islamic texts, In fact, many modern international laws, including the Geneva Conventions, United Nations Charter, and various human rights conventions, show significant resemblance to Islamic legal principles. Islamic law, as revealed in the Qur’an and Hadith, has long provided guidance on the humane treatment of prisoners, protection of women and children in war, and the ethical use of force. The four-month grace period given in Quran 9:5 for enemies to reconsider their hostile actions also showcases a compassionate approach to conflict, offering them a chance to repent, unlike modern laws, which tend to focus on a much quicker resolution, Given this, it can be argued that modern laws might have been inspired by the ethical and humane guidelines laid out in Islamic teachings, even if they do not explicitly acknowledge their origin. In many ways, Islamic law was ahead of its time, offering nuanced, comprehensive solutions for peace and justice that modern international law is still striving to implement today.

Additional Information

We believe in a holistic approach to understanding the Qur’an. Our article delves into the comprehensive context of Qur’an verse 9:5 within its chapter. Rather than isolating one verse from a hundred, we emphasize the significance of reading the Qur’an within its complete context. If you have any questions or feedback, we welcome you to connect with us through email. Your contributions are invaluable to us, and we appreciate any insights that can enhance the accuracy and depth of our articles.

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