Questions / Violence and politics
Doesn't the Quran say “kill the unbelievers wherever you find them”?
This answer is a draft. It has not yet been reviewed by our scholars, and it may change.
The short answer
That line (9:5) is about a specific war with specific tribes in 7th-century Arabia who had broken their peace treaties. The verses around it exclude everyone who kept their treaty, and order Muslims to protect any enemy who asks for safety. Quoted alone, it loses the context that changes its meaning.
Read the whole passage
Verse 9:5 is often quoted on its own. But it sits in the middle of a passage (9:1–6) that is a declaration to particular tribes of Arabia who had signed peace treaties with the Muslims and then broken them.
Read with the verses around it, the picture changes completely:
- 9:4 makes an exception: those who kept their treaties and didn’t help anyone attack the Muslims must have their treaties honoured to the end of the term.
- 9:5 says that once the sacred months end, the Muslims may fight the tribes who broke their treaties.
- 9:6 says that if any of them asks for protection, it must be given, so they can hear God’s word, and then they must be escorted somewhere they are safe.
- 9:13 reminds the reader who started it: people who broke their oaths, plotted to drive out the Prophet ﷺ, and attacked first.
So the verse is about an army at war with treaty-breakers, not a general instruction about how to treat non-Muslims.
The Quran’s general rule
When the Quran speaks about fighting in general, it sets clear limits:
Fight in God’s cause those who fight you, but do not transgress. God does not love those who transgress. (meaning of 2:190)
God does not forbid you from being kind and fair to those who have not fought you over your religion or driven you out of your homes. (meaning of 60:8)
And it describes the value of a single human life in the strongest terms: killing one innocent person is like killing all of humanity, and saving one is like saving all of humanity (meaning of 5:32).
Context matters for every scripture
Many sacred texts, including the Hebrew Bible, contain passages about ancient wars. Reading any of them without their context gives a distorted picture. That’s true of the Quran too.
What about extremists who quote it?
Groups like ISIS quote 9:5 on its own for exactly that reason. Mainstream scholars around the world have rejected their reading. In 2014, more than 120 Muslim scholars signed an open letter to the leader of ISIS, explaining point by point how the group misuses the Quran and hadith.
Explain it to a friend
That verse is about a specific war 1,400 years ago against tribes who broke peace treaties. The verse right before it says to honour treaties with anyone who kept them, and the verse right after it says to protect any enemy who asks for safety. Quoting it alone is like quoting half a sentence.
Ayat referenced
بَرَآءَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتُّم مِّنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ١
9:1 Here is a disavowal (proclaimed) by Allah and His Messenger against the Mushriks (polytheists) with whom you have a treaty.
(اس سورت کے شروع میں بسم اللہ نہیں لکھی گئ اس کے مختلف اسباب بیان کئے گئے ہیں) صاف جواب ہے اللہ کی طرف سے اور اسکے رسول کی ان مشرکوں کو جن سے تمہارا عہد ہوا تھا 9:1
9:1 Freedom from obligation (is proclaimed) from Allah and His messenger toward those of the idolaters with whom ye made a treaty.
فَسِيحُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِى ٱللَّهِ ۙ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُخْزِى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ ٢
9:2 So, move in the land freely for four months, and be aware that you can never frustrate Allah, and that Allah is going to disgrace the disbelievers.
سو پھر لو اس ملک میں چار مہینے اور جان لو کہ تم نہ تھکا سکو گے اللہ کو اور یہ کہ اللہ رسوا کرنے والا ہے کافروں کو 9:2
9:2 Travel freely in the land four months, and know that ye cannot escape Allah and that Allah will confound the disbelievers (in His Guidance).
وَأَذَٰنٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَجِّ ٱلْأَكْبَرِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَرِىٓءٌ مِّنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ۙ وَرَسُولُهُۥ ۚ فَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِى ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ٣
9:3 And here is an announcement, from Allah and His Messenger, to the people on the day of the greater Hajj, that Allah is free from (any commitment to) the Mushriks, and so is His Messenger. Now, if you repent, it is good for you. And if you turn away, then be aware that you can never frustrate Allah. And give those who disbelieve the ‘good’ news of a painful punishment.
اور سنا دینا ہے اللہ کی طرف سے اور اس کے رسول کی لوگوں کو دن بڑے حج کے کہ اللہ الگ ہے مشرکوں سے اور اس کا رسول سو اگر تم توبہ کرو تو تمہارے لئے بہتر ہے اور اگر نہ مانو تو جان لو کہ تم ہرگز نہ تھکا سکو گے اللہ کو اور خوشخبری سنادے کافروں کو عذاب دردناک کی 9:3
9:3 And a proclamation from Allah and His messenger to all men on the day of the Greater Pilgrimage that Allah is free from obligation to the idolaters, and (so is) His messenger. So, if ye repent, it will be better for you; but if ye are averse, then know that ye cannot escape Allah. Give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom to those who disbelieve,
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتُّم مِّنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَنقُصُوكُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَمْ يُظَٰهِرُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ أَحَدًا فَأَتِمُّوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ عَهْدَهُمْ إِلَىٰ مُدَّتِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ٤
9:4 Except those of the Mushriks with whom you have a treaty, and they were not deficient (in fulfilling the treaty) with you, and did not back up any one against you. So fulfill the treaty with them up to their term. Surely, Allah loves the God-fearing.
مگر جن مشرکوں سے تم نے عہد کیا تھا پھر انہوں نے کچھ قصور نہ کیا تمہارے ساتھ اور مدد نہ کی تمہارے مقابلہ میں کسی کی سو ان سے پورا کر دو ان کا عہد ان کے وعدہ تک بیشک اللہ کو پسند ہیں احتیاط والے 9:4
9:4 Excepting those of the idolaters with whom ye (Muslims) have a treaty, and who have since abated nothing of your right nor have supported anyone against you. (As for these), fulfil their treaty to them till their term. Lo! Allah loveth those who keep their duty (unto Him).
فَإِذَا ٱنسَلَخَ ٱلْأَشْهُرُ ٱلْحُرُمُ فَٱقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ وَخُذُوهُمْ وَٱحْصُرُوهُمْ وَٱقْعُدُوا۟ لَهُمْ كُلَّ مَرْصَدٍ ۚ فَإِن تَابُوا۟ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَخَلُّوا۟ سَبِيلَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ٥
9:5 So, when the sacred months expire, kill the Mushriks wherever you find them, and catch them and besiege them and sit in ambush for them everywhere. Then, if they repent and establish Salāh and pay Zakāh, leave their way. Surely, Allah is most Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
پھر جب گذر جائیں مہینے پناہ کے تو مارو مشرکوں کو جہاں پاؤ اور پکڑو اور گھیرو اور بیٹھو ہر جگہ ان کی تاک میں پھر اگر وہ توبہ کریں اور قائم رکھیں نماز اور دیا کریں زکوٰۃ تو چھوڑ دو ان کا رستہ بیشک اللہ ہے بخشنے والا مہربان 9:5
9:5 Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِّنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ٱسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسْمَعَ كَلَٰمَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُۥ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْلَمُونَ ٦
9:6 And if any one of the Mushriks seeks your protection, give him protection until he listens to the Word of Allah, then let him reach his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.
اور اگر کوئی مشرک تجھ سے پناہ مانگے تو اس کو پنادہ دیدے یاں تک کہ وہ سن لے کلام اللہ کا پھر پہنچا دے اسکو اسکی امن کی جگہ یہ اس واسطے کہ وہ لوگ علم نہیں رکھتے 9:6
9:6 And if anyone of the idolaters seeketh thy protection (O Muhammad), then protect him so that he may hear the Word of Allah, and afterward convey him to his place of safety. That is because they are a folk who know not.
أَلَا تُقَٰتِلُونَ قَوْمًا نَّكَثُوٓا۟ أَيْمَٰنَهُمْ وَهَمُّوا۟ بِإِخْرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۚ أَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ ۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَوْهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ١٣
9:13 Would you not fight a people who broke their oaths and conspired to expel the Messenger, and it was they who started (fighting) against you for the first time? Do you fear them? But Allah has greater right that you fear Him, if you are believers.
کیا نہیں لڑتے ایسے لوگوں سے جو توڑیں اپنی قسمیں اور فکر میں رہیں کہ رسول کو نکال دیں اور انہوں نے پہلے چھیڑ کی تم سے کیا تم ان سے ڈرتے ہو سو اللہ کا ڈر چاہئے تم کو زیادہ اگر تم ایمان رکھتے ہو 9:13
9:13 Will ye not fight a folk who broke their solemn pledges, and purposed to drive out the messenger and did attack you first? What! Fear ye them? Now Allah hath more right that ye should fear Him, if ye are believers
وَقَٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقَٰتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُعْتَدِينَ ١٩٠
2:190 Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight you, and do not transgress. Verily, Allah does not like the transgressors.
اور لڑو اللہ کی راہ میں ان لگوں سے جو لڑتے ہیں تم سے اور کسی پر زیادتی مت کرو بیشک اللہ تعالیٰ ناپسند کرتا ہے زیادتی کرنے والوں کو 2:190
2:190 Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors.
لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَٰرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ ٨
60:8 Allah does not forbid you as regards those who did not fight you on account of faith, and did not expel you from your homes, that you do good to them, and deal justly with them. Surely Allah loves those who maintain justice.
اللہ تم کو منع نہیں کرتا اُن لوگوں سے جو لڑے نہیں تم سے دین پر اور نکالا نہیں تم کو تمہارےگھروں سے کہ اُن سے کرو بھلائی اور انصاف کا سلوک بیشک اللہ چاہتا ہے انصاف والوں کو 60:8
60:8 Allah forbiddeth you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loveth the just dealers.
مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنَّهُۥ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًۢا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ أَحْيَا ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَمُسْرِفُونَ ٣٢
5:32 For this reason, We decreed for the children of Isrā’īl that whoever kills a person not in retaliation for a person killed, nor (as a punishment) for spreading disorder on the earth, is as if he has killed the whole of humankind, and whoever saves the life of a person is as if he has saved the life of the whole of humankind. Certainly, Our messengers have come to them with clear signs. Then, after all that, many of them are there to commit excesses on the earth.
اسی سبب سے لکھا ہم نے بنی اسرائیل پر کہ جو کوئی قتل کرے ایک جان کو بلاعوض جان کے یا بغیر فساد کرنے کے ملک میں تو گویا قتل کر ڈالا اس نے سب لوگوں کو اور جس نے زندہ رکھا ایک جان کو تو گویا زندہ کر دیا سب لوگوں کو اور لا چکے ہیں انکے پاس رسول ہمارے کھلے ہوئے حکم پھر بہت لوگ ان میں سے اس پر بھی ملک میں دست درازی کرتے ہیں 5:32
5:32 For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), but afterwards lo! many of them became prodigals in the earth.