The main clause of the sentence ‘kill the polytheists’ is singled out by some Western scholars to represent the Islamic attitude to war even some Muslims take this view and allege that this verse abrogated other verses on war.

Even with such an enemy Muslims were not simply ordered to pounce on them and reciprocate by breaking the treaty themselves instead, an ultimatum was issued, giving the enemy notice, that after the four sacred months mentioned in 9:5 above, the Muslims would wage war on them. “It was these hardened polytheists in Arabia, who would accept nothing other than the expulsion of the Muslims or their reversion to paganism, and who repeatedly broke their treaties, that the Muslims were ordered to treat in the same way – to fight them or expel them. According to the great Islamic scholar Abdel-Haleem, The first portion of this verse is often used by critics and anti-Muslim exegetes as evidence that Islam is inherently violent, intolerant, and uncivilized as a religion: “Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captive, and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush,” however, the truth of the matter is that these verses relate to a specific and particular event in human history – namely the Arabian pagans who would repeatedly break their treatises, lied about their agreements with the Muslims, started hostilities with neighboring tribes, barred and expelled Muslims from their own homes. “But if they repent and establish regular prayer and establish regular charity, then open the way for them. “Therein they will hear no abusive speech, nor any talk of sin, only the saying, “Peace, Peace.” The Sword Verse The Muslim Holy Book admits that most of those who will be resurrected, judged, and admitted into the Gates of Paradise will be either Muslims, Jews, Christians, individuals who hold certain precepts as sacred, and members of certain other religions this multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith paradise is described as superabundant, luxuriant, and verdant, with flowing rivers and a cornucopia of delights.

The Noble Qur’an was first revealed to the Honorable Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) during a time when the neighboring Byzantine and Iranian Empires were at war, which is an indicator that the Qur’an speaks of peace as a primary concern. The Noble Qur’an, in particular, has verses that address war and violence, in addition to verses that address peace and love. In contemporary debates dealing with the subject of religion and violence, it is especially imperative for the followers of the three major faiths – Islam, Judaism, and Christianity – to know their Holy Scriptures.

The Noble Qur'an by Anonymous