(July 15, 2011 at 2:52 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: Except this bit Spider Rayaan:
"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful" (Sura at Tawba 9:5).
If you read from the beginning of the same chapter (Surah At-Tauba), from the first verse to the fifth verse, you will know that there is a historical background to the verse that you quoted. It is speaking about an event that happened at a specific time and a specific place. Therefore, it is not a command which is to be applied for all times and all places.
In the first verse (Chapter 9), it says that there is a treaty between the Muslims and the Mushriks (or polytheists) of Mecca who used to persecute the Muslims. However, the precondition for the Muslims to engage in a war against them is only if they break the treaty. This is the reason why the verse was revealed to Muhammad - i.e. because it enabled the Muslims to defend themselves against the constant persecution from the hostile, pagan tribes of Mecca - which is, IF they attack first. So, the important thing is to look at the verses which comes before the specific verse that you quoted.
