On Surah At-Tawbah 5: Apparent Contradiction and the Narrative of Context
On Surah At-Tawbah 5: Apparent Contradiction and the Narrative of Context Many verses in the Qur'an, especially those concerning war and peace, are at times misunderstood. One such verse is Surah At-Tawbah, verse 5. This verse is sometimes interpreted as “contradictory” or “paradoxical,” due to the statement “kill the polytheists” followed by “if they repent, then let them go their way.” Some argue that this presents a contradiction. However, such a perspective stems from an interpretation that disregards the broader context. To properly understand the verse, both its historical context and the Qur'an's general principles on warfare must be taken into account. The Translation of At-Tawbah 5 and Initial Impressions The verse reads: “And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every ambush. But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakat, then let them go their w...