Transliteration:( Wa in nakasooo aimaanahum mim ba'di 'ahdihim wa ta'anoo fee deenikum faqaatilooo a'immatal kufri innahum laaa aimaana lahum la'allahum yantahoon )
"If they break their oaths after their agreement and openly taunt at your religion [26], then fight with the leaders of infidelity. Indeed, their oaths are nothing [27]. Thus, they may desist."
This verse refers to treaty-breaking disbelievers who not only violate their agreements but also begin to openly mock or insult Islam. In an Islamic state, if a non-Muslim citizen (dhimmi) begins to disrespect the Prophet ﷺ or publicly attack Islamic teachings, this is considered a breach of the protection contract. Such behavior revokes their protected status and makes them liable for punishment, including the death penalty, as maintaining respect for Islamic values is a condition of their residency and safety.
The command to fight the leaders of disbelief arises not from a desire to annihilate all disbelievers, but to neutralize the leadership that is instigating hostility, breaking treaties, and leading attacks against Islam. Their oaths are worthless, and peace cannot be established with such unreliable enemies.
This verse teaches that the primary aim of Jihād is not to force conversion, but to break the oppressive power structures that challenge Islamic governance and spread enmity. When these leaders are subdued, the threat to Muslims is removed, and it may lead to desistance and peace.
12. But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and attack your religion with disapproval and criticism, then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief — for surely, their oaths are nothing to them — so that they may stop (evil actions).
Allah says, if the idolators with whom you conducted peace treaties for an appointed term break
(their oaths) meaning, terms of their treaties, and covenants
(and attack your religion…) with disapproval and criticism, it is because of this that one who curses the Messenger, peace be upon him, or attacks the religion of Islam by way of criticism and disapproval, they are to be fought. This is why Allah said afterwards,
(then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief — for surely, their oaths are nothing to them — so that they may stop.) so that they may refrain from the disbelief, rebellion and the transgression they indulge in. Qatadah and others said that the leaders of disbelief were Abu Jahl, `Utbah and Shaybah, Umayyah bin Khalaf, and he went on to mention several others. Al-A`mash narrated from Zayd bin Wahb from Hudhayfah; “The people of this Ayah were never fought again.” A similar statement was reported from `Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. However, this Ayah is general, even though the specific reason behind revealing it was the idolators of Quraysh. So this Ayah generally applies to them and others as well, Allah knows best. Al-Walid bin Muslim said that Safwan bin `Amr narrated that `Abdur-Rahman bin Jubayr bin Nufayr said that when Abu Bakr sent an army to Ash-Sham, he advised them, “You will find some people with shaved heads. Therefore, strike the swords upon the parts that contain the devil, for by Allah, it is better to me to kill one of these people than to kill seventy other men. This is because Allah said,
(then fight (you) against the leaders of disbelief.)” Ibn Abi Hatim collected it.
(9:12) But if they break their pledges after making them and attack your faith, make war on the leaders of unbelief that they may desist, for they have no regard for their pledged words.[15]
15. In the context, the words, oaths, and compacts mean the compact of the acceptance of Islam. Therefore, the question of making a new compact with them does not arise. As regards the old pacts, they had already broken all of them. It is on account of this that the declaration of immunity (from obligations) by Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) has been clearly made. It has also been stated that such people are not worthy of any treaty and they can only be let off if they repent of their disbelief and shirk and establish Salat and pay Zakat dues. This verse states clearly how the renegades should be treated. As a matter of fact, this verse forestalled the mischief of apostasy that broke out a year and a half after its revelation and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) followed the guidance given in this verse to crush it.
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