2.193 – Fight them until (there) is no persecution and the religion is God’s

This verse commands the reader or listener to fight, similar to verse 190. The fighters and enemies seem to be the same as in verses 190 to 192 (those who “believe” and those who fight against them), but the scope of fighting is now extended “until (there) is no persecution and the religion is Allah’s.” This reaches well beyond defensive fighting to fighting to remove all obstacles to the messenger’s religion.

Commands to fight and kill in the Quran are relevant to non-Muslims for a number of important reasons. First of all, some Muslims may understand non-Muslims to be the target of the commands. Second, the commands affect the possibility of peaceful coexistence in today’s world. Third, if the commands are followed by the expression “in the way of Allah,” they make claims about God that non-Muslims might dispute. For these reasons, each remaining command to fight or kill will be carefully observed in these notes for justifications, identity of fighters and enemies, and extent of hostilities.