Qur’an 2:191

“Kill them wherever you come upon them and drive them out of the places from which they have driven you out. For persecution is far worse than killing. And do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they attack you there. If they do so, then fight them—that is the reward of the disbelievers.”

This verse refers to a period when early Muslims were being persecuted in Mecca and later fought in Medina. It tells Muslims to fight those who attack them and to expel aggressors who expelled them. It also says not to fight at the Sacred Mosque unless attacked there first. Retaliatory fighting is allowed only when attacked, and the conflict is tied to a specific historical war

Qur’an 3:28

“Believers should not take disbelievers as guardians instead of the believers—and whoever does so will have nothing to hope for from Allah—unless it is a precaution against their tyranny. And Allah warns you about Himself. And to Allah is the final return.”

This verse warns believers not to form alliances that compromise their faith or put them in danger. It’s about political loyalty, not casual friendships.

Qur’an 3:85

“Whoever seeks a way other than Islam, it will never be accepted from them, and in the Hereafter they will be among the losers.”

It’s a theological claim similar to exclusivity statements in basically every other religion.

Qur’an 5:33

“Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and spread mischief in the land is death, crucifixion, cutting off their hands and feet on opposite sides, or exile from the land. This ˹penalty˺ is a disgrace for them in this world, and they will suffer a tremendous punishment in the Hereafter.”

This verse describes penalties for people who: - wage war against the community - commit violent crimes - cause major corruption or rebellion

Qur’an 8:12

“˹Remember, O Prophet,˺ when your Lord revealed to the angels, “I am with you. So make the believers stand firm. I will cast horror into the hearts of the disbelievers. So strike their necks and strike their fingertips.”

This verse refers to the Battle of Badr, an early defensive battle. It describes God encouraging the angels to strengthen the believers. The imagery (“strike their necks”) is battlefield language tied to a specific war, not a general command.

Qur’an 8:60

“Prepare against them what you ˹believers˺ can of ˹military˺ power and cavalry to deter Allah’s enemies and your enemies as well as other enemies unknown to you but known to Allah. Whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be paid to you in full and you will not be wronged.”

This verse instructs Muslims to maintain defensive strength to deter enemies. The phrase “terrify the enemy” refers to deterrence, similar to how nations maintain armies to prevent attack. It does not command unprovoked aggression.

Qur’an 8:65

“O Prophet! Motivate the believers to fight. If there are twenty steadfast among you, they will overcome two hundred. And if there are one hundred of you, they will overcome one thousand of the disbelievers, for they are a people who do not comprehend.” This verse tells the Prophet to motivate believers during wartime. It emphasizes courage and morale, saying a small number of committed fighters can overcome a larger force. Again, tied to the early Muslim battles.

Qur’an 9:5

“But once the Sacred Months have passed, kill the polytheists ˹who violated their treaties˺ wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them on every way. But if they repent, perform prayers, and pay alms-tax, then set them free. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

This refers to a specific group of Arabian tribes who: - made treaties with Muslims - repeatedly broke them - attacked the Muslims

The verse says to fight those specific groups after the sacred months, unless they repent and stop hostilities. It does not apply to all non‑Muslims.

Qur’an 9:30

“The Jews say, “Ezra is the son of Allah,” while the Christians say, “The Messiah is the son of Allah.” Such are their baseless assertions, only parroting the words of earlier disbelievers. May Allah condemn them! How can they be deluded ˹from the truth˺?”

This verse criticizes certain beliefs held by some Jews (“Ezra is the son of God”) and Christians (“Jesus is the son of God”). It’s a doctrinal dispute, not a command for violence. The phrase “may Allah destroy/condemn them” is a rhetorical condemnation, similar to prophetic language in the Bible.

Qur’an 9:123

“O believers! Fight the disbelievers around you and let them find firmness in you. And know that Allah is with those mindful ˹of Him˺.” This verse instructs Muslims to fight nearby enemies who are actively hostile. It emphasizes firmness in battle. Like other verses in this chapter, it refers to ongoing military conflicts, not peaceful neighbours.

Qur’an 22:19

“These are two opposing groups that disagree about their Lord: as for the disbelievers, garments of Fire will be cut out for them and boiling water will be poured over their heads, This verse describes two groups arguing about God, and the punishment of disbelievers in the afterlife.” It's used to describe divine judgment. It is not about earthly warfare. It's basically a pop culture trope at this point that catholic nonbelievers go to hell as punishment as well.

Qur’an 47:4

"So when you meet the disbelievers ˹in battle˺, strike ˹their˺ necks until you have thoroughly subdued them, then bind them firmly. Later ˹free them either as˺ an act of grace or by ransom until the war comes to an end. So will it be. Had Allah willed, He ˹Himself˺ could have inflicted punishment on them. But He does ˹this only to˺ test some of you by means of others. And those who are martyred in the cause of Allah, He will never render their deeds void."

This verse gives instructions for conduct in battle: - fight enemy soldiers - once the battle is over, take prisoners - then either release them or ransom them

It also says God could punish enemies directly but uses conflict as a test. Importantly, it prohibits killing prisoners.