Many of the revelations in the Holy Quran came down to provide guidance to Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and his fellow Muslims based on what they were confronting at that time, including verse 8:12.
This verse - along with several ahead of it - were revealed in reference to the Battle of Badr, the first major battle between the muslims and the Meccan pagans around 625 C.E. The pagans of Makkah traveled to Madinah with an army of about 1000, following the prophet (pbuh) once he had fled to Madinah. After the muslims had suffered severe persecutions and torture for 13 years in the city of Makkah they had found a sanctuary in Madinah, they were once again threatened.
The verse speaks about what God told the angels to say to the believers, in order to inspire them before the battle. The Muslims were very fearful, especially since the Meccan army was three times their size, very experienced in battle, and much better equipped. So, God gave the order to Muslims to fight to defend their lives and faith, not to murder every non-believer they might come across. …show more content…
For example, muslims are forbidden to kill children, women or those who don’t pose an immediate threat. If the enemy decides to call for a treaty, muslims are ordered to accept it and incline towards peace (8:61). Muslims are ordered in the Quran to wage war with those who have fought them for religion or have driven them out of their homes, but if not, Muslims must treat them kindly and justly (60:8-9). Once a war is over, Muslims are even directs believers to set free those who are captured, either “by an act of grace or against ransom,”
This verse - along with several ahead of it - were revealed in reference to the Battle of Badr, the first major battle between the muslims and the Meccan pagans around 625 C.E. The pagans of Makkah traveled to Madinah with an army of about 1000, following the prophet (pbuh) once he had fled to Madinah. After the muslims had suffered severe persecutions and torture for 13 years in the city of Makkah they had found a sanctuary in Madinah, they were once again threatened.
The verse speaks about what God told the angels to say to the believers, in order to inspire them before the battle. The Muslims were very fearful, especially since the Meccan army was three times their size, very experienced in battle, and much better equipped. So, God gave the order to Muslims to fight to defend their lives and faith, not to murder every non-believer they might come across. …show more content…
For example, muslims are forbidden to kill children, women or those who don’t pose an immediate threat. If the enemy decides to call for a treaty, muslims are ordered to accept it and incline towards peace (8:61). Muslims are ordered in the Quran to wage war with those who have fought them for religion or have driven them out of their homes, but if not, Muslims must treat them kindly and justly (60:8-9). Once a war is over, Muslims are even directs believers to set free those who are captured, either “by an act of grace or against ransom,”