The War Verses Aren’t About Protecting Islam — They’re About Defending Freedom of All Faiths
By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam
15 April, 2025
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Introduction
The so-called "war verses" in the Quran have been grossly misinterpreted to suggest that Islam is at war with non-believers. In reality, these verses are not about fighting to protect Islam but about fighting to protect freedom — freedom of faith for all people, regardless of belief. The Quran’s war injunctions are aimed at defending the oppressed, ending tyranny, and ensuring that no one is forced to abandon their faith under threat. This article sets the record straight and reveals the Quran’s true stance on warfare, one grounded in justice, not religious conquest.
The Real Meaning of Kafir
A crucial misunderstanding lies in the translation of the term Kafir (plural Kafirun). Many have wrongly equated Kafir with "disbeliever" or "polytheist," but the Quran uses this term differently. Kafir refers to those who actively reject, oppose, and persecute the faith, often in an attempt to suppress the truth and oppress others.
In contrast, those who merely detest the message or reject it passively are referred to as Mushrikun (polytheists), not Kafirun. The Quran draws a sharp distinction between these groups.
For instance, consider verse 9:32:
“They want to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the Kafirun may detest it.”
(Quran 9:32)
Here, Kafirun refers to those actively fighting to suppress the light of truth — the enemies of freedom and justice. These are the individuals the Quran speaks against, not those who merely hold different beliefs.
By contrast, in the very next verse 9:33, the Quran speaks of the Mushrikun, who simply dislike monotheism but aren’t engaged in violent opposition:
“It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religions, even though the Mushrikun may detest it.”
(Quran 9:33)
These are passive detesters, not active enemies of freedom.
The True Purpose of Fighting: Defending the Oppressed
The Quran’s injunctions regarding fighting are tied not to defending a religion or imposing belief, but to ending oppression. The key verses, such as 22:39-40, make this point crystal clear:
“To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged… (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right, for no cause except that they say, ‘Our Lord is Allah.’”
(Quran 22:39-40)
The Quran grants permission to fight only in response to persecution — specifically when people are wronged and oppressed for their beliefs. This fighting is not about punishing disbelievers but about liberating the oppressed and safeguarding places of worship for all religions: churches, synagogues, monasteries, and mosques alike.
Fighting for Justice, Not Religion
The Quran consistently stresses that fighting is only justified to end oppression and persecution. It is not about spreading Islam or forcing conversion. In verses like 2:191-193 and 8:36-39, the Quran urges Muslims to fight against oppression and for justice:
“Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.”
(Quran 2:190)
“And fight them on until there is no more fitna (oppression) and there prevails the law of Allah.”
(Quran 8:39)
Here, Fitnah (oppression) is the true target, not unbelief. Fighting continues until the oppression ceases and justice is established. The Quran’s command is for freedom — the freedom to practice one's faith without coercion or persecution.
Who Are the Oppressors?
The Quran makes it clear that oppression is the real enemy. It does not command Muslims to fight people based on their religion; it commands fighting against those who persecute others for their faith, whether those persecutors are Muslim or non-Muslim. The key principle here is the defence of freedom, justice, and the rights of the oppressed:
“And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and for those who, being weak, are ill-treated and oppressed—men, women, and children, whose cry is: ‘Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors!’”
(Quran 4:75)
Fighting, according to the Quran, is always in defence of the oppressed, regardless of their religious affiliation. The moral imperative is to defend human rights and dignity, not to expand religious influence.
Correcting the Misunderstanding of War Verses
The greatest misconception lies in the mistranslation of the word Kafir. Many translations wrongly render Kafir as "disbeliever," distorting the Quran’s meaning. The truth is, the Quran speaks of Kafirun as those who engage in active opposition and persecution, not people who simply reject the faith.
For example, in 8:36, the Quran refers to Kafaru as those who spend their wealth to hinder others from the path of Allah — this is oppression, not just disbelief. Similarly, in verse 8:39, the Quran speaks of fighting until oppression ceases, not until everyone converts to Islam.
The Call to Peace
The Quran’s true stance is clear: fighting is only justifiable when it is necessary to end oppression, and peace is preferred whenever possible. The Quran itself commands:
“But if the enemy inclines towards peace, do you also incline towards peace, and trust in Allah.”
(Quran 8:61)
The moment peace is offered, the cause for fighting is nullified. This underscores that warfare in the Quran is not about enforcing belief but about halting oppression and preserving justice.
A Universal Call for Justice
When understood properly, the Quran’s war verses are a universal call to fight against oppression — not against a particular group of people. The Quran’s message transcends religious boundaries; it is a call to all people, regardless of belief, to join in the fight for justice and against tyranny.
As the Quran says in 4:74-75:
“And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and for those who, being weak, are ill-treated and oppressed—men, women, and children, whose cry is: ‘Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors!’”
This is not a call to arms against a particular faith but against those who oppress and persecute others.
Faith Is Not the Issue
The Quran emphasizes that faith is a personal choice. Belief is not to be forced upon anyone, as verse 2:256 states:
“Let there be no compulsion in religion.”
(Quran 2:256)
Faith is not an issue even for those who call themselves Muslim, but following the Quran’s moral imperatives is important, as verse 49:14 states:
"The desert Arabs say, "We believe." Say, "Ye have no faith; but ye (only)say, ´We have submitted our wills to Allah, ´ For not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’"
Thus, submission to moral imperatives, rather than forced belief, is what the Quran demands.
The Quran's moral teachings call for justice, compassion, and the rejection of tyranny — principles that are universally applicable, transcending religious divides.
Conclusion
The so-called war verses in the Quran are not about defending Islam as a religion. They are about defending freedom of faith and justice for all. The Quran’s injunctions to fight are always in defence of the oppressed — not to convert or coerce belief. The message is universal: fight for justice, protect freedom, and oppose all forms of oppression, regardless of the victim's faith.
The Quran’s moral imperatives are not exclusive to Muslims but are a call to all people to unite against tyranny and defend the rights of the oppressed. When correctly understood and translated, the war verses offer a timeless moral framework, advocating for peace, freedom, and justice for everyone.
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A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/debating-islam/war-verses-protecting-defending-freedom-faiths/d/135170
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