2. Surah al-Baqara, Medina 87
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
الشَّهْرُ
الْحَرَامُ
بِالشَّهْرِ
الْحَرَامِ
وَالْحُرُمَاتُ
قِصَاصٌ...
2: 194. The prohibited month for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality.
C209. Haram: prohibited, sacred.
The month of Pilgrimage (Dhu al Hajja) was a sacred month, in which warfare was prohibited by Arab custom. The month preceding (Dhu al Qadah) and the month following (Muharram) were included in the prohibition, and Muharram was specially called al-Haram.
Possibly Muharram is meant in the first line, and the other months and other prohibited things in "all things prohibited".
In Rajab, also, war was prohibited.
If the pagan enemies of Islam broke that custom and made war in the prohibited months, the Muslims were free also to break that custom but only to the same extent as the other broke it.
Similarly the territory of Makkah was sacred, in which war was prohibited. If the enemies of Islam broke that custom, the Muslims were free to do so to that extent. Any convention is useless if one party does not respect it.
There must be a law of equality. Or perhaps the word reciprocity may express it better.
... فَمَنِ اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ فَاعْتَدُواْ عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ ...
If then anyone transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him.
... وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٩٤﴾
But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.
C210. At the same time the Muslims are commanded to exercise self-restraint as much as possible.
Force is a dangerous weapon. It may have to be used for self-defence or self-preservation, but we must always remember that self-restraint is pleasing in the eyes of Allah. Even when we are fighting, it should be for a principle, not out of passion.
2: 194
Asad Fight during the sacred months if you are attacked: for a violation of sanctity is [subject to the law of ] just retribution. Thus, if anyone commits aggression against you, attack him just as the has attacked you – but remain conscious of God, and know that God is with those who are conscious of Him.
Pickthall The forbidden month for the forbidden month, and forbidden things in retaliation. And one who attack you, attack him like manner as he attacked you. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is with those who ward off (evil).
Transliteration Asy syahrul hara_mu bisy syahril hara_mi wal huruma_tu qisa_s(un), fa mani'tada_ 'alaikum fa'tadu_ 'alaihi bi misli ma'tada_ 'alaikum, wattaqulla_ha wa'lamu_ annalla_ha ma'al muttaqin(a).
[ Ali’s notes: 209 Haram - prohibited, sacred. The month of Pilgrimage (Zul-hajj) was a sacred month, in which warfare was prohibited by Arab custom. The month preceding (Zul-qad) and the month following (Muharram) were included in the prohibition, and Muharram was specially called al-Haram. Possibly Muharram is meant in the first line, and the other months and other prohibited things in "all things prohibited". In Rajab, also, war was prohibited. If the pagan enemies of Islam broke that custom and made war in the prohibited months, the Muslims were free also to break that custom but only to the same extent as the other broke it. Similarly the territory of Mecca was sacred, in which war was prohibited. If the enemies of Islam broke that custom, the Muslims were free to do so to that extent. Any convention is useless if one party does not respect it. There must be a law of equality. Or perhaps the word reciprocity may express it better. (2.194)
210 At the same time the Muslims are commanded to exercise self-restraint as much as possible. Force is a dangerous weapon. It may have to be used for self-defence or self-preservation, but we must always remember that self-restraint is pleasing in the eyes of God. Even when we are fighting, it should be for a principle, not out of passion. (2.194) ]
[Asad’s note 171 – This is the free rendering of the phrase “the sacred month for the sacred month”, which is interpreted by all commentators in the sense given above. The “sacred months” during which, according to ancient Arab custom, all fighting was deemed utterly wrong, were the first, seventh, eleventh and twelfth months of the lunar calendar.
note 172 – Thus, although the believers are enjoined to fight back …………..they must, when fighting, abstain from all atrocities, including the killing of non-combatants. ]