9 Sura , at-Tawbah ( The Repentance), Medina 113, Tabuk Expedition, 9 Hijra

This verse is in the context of a war in progress [see the previous verses]. During a period of recess or cessation of hostility, if one of the enemies seek asylum, the believers must give asylum and ensure his/her safety.

The Quranic Text and Ali’s translation: 

وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ ...

6.     If one amongst the pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him,

... فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ كَلاَمَ اللّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُ...

so that he may hear the word of God and then escort him to where he can be secure:

[1254. Ma'manah: place or opportunity of being secure from all harm.]

...ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لاَّ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٦﴾  

that is because they are men without knowledge.

Transliteration Wa in ahadum minal musyrikinastaja_raka fa ajirhu hatta_ yasma'a kala_malla_hi summa ablighu ma'manah(u_), za_lika bi annahum qaumul la_ ya'lamu_n(a).

Other translations

Asad

And if any of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God seeks thy protection, 10 grant him protection, so that he might [be able to] hear the word of God [from thee]; and thereupon convey him to a place where he can feel secure: 11 this, because they [may be] people who [sin only because they] do not know [the truth].

Pickthall

And if anyone of the idolaters seeks your protection (O Muhammad), then protect him so that he may hear the word of Allah; and afterward convey him to his place of safety. That is because they are a folk who know not.

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Asad’s comments:

10 Lit., "seeks to become thy neighbour": a metaphorical expression denoting a demand for protection, based on the ancient Arabian custom (strongly affirmed by Islam) of honouring and protecting a neighbour to the best of one's ability.

11 – Lit., “his place of security (ma’manahu) – i.e., “let him rejoin his homeland” (Razi), which implies that he is free to accept or not accept the message of the Quran: a further re-affirmation of the Quranic imjunction that “there is no coercion in matters of faith” (2:256).

Ali’s comments:

1253. Even among the enemies of Islam, actively fighting against Islam, there may be individuals who may be in a position to require protection. Full asylum is to be given to them, and opportunities provided for hearing the Word of Allah.

If they accept the Word, they become Muslims and brethren, and no further question arises. If they do not see their way to accept Islam, they will require double protection:

-        from the Islamic forces openly fighting against their people, and

-        from their own people, as they detached themselves from them.

Both kinds of protection should be ensured for them, and they should be safely escorted to a place where they can be safe. Such persons only err through ignorance, and there may be much good in them.