At-Tawba (The Repentance)

12. “But if they break their oaths after their covenant and revile your religion, then fight the leaders of infidelity. Verily there is no oath for them, so that they may desist.”

Once Ali-ibn-Abi Tālib (as) was asked why the fugitives of the Battle of Seffin were persued, but in the Battle of Camel the fugitives were left free.

He (as) said that in Seffin the leader of infidelity was alive and the fugitives would gather around him. And, after being formed, they might attack. But in the Battle of Camel, where their leader was killed, there was not any pivot around which they could be formed and organized again.

Imam Sadiq (as) said:

“Whoever makes sarcastic remarks to your religion, he will surely become infidel.” Then he (as) recited this verse.1

Explanations

1. Since the origin of perjury and deriding the religion is often from the side of the chiefs of infidelity, then struggle hard against them. The verse says:

“But if they break their oaths after their covenant and revile your religion, then fight the leaders of infidelity…”

2. The Islamic Holy Struggle is for the defend of the religion. The verse says:

“…they break their oath… and revile your religion, then fight…”

3. Apostasy is one of the kinds of perjury and deriding the religion.

4 . Oppose seriously against those who blaspheme.

5 . When striving for the religion, make inquires of the chiefs of plotters, the central office of commanders, and organization, and destroy them.

“…the leaders of infidelity…”

6. Not any oath should beguile you; the oaths of the breachers of covenant are invalid. The verse says:

“…Verily there is no oath for them…”

7. The aim of the Islamic Holy Struggle is to prevent the enemy’s plot. The verse says:

“…so that they may desist.”