Quran Verse: Fight Until Everyone Converts?!

01 December, 2017
Q Assalamu Alaikum brother/sister, My question is concerning surah al-Anfal, verse 39 where it says: Yusuf Ali translation: And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do. Here's an interpretation which made me confused because I read a translation of Muhsin Khan that says " And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshiping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allah Alone [in the whole of the world]. But if they cease (worshiping others besides Allah), then certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what they do." What I would like to know is what is the meaning of 'religion will be all for Allah Alone etc'? Is it saying, as Non-Muslims accuse, to kill unbelievers until they accept Islam, or does it mean to open the way for Islam to be preached and spread wide? Is it a literal meaning? What does fitna mean? Don't get me wrong I have no doubts on the Quran but I need to have a better understanding so I can answer my non-Muslim friends. There is so much anti-Islamic propaganda that we, Muslims, need to be educated, and also it helps us too. Jazak Allah Khair.


Short Answer: Of course we are not supposed to fight people until they convert. The problem is a misunderstanding of the Arabic which has led to faulty translation, specifically regarding the words “deen” and “fitnah.” On deeper examination, it becomes clear that God has made forced conversion forbidden and that a Muslim is supposed to enforce God’s system which allows freedom of religion, and defend themselves and others against oppressors who persecute people to remove their fitnah and so that the deen of Allah, which grants freedom of religion would prevail.

Salam Dear Rashid,

Thank you for your questions and for contacting Ask About Islam.

First, we have to set clear definitions for the words “deen” and “Fitnah.”

Deen means a whole way of life which includes religion, law, manners, and so on.

The accurate translation is not religion but rather system or way.

For example, Allah the Almighty said in the Quran what means:

He could not have taken his brother according to the king’s law unless Allah willed. (Quran 12:76)

The word “King’s law” is “deen al-malik” in Arabic. Therefore, the word deen means law or ruling system in this verse.

Fitnah means oppression in religion, or persecution as mentioned in the Quran:


Context of this Verse

Getting back to the question about the meaning of “and all the religion becomes for Allah,” if we read the verses of the Quran in which this statement was mentioned within the context, then we have to go back a few verses before and consider the few verses after, as well.

We will find that it comes as follows in Surat Al-Baqarah:

Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Surely! Allah loves not aggressors. And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution (fitnah) is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers. But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. And fight them until persecution (fitnah) is no more, and religion (deen) is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrong-doers. (Quran 2:190-193)

Freedom of Religion

It is well-known that Islam grants freedom of religion as mentioned in the following verses:

Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error. (Quran 2:256)


And say: The truth is from your Lord, so let him who please believe, and let him who please disbelieve. (Quran 18:29)


Therefore, the deen, or way, or law, or system of Allah is that no one will be persecuted for his or her religion, which is exactly the opposite of fitnah, or oppression in religion or persecution.

And from the context of the verses 190-193 in the chapter of Al-Baqarah, we can see that Muslims are told to fight back those who fight them and drive them out of their homes which is fitnah or persecution.

Therefore, we can say that Muslims are encouraged to defend themselves against oppressors who persecute people to remove their fitnah and so that the deen of Allah, which grants freedom of religion would prevail.

I hope this answers your questions. Please keep in touch.


(From AboutIslam’s archives)

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