Home > Surah 9 - The Repentance
This verse defines the permanent legal and social status of Christians and Jews within an Islamic state.
Surah 9:29:
Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day... from those who were given the Scripture until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.
This verse establishes the doctrine of Dhimmitude. It commands war against Christians and Jews not for defense, but to force them into a state of social and legal inferiority.
The phrase wa-hum sāghirūn ("while they are humbled/subdued") indicates that they must be treated as second-class citizens.
This is a direct reversal of the earlier Medinan verses that spoke of Christians as the "nearest in affection."