Spoils of War
IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE DISPENSER OF GRACE[8:56]
AS FOR THOSE with whom thou hast made a covenant, and who thereupon break their covenant on every occasion, not being conscious of God –

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* v.56 : Lit., “every time.” The covenants referred to are agreements between the Muslim community and non-Muslim political groups. Although this passage is addressed, in the first instance, to the Prophet, the “thou” relates here to every follower of the Qur’ān and, thus, to the Muslim community of all times. With the above verse, the discourse returns to the subject of war with unbelievers to which most of this sūrah is devoted. The reference to the unbelievers’ “breaking their covenants” has two implications: firstly, that the establishment of covenants (i.e., of peaceful relations) with non-Muslims is not only permissible but, in fact, desirable (cf. verse 61); and, secondly, that the Muslims may resort to war only if and when the other party is openly hostile to them.