TRANSLATION
Why do you disagree among yourselves about the hypocrites? God has made them to return to disbelief as a consequence of what they have done. Do you wish to guide them when God has left them in their evil state? Whoever God leaves in such a state, you cannot find a way out for them. They wish that you also disbelieved just like they did and become the same as them. Do not take them as allies until they leave their homes to exert themselves in God’s way. But if they revert back to hostility, then resist them and overpower them wherever you engage them in battle, and seek no friend or helper from among them, except those who join a tribe or a group with whom you are bound by an agreement or those who come to you in despair after fighting you or their own people. But know that if God made them stronger, they would have continued to fight you. Therefore, if they disengage, do not fight you anymore, and offer to have peace with you, then God leaves you no choice but to accept peace.263
You will also find others who wish to be secure from you and from their own people, but whenever they find opportunities for mischief, they plunge right into it. Therefore, if they do not withdraw from such mischief, do not show restraint from fighting you, and do not offer peace to you, then continue to fight them and overpower them wherever you engage them. God gives you a clear authority [to exert] against such people!
INTERPRETATION
263. The discussion about hypocrites and people who were prone to disbelieve and hostility against the emerging group of faithful is continued in these verses. People who believe in God, in truth, and in justice should be clear about their relationship with those who disbelieve, commit evil acts, and engage in hostility. Such people deserve to be fought against with vigor and sustained commitment and without being softened by their treacherous behaviors. But if they offer genuine peace and a strong desire to withdraw from all hostilities, then establishing peace is the proper course of action. God allows no other option under such context.
REFLECTION
Gaining consensus against evil; committing to struggle (and fight) to preserve peace, justice, and truth; and building unity and exercising patience in the face of aggression and fighting are fundamental obligations that we all need to exercise to build and preserve societies on a foundation of peace and justice. God’s directive is very clear, and our obligations are made equally unambiguous.
ACTION
Seeking peace and establishing peace are paramount in our lives, and we need to find ways to reach peace and extend peace at every opportunity, but it is equally important to restrain those who are inclined to mischief and evil and engage in hostilities against peaceful people and fight them in return to ensure peace and stability in society.