The Qur'an commands Muslims to stick up for themselves in a defensive battle -i.e.
if an enemy army attacks, then Muslims are to fight against that army until they stop their aggression.
All of the verses that speak about fighting/war in the Qur'an are in
this context. There are some specific verses that are very often
"snipped" out of context, either by those trying to malign the faith,
or by misguided Muslims themselves who wish to justify their aggressive
tactics.
For example, one verse (in its snipped version) reads: "slay them wherever you catch them" (Qur'an 2:191).
But who is this referring to? Who are "they" that this verse discusses?
The preceding and following verses give the correct context:
"Fight in the cause of God
those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not
transgressors. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out
from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are
worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless
they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is
the reward of those who suppress faith. But if they cease, God is
Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more
tumult or oppression, and there prevails justice and faith in God; but
if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practise
oppression"
(2:190193).
It is clear from the context that these verses are discussing a
defensive war, when a Muslim community is attacked without reason,
oppressed and prevented from practicing their faith. In these
circumstances, permission is given to fight back — but even then
Muslims are instructed not to transgress limits, and to cease fighting
as soon as the attacker gives up. Even in these circumstances, Muslim
are only to fight directly against those who are attacking them, not
innocent bystanders or non-combatants.
Another similar verse can be found in chapter out of context version
could read: "fight and them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie
(of war)." Again, the preceding and following 9, verse 5 — which in its
snipped, slay the pagans wherever ye find in wait for them in every
stratagem verses give the context.
This verse was revealed during a historical period when the small
Muslim community had entered into treaties with neighboring tribes
(Jewish, Christian, and pagan). Several of the pagan tribes had
violated the terms of their treaty, secretly aiding an enemy attack
against the Muslim community. The verse directly before this one
instructs the Muslims to continue to honor treaties with anyone who has
not since betrayed them, because fulfilling agreements is considered a
righteous action. Then the verse continues, that those who have
violated the terms of the treaty have declared war, so fight them… (as
quoted above).
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