Ibn Kathir on Peace: Allah Forbids Muslims From Fighting Peaceful People

Ibn Kathir writes in his commentary of Surah An-Nisa:

Allah excluded some people from fighting:

 إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ إِلَى قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ مِّيثَـقٌ

Except those who join a group, between you and whom there is a treaty (4:90)

Meaning, except those who join and take refuge with a people with whom you have a pact of peace, or
people of protected status, then treat them as you treat the people with whom you have peace. This is the saying of As-Suddi, Ibn Zayd and Ibn Jarir.

In his Sahih, Al-Bukhari recorded the story of the treaty of Al-Hudaybiyyah, where it was mentioned that whoever liked to have peace with Quraysh and conduct a pact with them, then they were allowed. Those who liked to have peace with Muhammad and his Companions and enter a pact with them were allowed.

It was reported that Ibn Abbas said that this verse was later restricted [on account of their breaking this peace treaty] by Allah’s statement:

 فَإِذَا انسَلَخَ الأَشْهُرُ الْحُرُمُ فَاقْتُلُواْ الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ

Then when the Sacred Months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever you find them… (9:5)

Allah said:

 أَوْ جَآءُوكُمْ حَصِرَتْ صُدُورُهُمْ

Or those who approach you with their breasts restraining

This refers to another type of people covered by the exclusion from fighting. They are those who approach the Muslims with hesitation in their hearts because of their aversion to fighting the Muslims. They do not have the heart to fight with the Muslims against their own people. Therefore, they are neither with nor against Muslims.

 وَلَوْ شَآءَ اللَّهُ لَسَلَّطَهُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ فَلَقَـتَلُوكُمْ

Had Allah willed, indeed He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you.

This means it is from Allah’s mercy that He has stopped them from fighting you.

 فَإِنِ اعْتَزَلُوكُمْ فَلَمْ يُقَـتِلُوكُمْ وَأَلْقَوْاْ إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ

So, if they withdraw from you, and fight not against you, and offer you peace

Meaning, if they revert to peace, then:

 فَمَا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ سَبِيلاً

Allah has opened no way for you against them.

Meaning, you do not have the right to kill them as long as they take this position. This was the position of Banu Hashim [the tribe of the Prophet], such as Al-Abbas, who accompanied the idolaters in the battle of Badr, for they joined the battle with great hesitation. This is why the Prophet commanded that Al-Abbas not be killed, but only captured.

Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.