"When the sacred months have passed." Al-Hasan said: This refers back to the story of the treaty-holders. The sacred months in this context are the months for which they were given a respite, ending with the last ten nights of the month of Rabi' al-Akhir. He called them sacred because He forbade fighting them during those months and made it prohibited.

"Then kill the polytheists wherever you find them, and capture them, and besiege them, and sit for them at every place of ambush," meaning: on every path, instructing you to fight them in both the profane and sacred lands, and near the House (the Kaaba).

Muhammad said: His saying "and capture them" means take them prisoner; one who is captured is called an "akhidh" (captive). The meaning of "and besiege them" is to detain them; "al-hasr" (the besieging) is detention.

"But if they repent," meaning: from polytheism, "and establish prayer and pay Zakat," meaning: acknowledge them, "then let them go on their way."