As for initiating hostilities against them when they are not obstructing the spread and establishment of Allah’s religion, or for killing those of them who do not take up arms, this is aggression that Allah and His Messenger have prohibited. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (1), may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Allah has allowed the taking of life only to the degree needed for the welfare of His creatures, as He said: ‘Persecution is worse than killing’ (Quran 2:191). That is, although killing contains evil and corruption, the persecution perpetrated by the unbelievers contains an even greater evil and corruption. Therefore, whoever does not prevent Muslims from establishing Allah’s religion, the harm of his disbelief falls upon none but himself.”