—“Fight those who do not believe in Allah or the Last Day, who do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and who do not follow the religion of truth, from among the People of the Book, until they pay the jizya directly, in humbled submission.” (9:29)

If there were only one verse that deserved to be called “the verse of the sword,” there would be no reason to regard this verse as more deserving of that title than the other.

But if he claims, “It is every verse that mentions jihad,” we answer: Jihad was legislated in successive stages. The first thing Allah Most High revealed on the matter was the permission embodied in His words:

“Permission is granted to those who are being fought, because they have been wronged, and Allah is surely able to grant them victory.” (22:39)

More than one scholar has stated that this is the very first verse revealed concerning jihad. Thereafter the obligation was revealed in the words:

“Fighting has been prescribed for you…” (2:216).