Accordingly, in this verse they stand as two distinct categories, whereas in those other passages they represent a single category. The same is true of the word shirk (associating others with Allah) in His words: “The polytheists are indeed impure, so let them not approach the Sacred Mosque after this year of theirs” ⦗al-Tawbah: 28⦘. Under this wording every unbeliever—whether from the People of the Book or otherwise—falls, according to the majority of scholars, because the term appears here on its own, unrestricted. When, however, it is coupled with “the People of the Book,” the two become separate groups.

In Sahih Muslim it is narrated from Buraydah that whenever the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—dispatched a commander over a detachment or an army, he would give him particular instructions to fear Allah and to treat the Muslims under his command well. He would say: “Go forth in the name of Allah, in the cause of Allah. Fight those who disbelieve in Allah. March out, and do not embezzle from the spoils, do not act treacherously, do not mutilate, and do not kill a child. When you meet your enemy from among the polytheists, invite them to one of three options; if they respond to any of them, accept it from them and desist from fighting. First, invite them to Islam: if they accept, then accept it from them and desist. Next, invite them to migrate from their land to the land of the Emigrants, and inform them that if they do so they will enjoy the same rights and bear the same obligations as the Emigrants…"