Yet even war with the Meccans and their allies was restricted by principles of proportionality: Fight those who fight you, but aggress not, verily God loves not the aggressors. And slay them wherever you find them, and drive them from whence they drove you, for strife is worse than killing… So fight them until there is no strife and religion is God’s alone. And if they desist, then let there be no attacks except upon the oppressors. (2:190–93)
