One is elevated by the condition implied, which is explained by the apparent meaning. Its estimation is: And if one seeks your protection, let him seek your protection, and it does not rise by the beginning, because 'if' is one of the factors of the verb and does not enter upon anything else. The meaning is: And if one of the polytheists comes to you after the months have passed, with no covenant between you and him and no pact, seeking your protection to hear what you call to regarding monotheism and the Qur'an, and to clarify what you were sent for, then grant him safety until he hears the words of Allah and contemplates it, and learns the truth of the matter. Then convey to him after that the place where he can be safe if he does not convert. Then fight him if you wish, without treachery or betrayal, and this ruling is established at all times. And from Al-Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him: It is a ruling until the Day of Resurrection. And from Sa'id ibn Jubair: A man from the polytheists came to Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, and said: If one of us wants to come to Muhammad after the expiration of this term to hear the words of Allah, or comes to him for a need, will he be killed? He said: No, because Allah, the Exalted, says: 'And if one of the polytheists seeks your protection...' And from Al-Suddi and Al-Dahhak, may Allah be pleased with them: It is abrogated by His saying: 'Then kill the polytheists.' That is, that matter, meaning the matter of granting protection in His saying: 'Then grant him protection.' Because they are a people ignorant of what Islam is and the reality of what you call to, it is necessary to grant them safety until they hear and understand the truth.