{ This is because those who have disbelieved have followed after futility, and because those who have believed have followed the truth from their Lord; thus Allah puts forth to people their parables. So whenever you face those who have disbelieved, strike the necks until you have thoroughly brought them down; and tighten the shackles. Afterwards either an act of kindness or ransom, until the war puts down its burdens. Such it is; and if Allah had willed, He would have avenged Himself of them, but rather that some of you might put others of you to the test. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah – their deeds will not be in vain } Muhammad 3-4

The word of the Most High { Strike the necks } : an urging; the meaning is: Kill them; since the most likely location to kill is to decapitate [darb al-'unuq, striking the neck]. { Until you have thoroughly brought them down } : that is, until you have made ample killing among them … The word of the Most High: { Until the war puts down its burdens } ; Ibn ‘Abbas said: Until none of the Idolaters are left. Mujahid said: Until there is no religion but the religion of Islam. Sa’id ibn Jubair said: Until the Messiah comes. Al-Farra said: Until only Muslims and peaceable people remain. Regarding the meaning of these words there are two points of view; one of them is: Until those waging war have put down their weapons. … The second is: Until your waging of war and fighting have put down the burdens of the Idolaters and the abominations of their deeds, by them yielding into Islam and worshipping only Allah. Al-Wahidi mentioned this.