Are we supposed to wage war against the Ahl al-Kitab?
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Peace all,
In a debate with a Christian (buzsaw) who said that the Qur'an urges Muslims to wage war against Jews and Christians, my opponent cite the verses 929--33 as proof of this.
929--33 "Make war upon such of those to whom the Scriptures have been given as believe not in God, or in the Last Day, and who forbid not that which God and His Apostle have forbidden, and who profess not the profession of the truth, until they pay tribute out of hand, and they be humbled. The Jews say, "Ezra is a son of God"; and the Christians say, "The Messiah is a son of God." Such the sayings in their mouths! They resemble the saying of the infidels of old! God do battle with them! How are they misguided? They take their teachers, and their monks, and the Messiah, son of Mary, for lords besides God, though bidden to worship one God only. There is no God but He! Far from His glory be what they associate with Him! Fain would they put out God's light with their mouths but God only desireth to perfect His light, albeit the infidels abhor it. He it is who hath sent His Apostle with the guidance and a religion of the truth, that He may make it victorious over every other religion, albeit they who assign partners to God be averse from it.
I checked other translations and the verse 929 seems to be an explicit command to fight disbelievers and Ahl al-Kitab until they surrender and pay tribute. What do you think about those verses, is it really like what my opponent said, a command to wage war against them? Please let me know your answer so I could respond to him appropriately, and without rejecting that verse.
Thanks in advance.