With (fair words from) their mouths they entice you...

With (fair words from) their mouths they entice you, but their hearts are averse from you; and most of them are rebellious and wicked.» (9:8) It tells us that, if they find the opportunity, they observe no promise or treaty, and whatever they say comes only from their tongues, while their hearts are in opposition. So, these verses are not as unconditional as had been previously thought.

What they actually say is that, on sensing danger from the enemy, for us to fold our arms and delay would be a mistake. Thus we must not think that these verses are completely out of accord with the other verses and they should not be considered as abrogators. This is the first reason why these verses are not abrogative.

B- No Generality without an Exception The second reason was given by the ulama’ of usul ul-fiqh - and if I can explain it to you, then the meaning concerning this verse will become clear. The ulama’ say: “Maa min 'amman illa waqad khussa” “There is no generality that is without an exception.” And this is absolutely right. We are told to fast, but we are excused if we are travelling, or too sick (according to what is appropriate in the rulings).

There are similarly generalities that have no exceptions. There are some generalities that really have no exceptions and admit none. So, even this very rule has exceptions. The point of this is that some issues refuse to be abrogated, refuse all exceptions. The tone of these generalities is that they can admit no exceptions. For example, in the Qur’an we are told: «… if ye are grateful, He is pleased with you.» (39:7) This verse does not admit any exceptions.

It is not possible that there will come a time when a person will be sincerely grateful to God, and God will not be pleased. No. This is not something that in certain circumstances will be any different, unless that person becomes ungrateful. Similarly, concerning abrogation, some verses are such that fundamentally abrogation is not applicable to them, because the meaning of abrogation is that the abrogated order was a temporary order. This means that certain things do not admit being temporary.

If they be, they must always be. Why? Now, I will give you an example. For example, let's take the verse of the Qur’an which tells us: « …do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.» (2:190) This has a generality in regard to individuals and continuity in regard to time. Is it possible for us to maintain exceptions to this generality?