The pagan Arabs knew that in the prohibited months (i. e. ZELGHAADEH - ZELHAJJEH - MOHARRAM and RAJAB) warfare was prohibited by Islam; so they decided to lie in ambush in one of those months, to make a surprise attack on Muslims.

      They also might have thought; if they violated the sanctity of the sacred months, Muslims won't do that, and they could win a battle with them.

      In fact any convention is useless if one party does not respect it, and therefore there must be a law of reciprocity with mutual understanding and acceptance. So if the Pagan enemies of Islam broke the custom and law, and violated the sanctity of the sacred things, then Muslims were compelled to do so to that extent, and hence the verse:

      ``The prohibited months for the prohibited months, and so it is for all sacred things for which there must be a law of equality and retaliation.'' Then the verse signifies a general instruction that: ``Whoever transgresses against you; you also may transgress likewise against him.''

      Islam's teaching about revenge is different to that of Christianity, which says: ``You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, but now I tell you, if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too!'' MATTHEW - 5: 38

      Islam has not given such that instruction about revenge, for being evident, that it may serve to increase the boldness and obstinacy of the wrong doer and the transgressor. Even the Christians of to-day's world, do not follow the instruction, and respond harshly to the least transgresses and aggressions.

      Islam's logical doctrine declares: ``Yielding to aggressors is yielding to death, and that resisting them equals to life.''

      As for the clause: ``Allah is with the God-fearing.'' It may mean that, Allah will not leave the pious alone and unhelped, in difficulties and troubles.