Muhammad was only sent to fight the pagan Arabs until they became Muslims, and Jews and Christians are not considered idolaters.

The claim that Muhammad was only sent to fight pagan Arabs ignores the broader implications of the term 'mushrik.' In Islamic theology, a mushrik is someone who commits the sin of shirk, which involves associating partners with Allah. This definition extends beyond just paganism to include any belief that contradicts the oneness of God, such as the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Therefore, the Quran's categorization of Jews and Christians as idolaters is based on their perceived association of divinity with beings other than Allah. Furthermore, the Quran explicitly states that those who ascribe divinity to anything besides God are impure and should not approach the sacred places. This indicates that the fight against idolaters includes those who hold beliefs contrary to the strict monotheism taught in Islam. The verses in the Quran that address this issue highlight the seriousness with which Islam views any form of polytheism or partnership with God. In addition, the argument that Muhammad's mission was limited to pagan Arabs fails to consider the universal nature of his message. The call to worship one God and reject all forms of idolatry is a central theme in Islam, which applies to all people, not just those in Arabia. This universality is reflected in the Quran's directives to engage with all who do not adhere to the teachings of Islam, regardless of their background. Thus, the assertion that Jews and Christians are exempt from being labeled as idolaters is not supported by Islamic texts.