ɐ sˈɛkənd ɪntˌɜːpɹɪtˈeɪʃən lˈɪmɪts ðɪ ˌæplɪkˈeɪʃən ʌv ðɪs vˈɜːs tə ðə kˈɑːntɛkst ʌvðə tˈæbʌk ˌɛkspədˈɪʃən wˌɪtʃ wʌzɐ sˈɛlfdᵻfˈɛns mˌoʊbɪləzˈeɪʃən baɪ ðə pɹˈɑːfɪt məhˈæmɪd ɪn ɹᵻspˈɑːns tə ɹˈuːmɚz əvə pətˈɛnʃəl ɐtˈæk baɪ ðə bˈɪzɐntˌiːn ˈɛmpaɪɚ; ðˈɛɹfoːɹ, ˈoʊnli ðə bᵻlˈɪdʒɚɹənt bˈɪzɐntˌiːnz ɔːɹ ˈʌðɚz hˌuː ˈækt ɪn sˈɪmɪlɚɹ ɐɡɹˈɛʃən ɐɡˈɛnst ðə mˈʊzlɪmz ɑːɹ ðə tˈɑːɹɡɪts ʌv ðɪs vˈɜːs.
A second interpretation limits the application of this verse to the context of the Tabuk expedition which was a self-defence mobilisation by the Prophet Muhammad in response to rumours of a potential attack by the Byzantine Empire; therefore, only the belligerent Byzantines or others who act in similar aggression against the Muslims are the targets of this verse.