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fa-sīḥū fī l-ʾarḍi ʾarbaʿata ʾashhurin wa-ʿlamū ʾannakum ghayru muʿjizī llāhi wa-ʾanna llāha mukhzī l-kāfirīna
Travel [unmolested] in the land for four months, but know that you cannot frustrate Allah, and that Allah shall disgrace the faithless.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah At-Tawbah – Verse 2
2 . “So go about in the earth freely for four months, and know that you can not make futile Allah, and that Allah degrades the infidels.”
The Qur’ānic phrase: “So go about in the earth freely…” addresses the pagans of Mecca meaning that they could go about freely, and with peace of mind, in the land of Mecca and, being in easy circumstances. They were allowed to supply their necessities during that time when they were in security from the swords of the Muslims. Then, it continues saying: “…for four months…” which means when this time was ended and the pagans did not embrace Islam, the string of their covenant would be broken and the security of life and wealth would be removed from them.
That is, they should know that they could not escape from Allah, since wherever they might be they were under the Power and Command of Allah.
This part of the verse means that they should also know that Allah will bring disgrace to the unbelievers. Regarding the question that which months were the four months that Allah respited the pagans, most commentators have said that this time had been from the beginning of Shawwāl until the end of Muharram, because these verses were revealed in Shawwāl.