Tafsir Ibn Kathir -> Surah Al-Anfal -> The Command to Facilitate Peace when the Enemy seeks a Peaceful Resolution

Allah says, if you fear betrayal from a clan of people, then sever the peace treaty with them, so that you both are on equal terms. If they continue being hostile and opposing you, then fight them,

﴿وَإِن جَنَحُواْ﴾

(But if they incline), and seek,

﴿لِلسَّلْمِ﴾

(to peace), if they resort to reconciliation, and seek a treaty of non-hostility,

﴿فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا﴾

(you also incline to it), and accept offers of peace from them. This is why when the pagans inclined to peace in the year of Hudaybiyah and sought cessation of hostilities for nine years, between them and the Messenger of Allah he accepted this from them, as well as, accepting other terms of peace they brought forth. `Abdullah bin Al-Imam Ahmad recorded that `Ali bin Abi Talib said that the Messenger of Allah said,

«إِنَّهُ سَيَكُونُ بَعْدِي اخْتِلَافٌ أَوْ أَمْرٌ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ يَكُونَ السِّلْمَ فَافْعَل»

(There will be disputes after me, so if you have a way to end them in peace, then do so.)

Allah said next,

﴿وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ﴾

(and trust in Allah. ) Allah says, conduct a peace treaty with those who incline to peace, and trust in Allah. Verily, Allah will suffice for you and aid you even if they resort to peace as a trick, so that they gather and reorganize their forces,

﴿فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ اللَّهُ﴾

(then verily, Allah is All-Sufficient for you).