I’m not backed into a corner. Sura 9:1-5 clearly shows what the sacred months are. 9:36 shows we are not to fight during the 4 sacred months, which is why 9:1-5 says to wait 4 months, which are stated as the Sacred months. Then, the very next verse, 9:37 says that those who alternate the 4 sacred months is a sign of excessive disbelief. I’m using the Quran, the proven word of GOD that we KNOW came from the prophet. You are using ‘possible’ sayings of the prophet through third, fourth, and fifth party information. It is hearsay. It is rumors. Yet, you are using these ‘long standing scholarly opinions and beliefs’ as correct, which, by default, you are saying the Quran, the Word of GOD, is NOT correct. I beg to differ.
There is a reason why GOD says in the Quran to look at things in light of the Quran and things will become clear. It does not say to look at the Quran in light of Bukhari (not a messenger of GOD) hadiths. Clearly, the Quran takes precedence. Obviously, you feel otherwise. … Remember, history books are always written by the victors, and guess what?! The victors always depict themselves as the ones who are ‘right’. The bottom line is do you trust Word of GOD (Quran), or the words of men (Bukhari hadiths). It is as simple as that.