How can one reconcile His saying, the Most High: "Except for those who repent before you apprehend them," with Al-Bukhari's Hadith concerning the man who uttered the declaration of faith after Usama had struck him, and Usama's Hadith: "Did you kill him after he had said it?" bearing in mind that it is permissible to kill combatants after apprehending them in war, even if they utter the declaration of faith?

The verse was revealed concerning Muslim combatants and highwaymen. If they repent before being apprehended, their repentance is accepted, and the rights of Allah fall away from them. However, the rights of individuals, regarding bloodshed or property, do not fall away.

As for a disbeliever who embraces Islam, his Islam absolutely protects his life and property. He is not included in the verse. The difference between the two cases is that a Muslim is bound by the rulings of Islam, and punishments and rights are applied to him, whereas a born disbeliever is encouraged to embrace Islam, and his life and property are protected by uttering the two testimonies of faith.