Explanation of the author's statement: And his saying: (So if they stand firm for you, then stand firm for them. Indeed, Allah loves those who fear Him)
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The Shaykh : Allah the Exalted says: [At-Tawbah 9:7].
is a conditional particle, the verb of the condition is , and its response is . This means that however long the treaty partners who made a treaty with you at the Sacred Mosque remain firm for you, you must remain firm for them in that. This conditional sentence implies by its explicit wording that if they remain firm for us, it is obligatory for us to remain firm for them and to fulfill our covenant with them. It indicates by its implied meaning that if they do not remain firm, we do not remain firm for them. [Al-Baqarah 2:191] Do you understand? The treaty partners are divided into three categories:
One category: They remained firm on their covenant and we felt safe from them. So what is obligatory for us? To remain firm for them in kind.
One category: They betrayed and broke the covenant. These people have no covenant. Yes,[At-Tawbah 9:12].
A third category: They show firmness to us, but we fear their betrayal. That is, there are indications that they intend to betray. Regarding these, Allah said:[Al-Anfal 8:58]. Do not start fighting them, but do not leave them either. Cast the covenant to them, throw it to them, and say: There is no covenant between us and you. Do you understand? Is this justice or not? It is justice. If someone asks: How do you cast the covenant to them when they are treaty partners? We say: Because of the fear of what? Betrayal. We do not feel safe from them now; perhaps one day they will attack us. So we cast the covenant to them on equal terms and do not betray them as long as the covenant is in effect. It is not permissible for us to betray them. If the Muslims said: We fear their betrayal, so we will preempt them with fighting, we say: This is forbidden. Do not fight them until you cast the covenant to them, so that you are on equal terms regarding the absence of a covenant. Good.
He says:[At-Tawbah 9:7] Who are the righteous? They are those who took protection from the punishment of Allah by doing His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. This is among the best and most comprehensive things said about taqwa (mindfulness of Allah).
So as long as they are upright toward you, be upright toward them. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].
فَمَا اسْتَقَامُوا لَكُمْ فَاسْتَقِيمُوا لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَnot
ماstand firm
اسْتَقَامُواthen stand firm
فَاسْتَقِيمُواBut if they fight you, then kill them
إن قاتلوكم فاقتلوهمOne category: They remained firm on their covenant and we felt safe from them. So what is obligatory for us? To remain firm for them in kind.
One category: They betrayed and broke the covenant. These people have no covenant. Yes,
then fight the leaders of disbelief, for indeed, there are no oaths [sacred] to them; [fight them that] they might cease.
فَقَاتِلُوا أَئِمَّةَ الْكُفْرِ إِنَّهُمْ لا أَيْمَانَ لَهُمْ لعلهم ينتهونA third category: They show firmness to us, but we fear their betrayal. That is, there are indications that they intend to betray. Regarding these, Allah said:
If you [have reason to] fear from a people betrayal, throw [their treaty] back to them, [putting you] on equal terms
وَإِمَّا تَخَافَنَّ مِنْ قَوْمٍ خِيَانَةً فَانْبِذْ إِلَيْهِمْ عَلَى سَوَاءٍHe says: