However...

However, He commands those who kept to their covenant to persevere and be steadfast in their commitments.

﴿ بَرَاءَةٌ مِنَ اللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى الَّذِينَ عَاهَدتُّم مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ \* فَسِيحُوا فِي الأَرْضِ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّكُمْ غَيْرُ مُعْجِزِي اللّهِ وَأَنَّ اللّهَ مُخْزِي الْكَافِرِينَ \*...\* إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ عَاهَدتُّم مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَنقُصُوكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَمْ يُظَاهِرُوا عَلَيْكُمْ أَحَدًا فَأَتِمُّوا إِلَيْهِمْ عَهْدَهُمْ إِلَى مُدَّتِهِمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴾ “(These verses are a declaration of) estrangement from Allah and his Messenger toward those of the idolaters with whom you made covenant.

Journey freely in the land for four months but know that you cannot disable Allah. Know that Allah debases the unbelievers… except those of the idolaters with whom you made covenant who then did not fail you in anything nor aided anyone against you. Fulfill your treaty with them to the end of their term. Verily Allah loves the righteous.” [^5] At the time, events had demeaned the idolaters and they had become humble before the magnificence of Islam.

Even so, the Prophet asked them to cancel the covenant if they feared betrayal; however, he commanded them to publicly announce their choice. When asked why he commanded thus, he stated: God does not like betrayal.[^6] [^1]: Sūrat al-Rūm 30:30. [^2]: Sūrat al-Tawbah (or Barā’ah) 9:33. [^3]: Sūrat al-Mu’minūn 23:90. [^4]: Sūrat al-Mu’minūn 23:71. [^5]: Sūrat al-Tawbah (or Barā’ah) 9:1-2, 4. [^6]: Extracted from the journal, “Kitāb-e Fasl”. Previous…

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