The second is the specific sense: jihad. This is like His saying:

“Charitable offerings are only for the poor, the needy, and those employed to administer them ... and in the cause of Allah.” [al-Tawbah 9:60]

The way is attributed both to Allah and to the believers. Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“Whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows a path other than that of the believers...” [al-Nisāʾ 4:115]

And Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“Charitable offerings are only for the poor and the needy...” up to His saying, “and in the cause of Allah.” [al-Tawbah 9:60]

How, then, are these two attributions to be reconciled?

The answer is that its attribution to Allah means that it leads to Allah: whoever follows this way will be brought to Allah. It is also attributed to Him because He ordained it for His servants; it begins with Him and ends with Him.

As for its attribution to the believers, it is because it is the path they follow. Thus, it becomes clear that there is no contradiction between the two attributions.

They are volunteer fighters who are not registered on the military payroll.

His statement, “They are the fighters”: this is the plural of a fighter, and it is the first condition.

His statement, “volunteers”: this excludes those who are not volunteers, and it is the second condition.

His statement, “who are not registered on the military payroll”: that is, they have no allotted share from the public treasury for their fighting. Rather, they serve voluntarily. This is the third condition.

Such people are given assistance both to meet their needs and because they are needed; they are given whatever is sufficient for their jihad.

This is the meaning of His saying:

“And in the cause of Allah.”

Thus, the author takes this locative phrase as referring to the combatant, rather than to the path itself. According to the author’s interpretation, the verse means: “those who fight in the cause of Allah.”