Thus, any individual is capable of bringing together these two qualities. Many gentle-natured souls incline to shunning sins yet shrink from striving, while stronger souls may rush to jihad without first abandoning sin. The bond of loyalty, however, is reserved for whoever unites both traits; such people are, in truth, the community of Muhammad.
Allah Most High says:
“Your guardian is only Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe—those who establish prayer and give zakah while humbly bowing. Whoever allies himself with Allah, His Messenger, and the believers, then surely the party of Allah will be the victors.”
[al-Mā’idah 55–56]
Similar passages recur throughout the Qur’an: the Exalted commands loyalty to the true believers—His party and His soldiers—and declares that these do not take the unbelievers as allies or show them affection. Although loyalty and affection are matters of the heart, outward dissociation greatly helps in severing ties with, and keeping distinct from, the unbelievers.
(1) Manuscript J reads the single word idha (“if”), whereas manuscript D has idha kana kathiran (“if it is plentiful”).
(2) The printed edition gives: ʿaqada Allah (“Allah bound”).
(3) The printed edition reads: jamaʿa bayna (“combined”).
(4) The printed text omits the word haqiqa (“in reality”) and then inserts: salla Allahu ʿalayhi wa ʿala alihi wa sallam alladhina amanu bihi imanan sadiqan (may Allah bless him and his family—and those who believed in him with sincere faith). This departs from all the manuscript witnesses.
(5) Qur’an, Surah al-Maʾidah, verses 55–56.
(6) Manuscript B has the term al-muwalat (loyalty) without the preceding conjunction wa (“and”).
(7) That is, in practical conduct—such as dress, food and drink, and the performance of certain acts of worship and rituals.
(8) The printed edition adds: “ … is easier for the believers than boycotting and separating from the unbelievers.” End quote. I regard this as an editorial intrusion, for it contradicts all the manuscripts, which unanimously preserve the wording translated above.