That is, you cannot escape Him. Rather, you are in His grasp, and He is able to give His believing servants power over you. “And give the disbelievers tidings of a painful punishment”—that is, one both painful and dreadful: in this world through killing, captivity, and banishment, and in the Hereafter through the Fire. What a wretched resting place!

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(4) “Except those among the polytheists with whom you made a treaty and who thereafter have not failed you in any respect or supported anyone against you. Fulfill your treaty with them until the end of its term. Indeed, Allah loves those who fear Him.”

That is, this complete and unconditional disassociation applies to all polytheists except “those among the polytheists with whom you made a treaty” and who remained faithful to their treaty, having done nothing to warrant its revocation. They neither failed you in any respect nor assisted anyone against you. You must therefore fulfill your covenant with them (1) until the end of its term, whether that term is short or long, for Islam does not command treachery; rather, it commands faithfulness.

“Indeed, Allah loves those who fear Him”—those who carried out what they were commanded to do and guarded themselves against polytheism, treachery, and other sins.