people apply this verse where it does not belong. For He, glorified be He, says:

“If two groups of believers fight, make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, fight the transgressing group until it returns to Allah’s command. If it returns, make peace between them with justice and act equitably. Indeed, Allah loves those who act equitably.”
[Surah al-Hujurāt 9]

He did not authorize fighting between believers in the first place. Rather, if they fight, make peace between them. Such fighting is civil strife, even though one group may be closer to the truth. He, glorified be He, therefore commanded reconciliation in such circumstances.

This is also what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did when Banū ʿAmr ibn ʿAwf fought among themselves: he went out to reconcile them and told Bilāl, “If the time for prayer comes, have Abū Bakr lead.”

Then He, glorified be He, says:

“Fight the transgressing group until it returns to Allah’s command.”
[Surah al-Hujurāt 9]

Thus, after they have fought, if a just reconciliation is attempted but one group refuses to accept justice and instead transgresses, that group is to be fought. Fighting it in this case averts fighting that would be more grievous. For if it is not fought until it returns to Allah’s command, but is instead left to fight the other group, the resulting harm would be greater.

The Sharia is founded on averting the greater of two harms by accepting the lesser. In such circumstances, they are fought until there is no more strife and all religion is for Allah alone. For when they are commanded