and retributive punishment, if it is established that the victims were killed through corrupt, satanic states. For they are wrongdoers who merely exult in fulfilling their forbidden desires, just as oppressors vested with power exult.

Of this kind are the protectors of unbelievers, innovators, and wrongdoers. They may possess asceticism, devotion, and strength of resolve, as may polytheists and the People of the Book, and as did the Khārijites who departed from Islam, concerning whom the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“One of you would consider his prayer insignificant beside theirs, his fasting beside theirs, and his recitation beside theirs. They recite the Quran, but it does not go beyond their throats. They pass out of Islam as an arrow passes through its quarry. Wherever you encounter them, kill them, for whoever kills them will have a reward with Allah on the Day of Resurrection.”

Alongside this, they may possess inward states, just as they may possess outward power, for inward authority has the same significance as outward authority. Yet none can be among Allah’s allies except those who believe and are mindful of Him. Whatever they have done to assist oppression deserves punishment proportionate to their sin.

Possessing power and influence, inwardly or outwardly, does not necessarily entail being an ally of Allah Most High. Rather, an ally of Allah may possess power and authority, or he may be oppressed until Allah grants him victory; he may also be granted dominion until Allah exacts vengeance upon him. Thus, the inward protectors of the Tatars are of the same kind as the outward Tatars. The former occupy the same position among worshippers as the latter do among soldiers.