First: The believer should not fear the disbelievers and hypocrites, for they will not harm him if he is rightly guided.

Second: He should neither grieve over them nor be distressed on their account, for their sins will not harm him if he is rightly guided. Grieving over what cannot harm one is futile. Both these meanings are mentioned in His words:

“Be patient, for your patience is only through Allah. Do not grieve over them, nor be distressed by their plots.”

Third: He should not incline towards them or look longingly at the power, wealth, and pleasures they have been given, as He says:

“Do not look longingly at what We have given some of them to enjoy, nor grieve over them.”

Thus, in one verse He forbade grieving over them and desiring what they possess, while in another He forbade grieving over them and fearing them. A person may suffer distress both on their account and because of them, whether through desire or fear.

Fourth: He should not transgress against those who commit sins by exceeding the prescribed bounds in hating them, censuring them, forbidding their wrongdoing, shunning them, or punishing them. Rather, anyone who transgresses against them should be told: “Take care of yourself; those who go astray will not harm you if you are rightly guided.” As He said:

“Do not let hatred of a people lead you…”—to the end of the verse.

He also said:

“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not love transgressors.”

And He said:

“But if they cease, then let there be no hostility except against the wrongdoers.”

For many of those who enjoin right and forbid wrong may overstep