This qualified verse governs the unqualified verse in Surah al-Anfāl for three reasons.

First: This verse, in Surah al-Ahzāb, came after the Battle of the Trench, whereas the verse in Surah al-Anfāl came immediately after Badr.

Second: These are unqualified and qualified formulations concerning the same ruling and the same cause. The ruling here entails permissibility, entitlement, prohibition for others, and an obligation to hand over what is due.

Third: The verse in Surah al-Anfāl mentions this greater claim after also severing ties of allegiance between believers and disbelievers; it therefore provides a second proof. These two verses explain the unqualified wording in the verse on inheritance. This is thus an instance of explaining the Quran by the Quran, although the Prophet’s statement,

“A disbeliever does not inherit from a Muslim,”

also accords with it. As for a Muslim inheriting from a disbeliever, there is an anomalous dissenting opinion on this matter. Here too, we draw evidence from the two verses together with the hadith. The two verses also encompass all other forms of legal authority concerning marriage, property, blood-money obligations, and matters relating to death. His words,

“though you may still show kindness to your allies,”

provide evidence for bequests, as do the verses in Surah al-Nisā’.

The verse in which He says,

“So when Zayd had ended his marriage to her, We gave her to you in marriage, so that there would be no restriction on the believers concerning the wives of their adopted sons,”

demonstrates that what was made lawful for him was lawful for his community. For He states that this marriage was intended to spare the community any restriction concerning such marriages. If his performing an act made lawful for him did not imply its permissibility for his community, this explanation would not be sound. This is evident.