and ask Allah for what is yours.

The Prophet’s words, “They were governed by the prophets,” show that Allah’s religion—Islam, valid in every place and every age—is the only sound and beneficial polity; it is not the brand of politics imposed by the enemies of Islam among the unbelievers.

Genuine politics is precisely what has come in Allah’s revealed law. Hence we say that Islam is both law and governance, and whoever separates politics from the Sacred Law has gone astray. Within Islam there is governance of the servant’s relationship with Allah, a clarification of acts of worship, and regulation of a person’s dealings with his household, his neighbors, his relatives, his friends, his students, his teachers—indeed with everyone. There is also guidance for dealing with unbelieving enemies, whether combatants, treaty-bound, visitors under safe-conduct, or permanent non-Muslim subjects (dhimmis).

For every category Islam has spelled out their rights and commanded us to act toward them as required. Thus, combatants are fought: their blood, wealth, and land are lawful to us.

Those granted safe-conduct must be protected, as Allah, exalted is He, says: “If any of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the word of Allah, and then escort him to a place of safety” (al-Tawbah 9:6).

Those with whom we have a treaty must have their treaty honored; after that, one of three situations obtains: we may feel secure toward them, we may fear betrayal from them, or they may actually break the treaty.

All three cases are detailed in the Quran. If we feel secure, we must fulfill the treaty; if we fear betrayal, Allah the Exalted says, “If you fear betrayal from a people, then cast the treaty back to them in an even manner, for Allah does not love the treacherous” (al-Anfal 8:58)—that is, say to them, “There is no…"