and you as well from that.

Third: “When he makes a covenant, he betrays it.” That is, whenever such a person gives his word about anything, he acts treacherously and breaks it. This applies both to covenants with unbelievers and to agreements with fellow Muslims that he later violates.

Regarding treaties with the disbelievers: if we agree with them to suspend warfare for a fixed term—just as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, concluded with Quraysh at the Truce of al-Hudaybiyyah to cease hostilities for ten years—then, in relation to these polytheists, three scenarios arise:

1. They invalidate the treaty. In that event, the pact between us and them is void, as Allah says, “But if they break their oaths after having made a treaty with you and attack your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief—for indeed they have no oaths—so that they might desist” ⦗Qur’an 9:12⦘. This is precisely what Quraysh did with the treaty they had made with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, at al-Hudaybiyyah; fewer than eight years had passed before they broke it by aiding their allies against the allies of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

2. They honor the treaty. In this case we are obliged to honor it as well and remain bound until the term expires, for Allah says, “So long as they keep to the treaty with you, keep to it with them. Indeed, Allah loves the God-fearing” ⦗Qur’an 9:7⦘.

3. We fear that they may break the treaty—that is, they have not yet broken it, but neither have they shown full adherence, and we suspect treachery. Here we openly repudiate the treaty, declaring plainly, “There is no covenant between us and you.” The proof is the Almighty’s words, “And if