to make peace encompasses both fighting groups without qualification (1). Thus, the Quran contains no command to fight the transgressing party (2) from the outset. Rather, He commanded that when two groups fight, peace be made between them, and that if one transgresses against the other once fighting has begun, it be fought until it returns. This applies when it does not agree to reconciliation between the two; otherwise, if (3) it agrees to reconciliation, it is not to be fought. If it had been fought and then returned to reconciliation, it would no longer be fought, for Allah Most High says:

“Then fight the transgressing group until it returns to Allah’s command. If it returns, make peace between them with justice and act equitably. Allah surely loves those who act equitably.”

He thus commanded that, after it had been fought until it returned, peace be made between them with justice and equity be observed.

This is not what occurs in fighting amid civil strife. This may be because Allah did not command fighting from the outset. Rather, He commanded that if they fought and one transgressed against the other, the transgressing group be fought. The verse may constitute a command (4) both to bring about reconciliation (5) and to fight the transgressing party; He did not command either one independently of the other. A group may have been transgressing from the outset, but once it transgressed, fighting it was commanded. At that point, however, the one fighting it was unable to do so because he lacked supporters or for some other reason. He may initially be incapable of fighting the transgressing group, or incapable of waging a fight that would bring it back to Allah’s command. Not everyone capable of fighting is capable of waging a fight that will bring it back to Allah’s command. If he is incapable of fighting it until it returns to Allah’s command, he is not commanded to fight it—neither as an obligation nor as a recommendation. Yet he may think that he is capable