permissible. Thus, if he lawfully fights unbelievers, apostates, covenant-breakers, or Kharijites, he is to be joined in that fight. But if he wages an impermissible war, he is not to be joined. He is therefore assisted in righteousness and piety, but not in sin and aggression—just as a man may travel with those performing Hajj and Umrah even if the caravan includes an unjust person.

An unjust person may not be assisted in wrongdoing, for Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“Cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.”

[Surah al-Mā’ida: 2]

Moses said:

“My Lord, because of the favor You have bestowed upon me, I will never be a supporter of criminals.”

[Surah al-Qasas: 17]

And He, Exalted is He, says:

“Do not incline toward those who commit wrongdoing, lest the Fire touch you.”

[Surah Hūd: 113]

And He, Exalted is He, says:

“Whoever intercedes in a good cause will have a share in it, and whoever intercedes in an evil cause will bear a portion of it.”

[Surah al-Nisā’: 85]

The one who intercedes is one who assists. Thus, whoever assists a person in a matter has thereby interceded on his behalf in it. No one, therefore—neither a ruler nor anyone else—may be assisted in anything that Allah and His Messenger have forbidden.

However, if a man has sins but undertakes a righteous deed, assisting him in that righteous deed is not forbidden. For example, if a sinner wishes to pay his zakat, perform Hajj, settle his debts, restore some property he wrongfully holds, or make testamentary arrangements for his daughters, assisting him in any of these things is cooperation in righteousness and piety, not cooperation in sin and aggression. How much more, then, does this apply to matters of public concern?