Which enemies must Muslims prioritize fighting?

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Every group of Muslims must fight the enemies nearest to them. This ruling is based on the Quranic command: 'O you who have believed, fight those who are near you of the disbelievers' (Quran 9:123). The proximate enemy causes more immediate harm, and engaging them defends those behind them. Distraction by a distant enemy allows the near enemy to seize opportunity against the Muslims. If a legitimate reason exists to prioritize a distant enemy—such as that enemy being more feared, a specific benefit in engaging them first due to their proximity and the immediate opportunity, or if the nearer enemy is under a truce or fighting them is presently prevented—then engaging the farther enemy is permissible as the need dictates.