Al-Mumtahanah: (8-9) Allah does not forbid you...

There is a difference of opinion regarding the meaning of {those who have not fought you}.

The majority hold that they are the people of the covenant who made a pact with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to cease fighting and stop supporting hostility against him. These were the Khuzā'ah tribe, who had covenanted with the Prophet not to fight him or expel him. The Prophet (PBUH) commanded kindness and fulfillment of this covenant until its term expired. This view is held by Ibn Abbas, al-Muqātil, and al-Kalbī.

Others said:

• They are those who believed in Mecca but did not emigrate (Hijra).
• They are women and children.
• It is narrated from Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr that this verse was revealed concerning Asmā’ bint Abī Bakr. Her mother, Fitīlah, who was still a polytheist, came to her with gifts. Asmā’ did not accept them nor permit her mother to enter. The Prophet (PBUH) then commanded her to let her in, accept from her, honor her, and treat her kindly.
• According to Ibn Abbas, they were a group from Banu Hāshim, including Al-Abbas, who were forced out on the day of Badr against their will.
• Al-Hasan said that the Muslims sought permission from the Messenger of Allah regarding their polytheist relatives whom they wished to maintain ties with, and then Allah revealed this verse.
• It is also said that the verse concerns the polytheists in general.
• Qatādah said that the verse commanding kindness was later abrogated by the verse commanding fighting.

His statement {that you be kind to them} is an alternative (badal) to {those who have not fought you}. Similarly, {that you show them favor} (in the next part, referring to the prohibited group) is an alternative to {those who fought you}.

The meaning is: Allah does not forbid you from being kind to the former group, but He only forbids you from showing allegiance (Tawallī) to the latter group. This is a mercy towards them due to their intense hostility.

The interpreters of the Qur'an state that this verse indicates the permissibility of kindness (Birr) between Muslims and polytheists, even if allegiance (Muwālāt) is severed.

Regarding His statement {and act justly towards them}:

• Ibn Abbas explained this means through giving gifts and other forms of connection. He interpreted {Indeed, Allah loves those who are just} to mean those who are kind and maintain ties.
• Muqātil said it means fulfilling their covenants and being just to them.

Then, He mentioned those whom He forbids from maintaining ties with: {Indeed, Allah only forbids you from those who have fought you in religion that you should take them as allies (Tawallū)}.

There is a subtle point here: it emphasizes and reinforces His statement {Allah does not forbid you concerning those who have not fought you}.

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O you who have believed, when believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them. Allah is most knowing of their faith. And if you know them to be believers, then do not return them to the disbelievers; they are not lawful for them, nor are they lawful for them. And give them what they have spent. And there is no blame upon you if you marry them when you have given them their due compensation. And do not keep the bonds of marriage with disbelieving women, and ask for what you have spent, and let them ask for what they have spent. That is the judgment of Allah; He judges between you. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.

[Then the Almighty said:]