Tafsir of Al-Fath 48:8-9

{As a witness} You bear witness over your nation, as in His saying: {And the Messenger will be a witness over you} (Al-Baqarah: 143).

{That you may believe} The pronoun refers to the people.

{And support him} Meaning: strengthen him with aid.

{And honor him} Meaning: revere him.

{And exalt Him} Derived from tasbih (glorification), or from subha (devotion). The pronouns refer to Allah, the Almighty and Majestic. The intent behind "supporting Allah" is supporting His religion and His Messenger (peace be upon him). Whoever differentiates the pronouns [by assigning them to different entities] has strayed far from the truth.

Variants:

• It is recited as li-tu’minu (that you may believe), wa-tu‘azziruhu (and support him), wa-tuwaqqiruhu (and honor him), and wa-tusabbihuhu (and exalt Him) with the ta (second-person address). The address is directed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and his nation.
• Tu‘azziruhu is recited with both the damma and kasra on the za’.
• Tu‘azziruhu is also recited with a damma on the ta and a lightened consonant, and as tu‘azzizuhu with two za’s.
• Tuwaqqiruhu is derived from awqara, meaning waqqara (to honor).
• Wa-tusabbihu (and you exalt) Allah.

{Morning and evening} According to Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both): This refers to the Dawn prayer, and the Noon and Afternoon prayers.

{Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you, [O Muhammad] - they are actually pledging allegiance to Allah. The hand of Allah is over their hands. So he who breaks his word only breaks it to the detriment of himself. And he who fulfills that which he has covenanted with Allah - He will give him a great reward.}