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Let not the believers take the disbelievers as patrons, rather than, that is, instead of, the believers - for whoever does that, that is, [whoever] takes them as patrons, does not belong to, the religion of, Allahu ta’ālā in anyway - unless you protect yourselves against them, as a safeguard (tuqātan, 'as a safeguard', is the verbal noun from taqiyyatan), that is to say, [unless] you fear something, in which case you may show patronage to them through words, but not in your hearts: this was before the hegemony of Islam and [the dispensation] applies to any individual residing in a land with no say in it. Allahu ta’ālā warns you, He instills fear in you, of His Self, [warning] that He may be wrathful with you if you take them as patrons; and to Allahu ta’ālā is the journey's end, the return, and He will requite you.