In this lesson of Sūrah Al-Ḥajj, verses 38–46, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf explains how Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ defends and supports those who truly believe, while condemning treachery and ingratitude. These verses grant permission to fight only those who have been wrongfully oppressed and expelled from their homes for declaring, "Our Lord is Allāh." Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf highlights that Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ protects places where His name is remembered, including monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, and promises victory to those who uphold His religion. The verses also describe the qualities of sincere believers who, when given authority, establish prayer, give zakāh, enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ then reminds us of the nations who rejected their prophets, including the people of Nūḥ, ʿĀd, Thamūd, Ibrāhīm, Lūṭ, Madyan and Mūsā عَلَیْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَام, and how they were ultimately seized despite being granted time to repent. The ruined cities, abandoned wells and deserted palaces stand as lasting signs for those who reflect. These verses remind us that true blindness is not the blindness of the eyes, but the blindness of the heart that refuses to recognise the truth.