How can one reconcile the Almighty's saying: "But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them, but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do" with His saying: "O you who have believed, do not take your fathers and your brothers as allies if they have preferred disbelief over belief"? And does 'alliance' in the verse mean following, agreeing with, and supporting falsehood? And what is the difference between righteousness, maintaining ties of kinship, and alliance?

The two verses are reconciled by the permissibility of showing kindness to disbelieving parents and associating with them in a good manner, without showing them loyalty or obeying them in shirk (polytheism) and disobedience to Allah. For the Sharia has made it obligatory to disavow polytheists and to show loyalty to Allah, as stated in His saying, the Most High: "There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, 'Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has arisen between us and you animosity and hatred forever.'" Righteousness through good companionship includes gentle speech, not grumbling, and material and moral kindness, as Allah, the Most High, said: "Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly." This differs from religious loyalty and love. As for natural love due to kinship, it is permissible on the condition of hating disbelief and disavowing it.