What is the meaning of Al-Walaa wal-Baraa (loyalty and disavowal), whom should we be loyal to and disavow, what are the manifestations of loyalty, and what are the categories of people in terms of Al-Walaa wal-Baraa?

The manifestations of loyalty to believers are many, and they are encompassed by the words of Allah Almighty: "The believers are nothing but brothers," and the interpretation of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." This includes loving believers and loving good for them, benefiting them, feeling their pains, supporting them, advising them, comforting them, and standing with them in prosperity and adversity.

As for the manifestations of loyalty to disbelievers, some of them are disbelief, some are major sins, and some are less than that. The greatest of these is heartfelt love for them and their religion, supporting them against Muslims, and admiring their cultures and behaviors.

Categories of people regarding al-wala' and al-bara': 1. Those whose complete loyalty is obligatory: The Prophets, the Companions, and the Imams recognized for their leadership in knowledge and action from the Tabi'un and those who followed them. 2. Those from whom complete disavowal is obligatory: Everyone who opposed Allah and openly showed enmity towards Him, according to His words: "You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred." 3. Those whose loyalty is obligatory from one aspect and enmity from another: Disobedient believers; they are loved and shown loyalty to the extent of their obedience, and they are opposed and hated to the extent of their disobedience.