According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the principle of treating non-belligerents with equity is fundamentally established in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 8. Ibn Kathir explains that this verse clarifies that Allah does not forbid Muslims from being kind and maintaining relations with non-Muslims who are not at war with them over religion. The verse uses two distinct and powerful terms: 'birr' (البر), signifying a high degree of righteousness, kindness, and virtue—the same word used for honoring one's parents—and 'qist' (القسط), meaning scrupulous equity and fairness. Al-Qurtubi elaborates on the legal dimension, affirming that this includes good treatment, maintaining family ties, and just dealings. The specific context of revelation is widely cited as Asma bint Abi Bakr's question to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about receiving her non-Muslim mother, confirming that kindness to non-hostile family is an Islamic value. This verse, contrasted with the subsequent verse forbidding alliances with active enemies, forms the cornerstone of Islamic ethics in international relations and peaceful coexistence, mandating proactive kindness and perfect justice towards those who are not hostile to the faith.