5299 Cf.
4:69, and n. 586. The four categories there mentioned as constituting the beautiful Fellowship of Faith are: the Prophets who teach, the Sincere Lovers of Truth, the Witnesses who testify, and the Righteous who do good. Of these, the prophets or messengers have already been mentioned in this verse. The Righteous who do good are mentioned as the men and women given over to deeds of charity in verse 18. 5300 The Witnesses are not only Martyrs, but all those who carry the Banner of Truth against all odds and in all positions of danger, whether by pen or speech, or deed or counsel. 5301 Note that these two are specially high degrees in the spiritual kingdom, just short of Prophethood. For they have not only their reward in the spiritual Kingdom of Allah , like those who practise charity (verse 18 above), but they themselves become sources of light and leading.