4. An-Nisaa

(You will find others) other than the people of Hilal, Asad and Ghatafan for example (who desire that they should have security from you) they desire that their persons and wealth and families be safe from you by the declaration of �there is no god but Allah�, (and security from their own folk) and desire to be safe from their clan by adhering to disbelief. (So often as they are returned to hostility) to idolatry (they are plunged therein) they revert to it. (If they keep not aloof from you) upon the conquest of Mecca (nor offer you peace) nor submit to you by means of a treaty (nor hold their hands) from fighting you upon the conquest of Mecca, (then take them) as prisoners (and kill them wherever you find them) in the Sacred Precinct or anywhere else. (Against such) i.e. Asad and Ghatafan (We have given you clear warrant) to kill them.

(It is not for a believer) it is not allowed for a believer, meaning here 'Ayyash Ibn Abi Rabi'ah (to kill a believer) Harith Ibn Zayd ((unless (it be) by mistake) even if it be by mistake. (He who hath killed a believer by mistake must set free a believing slave) a slave who believes in Allah and His Messenger, (and pay the blood money) in full (to the family of the slain) to the next of kin of the victim who have the right to demand retaliation, (unless they remit it as a charity) unless the next of kin of the victim remit the blood money to the killer as a charity. (If he) the victim (be of a people hostile unto you) who are at war with you, (and he) i.e. the victim (is a believer, then (the penance is) to set free a believing slave) the killer should set free a slave who believes in Allah and His Messenger and so does not have to pay the blood money. Harith belonged to a people who were at war with the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). (And if he) the victim (cometh of a folk between whom and you there is a covenant) a treaty and peace, (then the blood money must be paid) in full (unto his folk) to the next of kin of the victim (and (also) a believing slave must be set free) a slave who believes in the divine Oneness of Allah. (And whoso hath not the wherewithal) to set free a believing slave (must fast two consecutive months) continuously. (A penance from Allah) if he does this, Allah will forgive him for killing a believer by mistake. (Allah is Knower) of him who kills by mistake, (Wise) in that which he ought to do.

Then Allah revealed about Miqyas Ibn Sababah, the killer of al-Fihri, the emissary of Allah's Messenger (pbuh) who, after taking the blood money for the killing of his brother Hisham Ibn Sababah, left Islam and fled to Mecca, saying: (Whoso slayeth a believer of set purpose, his reward is hell) for this wilful killing (for ever) due to his idolatry. (Allah is wroth against him) for taking the blood money (and He hath cursed him) because he killed a person who did not kill his brother (and prepared for him an awful doom) because of his boldness towards Allah.

Allah then explained the reward of those who fight in the way of Allah, saying: (Those of the believers who sit still) although they do not suffer from any disabling hurt, and do not participate in jihad, (other than those who have a (disabling) hurt) if they were to participate in jihad, i.e. either they are weak in their bodies or have lost their sight, as with 'Abdullah Ibn Umm Maktum and 'Abdullah Ibn Jahsh al-Asdi, (are not on an equality with those who strive in the way of Allah with their wealth) by spending their money (and lives. Allah hath conferred on those who strive with their wealth and lives a rank) a merit (above the sedentary) who do not have any disabling hurt. (Unto each) those who engage in jihad and those who do not (Allah hath promised good) Paradise due to their faith, (but He hath bestowed on those who strive) those who engage in jihad in his way (a great reward) an abundant reward in Paradise (above the sedentary) who do not have any disabling hurt;

(Degrees of rank from Him) merits from Allah in bestowing different ranks, (and forgiveness) of sins (and mercy) that saves one from torment. (Allah is ever Forgiving) of those who repent of staying back and who goes out on jihad, (Merciful) towards him who dies in a state of repentance.

Then, Allah revealed the following about the 50 people who had left Islam and were all killed during the Battle of Badr, saying: (Lo! as for those whom the angels take (in death)) at the Battle of Badr (while they wrong themselves) by being idolaters, ((the angels) will ask) upon taking their souls: (In what were you engaged) what were you doing in Mecca? (They will say: We were oppressed) and humiliated (in the land) in Mecca at the hands of the unbelievers. ((The angels) will say: Was not Allah's earth) Medina (spacious) safe (that ye could have migrated therein? As for such) group of people, (their habitation) their dwelling (will be hell, an evil journey's end) they will come to;

Allah then showed who had an excuse, saying: (Except the feeble among men) the elderly and the weak, (and the women, and the children, who are unable to devise a plan) for leaving Mecca (and are not shown a way) they do not know how to leave.

(As for such, it may be) it is a requisite (that Allah will pardon them) that which ensues from them. (Allah is ever Clement) towards the likes of these, (Forgiving) of those who repent amongst them.

(Whoso migrateth for the cause of Allah) in obedience of Allah (will find much refuge) and a sanctuary (and abundance) of means of living and safety (in the earth) in Medina. This was revealed about Aktham Ibn Sayfi and again about Jundu' Ibn Damura, an old man who lived in Mecca and who migrated from the latter to Medina but died in al-Tan'im. His reward is the same as the reward of those who made it to Mecca, and so he died with his endeavour highly praised. Allah said in this context: (and whoso forsaketh his home) in Mecca, (a fugitive unto Allah) unto the obedience of Allah (and His messenger) and unto His Messenger in Medina, (and death overtaketh him) at al-Tan'im, (his reward) the reward of his migration (is then incumbent on Allah. Allah is ever Forgiving) of his past idolatry, (Merciful) regarding that which ensued from him in Islam.