9. At-Tawba

And the Jews say: "Uzayr (Ezra) is the son of Allah," and the Christians say: "The Messiah is the son of Allah." That is their saying with their mouths, resembling the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime. May Allah fight them, how they are deluded away from the truth (30)They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah, and (they also took as their Lord) the Messiah, son of Maryam, while they were commanded to worship none but One God, none has the right to be worshipped but He. Praise and hallowed be He above what they associate (with Him). (31)

Fighting the Jews and Christians is legislated because They are Idolators and Disbelievers

Allah the Exalted encourages the believers to fight the polytheists, disbelieving Jews and Christians, who uttered this terrible statement and utter lies against Allah, the Exalted. As for the Jews, they claimed that 'Uzayr was the son of God, Allah is free of what they attribute to Him. As for the misguidance of Christians over 'Isa, it is obvious. This is why Allah declared both groups to be liars,

ذَٰلِكَ قَوْلُهُم بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ

(That is their saying with their mouths), but they have no proof that supports their claim, other than lies and fabrications,

يُضَاهِئُونَ

(resembling), imitating,

قَوْلَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَبْلُ

(the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime.)

They imitate the previous nations who fell into misguidance just as Jews and Christians did,

قَاتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ

(may Allah fight them), Ibn 'Abbas said, "May Allah curse them."

أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ

(how they are deluded away from the truth!) how they deviate from truth, when it is apparent, exchanging it for misguidance. Allah said next,

اتَّخَذُوا أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَانَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَالْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ

(They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah, and the Messiah, son of Maryam)[9:31].

Imam Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Jarir At-Tabari recorded a Hadith via several chains of narration, from 'Adi bin Hatim, may Allah be pleased with him, who became Christian during the time of Jahiliyyah. When the call of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ reached his area, 'Adi ran away to Ash-Sham, and his sister and several of his people were captured. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ freed his sister and gave her gifts. So she went to her brother and encouraged him to become Muslim and to go to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. 'Adi, who was one of the chiefs of his people (the tribe of Tai') and whose father, Hatim At-Ta'i, was known for his generosity, went to Al-Madinah. When the people announced his arrival, 'Adi went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ wearing a silver cross around his neck. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited this Ayah;

اتَّخَذُوا أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَانَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ

(They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah).

Adi commented, "I said, 'They did not worship them.'" The Prophet ﷺ said,

بَلَى إِنَّهُمْ حَرَّمُوا عَلَيْهِمُ الْحَلَالَ وَأَحَلُّوا لَهُمُ الْحَرَامَ فَاتَّبَعُوهُمْ فَذَلِكَ عِبَادَتُهُمْ إِيَّاهُم

(Yes they did. They (rabbis and monks) prohibited the allowed for them …

They want to extinguish Allah's Light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the disbelievers hate (it)(32)It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, to make it superior over all religions even though the idolators hate (it)(33)

People of the Scriptures try to extinguish the Light of Islam

Allah says, the disbelieving idolators and People of the Scriptures want to,

أَن يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ

(extinguish the Light of Allah). They try through argument and lies to extinguish the guidance and religion of truth that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sent with. Their example is the example of he who wants to extinguish the light of the sun or the moon by blowing at them! Indeed, such a person will never accomplish what he sought. Likewise, the light of what the Messenger ﷺ was sent with will certainly shine and spread. Allah replied to the idolators' desire and hope,

وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ

(but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the disbelievers (Kafirun) hate (it))[9:32].

[Linguistincally] a Kafir is the person who covers something. For instance, night is called Kafiran [covering] because it covers things [with darkness]. The farmer is called Kafiran, because he covers seeds in the ground. Allah said in an Ayah,

أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ

(thereof the growth is pleasing to the [Kuffar] tillers)[57:20].

Islam is the Religion That will dominate over all Other Religions

Allah said next,

هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ

(It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth.)

Guidance' refers to the true narrations, beneficial faith and true religion that the Messenger ﷺ came with. 'religion of truth' refers to the righteous, legal deeds that bring about benefit in this life and the Hereafter.

لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ

(to make it (Islam) superior over all religions) It is recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

إِنَّ اللهَ زَوَى لِي الْأَرْضَ مَشَارِقَهَا وَمَغَارِبَهَا، وَسَيَبْلُغُ مُلْكُ أُمَّتِي مَا زُوِيَ لِي مِنْهَا

(Allah made the eastern and western parts of the earth draw near for me [to see], and the rule of my Ummah will extend as far as I saw.)

Imam Ahmad recorded from Tamim Ad-Dari that he said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying,

لَيَبْلُغَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ مَا بَلَغَ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ، وَلَا يَتْرُكُ اللهُ بَيْتَ مَدَرٍ وَلَا وَبَرٍ إِلَّا أَدْخَلَهُ هَذَا الدِّينَ، يُعِزُّ عَزِيزًا وَيُذِلُّ ذَلِيلًا، عِزًّا يُعِزُّ اللهُ بِهِ الْإِسْلَامَ وَذُلًّا يُذِلُّ اللهُ بِهِ الْكُفْرَ

(This matter (Islam) will keep spreading as far as the night and day reach, until Allah will not leave a house made of mud or hair, but will make this religion enter it, while bringing might to a mighty person (a Muslim) and humiliation to a disgraced person (who rejects Islam). Might with which Allah elevates Islam (and its people) and disgrace with which Allah humiliates disbelief (and its people).)

Tamim Ad-Dari [who was a Christian before Islam] used to say, "I have …

They want to extinguish Allah's Light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the disbelievers hate (it)(32)It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, to make it superior over all religions even though the idolators hate (it)(33)

People of the Scriptures try to extinguish the Light of Islam

Allah says, the disbelieving idolators and People of the Scriptures want to,

أَن يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ

(extinguish the Light of Allah). They try through argument and lies to extinguish the guidance and religion of truth that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sent with. Their example is the example of he who wants to extinguish the light of the sun or the moon by blowing at them! Indeed, such a person will never accomplish what he sought. Likewise, the light of what the Messenger ﷺ was sent with will certainly shine and spread. Allah replied to the idolators' desire and hope,

وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ

(but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the disbelievers (Kafirun) hate (it))[9:32].

[Linguistincally] a Kafir is the person who covers something. For instance, night is called Kafiran [covering] because it covers things [with darkness]. The farmer is called Kafiran, because he covers seeds in the ground. Allah said in an Ayah,

أَعْجَبَ الْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ

(thereof the growth is pleasing to the [Kuffar] tillers)[57:20].

Islam is the Religion That will dominate over all Other Religions

Allah said next,

هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ

(It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth.)

Guidance' refers to the true narrations, beneficial faith and true religion that the Messenger ﷺ came with. 'religion of truth' refers to the righteous, legal deeds that bring about benefit in this life and the Hereafter.

لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ

(to make it (Islam) superior over all religions) It is recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

إِنَّ اللهَ زَوَى لِي الْأَرْضَ مَشَارِقَهَا وَمَغَارِبَهَا، وَسَيَبْلُغُ مُلْكُ أُمَّتِي مَا زُوِيَ لِي مِنْهَا

(Allah made the eastern and western parts of the earth draw near for me [to see], and the rule of my Ummah will extend as far as I saw.)

Imam Ahmad recorded from Tamim Ad-Dari that he said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying,

لَيَبْلُغَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرُ مَا بَلَغَ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ، وَلَا يَتْرُكُ اللهُ بَيْتَ مَدَرٍ وَلَا وَبَرٍ إِلَّا أَدْخَلَهُ هَذَا الدِّينَ، يُعِزُّ عَزِيزًا وَيُذِلُّ ذَلِيلًا، عِزًّا يُعِزُّ اللهُ بِهِ الْإِسْلَامَ وَذُلًّا يُذِلُّ اللهُ بِهِ الْكُفْرَ

(This matter (Islam) will keep spreading as far as the night and day reach, until Allah will not leave a house made of mud or hair, but will make this religion enter it, while bringing might to a mighty person (a Muslim) and humiliation to a disgraced person (who rejects Islam). Might with which Allah elevates Islam (and its people) and disgrace with which Allah humiliates disbelief (and its people).)

Tamim Ad-Dari [who was a Christian before Islam] used to say, "I have …

O you who believe! Verily, there are many of the Ahbar (rabbis) and the Ruhban (monks) who devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And those who hoard up gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment (34)On the Day when that will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them:) "This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard. (35)

Warning against Corrupt Scholars and Misguided Worshippers

As-Suddi said that the Ahbar are Jewish rabbis, while the Ruhban are Christian monks. This statement is true, for Ahbar are Jewish rabbis, just as Allah said,

لَوْلَا يَنْهَاهُمُ الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالْأَحْبَارُ عَن قَوْلِهِمُ الْإِثْمَ وَأَكْلِهِمُ السُّحْتَ

(Why do not the Ahbar (rabbis) and the religious learned men forbid them from uttering sinful words and eating unlawful things.)[5:63]

The Ruhban are Christian monks or worshippers, while the 'Qissisun' are their scholars. Allah said in another Ayah,

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا

(This is because among them, there are Qissisin and Ruhban...)[5:82].

This Ayah warns against corrupt scholars and misguided worshippers. Sufyan bin 'Uyaynah said, "Those among our scholars who become corrupt are similar to the Jews, while those among our worshippers who become misguided are like Christians." An authentic Hadith declares,

لَتَرْكَبُنَّ سُنَنَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ حَذْوَ القُذَّةِ بِالْقُذَّةِ

(You will follow the ways of those who were before you, step by step.) They asked, "Jews and Christians" He ﷺ said,

فَمَن؟

(Who else?) In another narration, they asked, "Persia and Rome?" He said,

فَمَنِ النَّاسِ إِلَّا هَؤُلَاءِ؟

(And who else if it was not them) These texts warn against imitating them in action and statement, for they, as Allah stated,

لَيَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the way of Allah.)

They sell the religion in return for worldly gains, using their positions and status among people to illegally devour their property. For instance, the Jews were respected by the people of Jahiliyyah and collected gifts, taxes and presents from them. When Allah sent His Messenger ﷺ, the Jews persisted in their misguidance, disbelief and rebellion, hoping to keep their status and position. However, Allah extinguished all this and took it away from them with the light of Prophethood and instead gave them disgrace and degradation, and they incurred the anger of Allah, the Exalted. Allah said next,

وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(and hinder (them) from the way of Allah.)

Therefore, they illegally devour people's property and hinder them from following the truth. They also confuse truth with falsehood and pretend before their ignorant followers that they call to righteousness. The true reality is that they call to the Fire and will not find any helpers on the Day of Resurrection.

Torment of Those Who hoard Gold and Silver

Allah said,

وَالَّذِينَ …

O you who believe! Verily, there are many of the Ahbar (rabbis) and the Ruhban (monks) who devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And those who hoard up gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment (34)On the Day when that will be heated in the fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them:) "This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard. (35)

Warning against Corrupt Scholars and Misguided Worshippers

As-Suddi said that the Ahbar are Jewish rabbis, while the Ruhban are Christian monks. This statement is true, for Ahbar are Jewish rabbis, just as Allah said,

لَوْلَا يَنْهَاهُمُ الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالْأَحْبَارُ عَن قَوْلِهِمُ الْإِثْمَ وَأَكْلِهِمُ السُّحْتَ

(Why do not the Ahbar (rabbis) and the religious learned men forbid them from uttering sinful words and eating unlawful things.)[5:63]

The Ruhban are Christian monks or worshippers, while the 'Qissisun' are their scholars. Allah said in another Ayah,

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا

(This is because among them, there are Qissisin and Ruhban...)[5:82].

This Ayah warns against corrupt scholars and misguided worshippers. Sufyan bin 'Uyaynah said, "Those among our scholars who become corrupt are similar to the Jews, while those among our worshippers who become misguided are like Christians." An authentic Hadith declares,

لَتَرْكَبُنَّ سُنَنَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ حَذْوَ القُذَّةِ بِالْقُذَّةِ

(You will follow the ways of those who were before you, step by step.) They asked, "Jews and Christians" He ﷺ said,

فَمَن؟

(Who else?) In another narration, they asked, "Persia and Rome?" He said,

فَمَنِ النَّاسِ إِلَّا هَؤُلَاءِ؟

(And who else if it was not them) These texts warn against imitating them in action and statement, for they, as Allah stated,

لَيَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(devour the wealth of mankind in falsehood, and hinder (them) from the way of Allah.)

They sell the religion in return for worldly gains, using their positions and status among people to illegally devour their property. For instance, the Jews were respected by the people of Jahiliyyah and collected gifts, taxes and presents from them. When Allah sent His Messenger ﷺ, the Jews persisted in their misguidance, disbelief and rebellion, hoping to keep their status and position. However, Allah extinguished all this and took it away from them with the light of Prophethood and instead gave them disgrace and degradation, and they incurred the anger of Allah, the Exalted. Allah said next,

وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(and hinder (them) from the way of Allah.)

Therefore, they illegally devour people's property and hinder them from following the truth. They also confuse truth with falsehood and pretend before their ignorant followers that they call to righteousness. The true reality is that they call to the Fire and will not find any helpers on the Day of Resurrection.

Torment of Those Who hoard Gold and Silver

Allah said,

وَالَّذِينَ …

Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikin idolaters collectively as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who have Taqwa (36)

The Year consists of Twelve Months

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Bakrah said that the Prophet ﷺ said in a speech during his Hajj,

أَلَا إِنَّ الزَّمَانَ قَدِ اسْتَدَارَ كَهَيْئَتِهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ اللهُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ، السَّنَةُ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا مِنْهَا أَرْبَعُةٌ حُرُمٌ، ثَلَاثَةٌ مُتَوَالِيَاتٌ: ذُو الْقَعْدَةِ وَذُو الْحِجَّةِ وَالْمُحَرَّمُ وَرَجَبُ مُضَرَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ جُمَادَى وَشَعْبَانَ

ثم قال:

أَيُّ يَوْمٍ هَذَا

قلنا: الله ورسوله أعلم، فسكت حتى ظننا أنه سيسميه بغير اسمه قال:

أَلَيْسَ يَوْمَ النَّحْرِ؟

قلنا: بلى ثم قال:

أَيُّ شَهْرٍ هَذَا؟

قلنا: الله ورسوله أعلم، فسكت حتى ظننا أنه سيسميه بغير اسمه قال:

أَلَيْسَ ذَا الحِجَّةِ؟

قلنا: بلى، ثم قال:

أَيُّ بَلَدٍ هَذَا؟

قلنا: الله ورسوله أعلم فسكت حتى ظننا أنه سيسميه بغير اسمه قال:

أَلَيْسَتِ الْبَلْدَةَ؟

قلنا: بلى

(The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumada (Ath-Thaniyah) and Sha'ban." The Prophet then asked, 'What is the day today?' We said, "Allah and His Messenger know better. He kept quiet until we thought that he might give that day another name. He said 'Isn't it the day of Nahr?' We replied, "Yes." He further asked, 'Which month is this?' We again said, "Allah and His Messenger know better," and he kept quiet and made us think that he might give it another name. Then he said, 'Isn't it the month of Dhul-Hijjah?' We replied, "Yes." He asked, 'What town is this?' We said, "Allah and His Messenger know better," and he kept quiet until we thought that he might change its name. He asked, 'Isn't this the (Sacred) Town?' We said, "Yes." He said,

فَإِنَّ دِمَاءَكُمْ وَأَمْوَالَكُمْ - وَأَحْسِبُهُ قَالَ - وَأَعْرَاضَكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ حَرَامٌ كَحُرْمَةِ يَوْمِكُمْ هَذَا فِي شَهْرِكُمْ هَذَا، فِي بَلَدِكُمْ هَذَا. وَسَتَلْقَوْنَ رَبَّكُمْ فَيَسْأَلُكُمْ عَنْ أَعْمَالِكُمْ، أَلَا لَا تَرْجِعُوا بَعْدِي ضُلَّالًا يَضْرِبُ بَعْضُكُمْ رِقَابَ بَعْضٍ أَلَا هَلْ بَلَّغْتُ؟ أَلَا لِيُبَلِّغِ الشَّاهِدُ مِنْكُمُ الْغَائِبَ فَلَعَلَّ مَنْ يُبَلِّغُهُ يَكُونُ أَوْعَى لَهُ مِنْ بَعْضِ مَنْ سَمِعَهُ

(Verily! Your blood, property and honor are sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours and in this city of yours. Verily, you will meet your Lord and He will question you about your actions. Behold! Do not revert to misguidance after me by striking the necks of one another. Have I conveyed? It is incumbent upon those who are present to inform those who are absent, because those who are absent might comprehend (what I have said) better than some who are present.)

Al-Bukhari and …

The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief: thereby the disbelievers are led astray, for they make it lawful one year and forbid it another year in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah, and make such forbidden ones lawful. The evil of their deeds is made fair-seeming to them. And Allah guides not the people who disbelieve (37)

Admonishing the Preference of Opinion in a Religious Matter

Allah admonishes the idolators for choosing their wicked opinions over Allah's Law. They changed Allah's legislation based upon their vain desires, allowing what Allah prohibited and prohibiting what Allah allowed. They thought that three consecutive sacred months were rather long for them to remain without fighting, for they were full of anger and rage. This is why before Islam they innovated a change in the Sacred Month of Muharram, delaying it to the month of Safar! Therefore, they allowed fighting in the Sacred Month and made the non-sacred month sacred, to make the Sacred Months in a year four, as Allah decided!

Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn 'Abbas commented on Allah's statement,

إِنَّمَا النَّسِيءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْكُفْرِ

(The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief),

"Junadah bin 'Awf bin Umayyah Al-Kinani, known as Abu Thumamah, used to attend the Hajj season every year and declare, 'Abu Thumamah is never rejected nor refuted!,' and he used to treat Safar as sacred for people one year [and un-sanctify Muharram] and treat Muharram as sacred another year [and un-sanctify Safar in that year]. This is why Allah said,

إِنَّمَا النَّسِيءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْكُفْرِ

(The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief.)

Allah says, 'They allow Muharram one year and make it sacred another year.'" Al-'Awfi narrated a similar statement from Ibn 'Abbas. Layth bin Abi Sulaym narrated that Mujahid said, "There was a man from Bani Kinanah who would attend the Hajj season every year riding his donkey. He would proclaim, 'O people! I am never rejected, denied or refuted in what I say. We made this coming Muharram sacred, and Safar not!' The following year he would come again and declare the same words then say, 'We made this coming Safar sacred and delayed Muharram (revoked its sanctity).' This is the meaning of Allah's statement,

لِّيُوَاطِئُوا عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ

(in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah), to four months. Allah says, 'They allow what Allah disallowed by delaying the Sacred Month.'" The idolators used to allow Muharram one year and sanctify Safar in its place. They would continue the months of the year according to their normal count and names. The next year they would sanctify Muharram and continue the year, Safar, Rabi', until the end of the year.

يُحِلُّونَهُ عَامًا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُ عَامًا لِّيُوَاطِئُوا عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّوا مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ

(They make it lawful one year and forbid it another year in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah, and make such forbidden ones lawful.)

Therefore, they would still sanctify four months every year, but would one year sanctify the third from …

O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the cause of Allah, you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world compared to the Hereafter (38)If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment and will replace you by another people; and you cannot harm Him at all, and Allah is able to do all things (39)

Admonishing clinging to Life rather than rushing to perform Jihad

Allah admonishes those who lagged behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the battle of Tabuk, at a time when fruits were ripe and shades tempting in the intense and terrible heat,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the cause of Allah), if you are called to perform Jihad in the cause of Allah,

اثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ

(you cling heavily to the earth), reclining to remain in peace, shade and ripe fruits.

أَرَضِيتُم بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ

(Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter?), why do you do this, is it because you prefer this life instead of the Hereafter? Allah next diminishes the eagerness for this worldly life and increases it for the Hereafter,

فَمَا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ

(But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world compared to the Hereafter.)

Imam Ahmad recorded that Al-Mustawrid, a member of Bani Fihr, said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

مَا الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا كَمَا يَجْعَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِصْبَعَهُ هَذِهِ فِي الْيَمِّ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ بِمَ تَرْجِعُ؟

(The life of this world, compared to the Hereafter, is just like when one of you dips his finger in the sea, let him contemplate how much of it his finger would carry.)

The Prophet pointed with his index finger.

Muslim collected this Hadith. Ath-Thawri narrated that Al-A'mash said about the Ayah,

فَمَا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ

(But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world compared to the Hereafter.)

"What compares to the provision a traveler takes." 'Abdul-'Aziz bin Abi Hazim narrated that his father said, "When 'Abdul-'Aziz bin Marwan was dying he said, 'Bring the shroud I will be covered with so that I inspect it.' When it was placed before him, he looked at it and said, 'Is this what I will end up with from this life?' He then turned his back and cried, while saying, 'Woe to you, O life! Your abundance is truly little, your little is short lived, we were deceived by you.'"

Allah warns those who do not join Jihad,

إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

(If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment)

Ibn 'Abbas said, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ called some Arabs to mobilize, but they lagged behind and Allah witheld rain from coming down on them, and this was their torment." Allah said,

وَيَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ

(and will replace you by another people), who will give aid to His Prophet ﷺ and establish his …

If you help him (Muhammad ﷺ) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of the two; when they were both in the cave, he said to his companion: "Be not sad (or afraid), surely, Allah is with us." Then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquillity, peace) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allah that became the uppermost; and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise (40)

Allah supports His Prophet (ﷺ)

Allah said,

إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ

(If you help him not), if you do not support His Prophet ﷺ, then it does not matter, for Allah will help, support, suffice and protect him, just as He did,

إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ

(when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of the two;)

During the year of the Hijrah, the idolators tried to kill, imprison or expel the Prophet ﷺ, who escaped with his friend and Companion, Abu Bakr bin Abi Quhafah, to the cave of Thawr. They remained in the cave for three days so that the pagans who were sent in their pursuit, returned (to Makkah), and they proceed to Al-Madinah. While in the cave, Abu Bakr was afraid the pagans might discover them for fear that some harm might touch the Messenger ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ kept reassuring him and strengthening his resolve, saying,

يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ، مَا ظَـنُّكَ بِاثْنَينِ اللهُ ثَالِثُهُمَا

(O Abu Bakr! What do you think about two, with Allah as their third)

Imam Ahmad recorded from Anas that Abu Bakr said to him, "I said to the Prophet when we were in the cave, 'If any of them looks down at his feet, he will see us.' He said,

يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ، مَا ظَـنُّكَ بِاثْنَينِ اللهُ ثَالِثُهُمَا

(O Abu Bakr! What do you think about two with Allah as their third?)" This is recorded in the Two Sahihs. This is why Allah said,

فَأَنزَلَ اللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ

(Then Allah sent down His Sakinah upon him) sent His aid and triumph to His Messenger ﷺ, or they say it refers to Abu Bakr,

وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا

(and strengthened him with forces which you saw not), the angels,

وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا السُّفْلَىٰ ۗ وَكَلِمَةُ اللَّهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا

(and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allah that became the uppermost;)

Ibn 'Abbas commented, 'The word of those who disbelieved', is Shirk, while, 'The Word of Allah' is 'La ilaha illallah." It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about a man who fights because of courage, or out of rage for his honor, or to show off. Whom among them is in the cause of Allah?' The Prophet ﷺ said,

مَنْ قَاتَلَ لِتَكُونَ كَلِمَةُ اللهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا فَهُوَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ

(He who fights so that Allah's Word is superior, then he fights in Allah's cause.)" Allah said next,

وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ

(and Allah is All-Mighty), in His revenge and taking retribution, He is the Most Formidable and those who seek refuge with Him and take shelter by adhering to what He instructs are never made to suffer injustice,

حَكِيمٌ

(All-Wise), in His …