9. At-Tawba

March forth, whether you are light or heavy, and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. This is better for you, if you but knew (41)

Jihad is required in all Conditions

Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated from his father from Abu Ad-Duha, Muslim bin Subayh, who said, "This Ayah,

انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا

(March forth, whether you are light or heavy) was the first part to be revealed from Surah Bara'ah." Mu'tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said, "Hadrami claimed that he was told that some people used to declare that they will not gain sin (if they lag behind the forces of Jihad) because they are ill or old. This Ayah was revealed,

انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا

(March forth, whether you are light or heavy.)"

Allah commanded mass mobilization together with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for the battle of Tabuk, to fight the disbelieving, People of the Book, the Romans, Allah's enemies. Allah ordained that the believers all march forth with the Messenger ﷺ regardless whether they felt active, lazy, at ease or had difficult circumstances,

انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا

(March forth, whether you are light or heavy)

'Ali bin Zayd narrated that Anas said that Abu Talhah commented (on this Ayah), "Whether you are old or young, Allah did not leave an excuse for anyone." Abu Talhah marched to Ash-Sham and fought until he was killed. In another narration, Abu Talhah recited Surah Bara'ah until he reached this Ayah,

انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا وَجَاهِدُوا بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(March forth, whether you are light or heavy, and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah.)

He then said, "I see that Allah had called us to mobilize whether we are old or young. O my children! Prepare my supplies." His children said, 'May Allah grant you His mercy! You conducted Jihad along with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ until he died, then with Abu Bakr until he died, then with 'Umar until he died. Let us perform Jihad in your place." Abu Talhah refused and he went to the sea [under the command of Mu'awiyah] where he died. They could not find an island to bury him on until nine days later, during which his body did not deteriorate or change and they buried him on the island. As-Suddi said,

انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا

(March forth, whether you are light or heavy), whether you are rich, poor, strong, or weak. A man came forward, and he was fat, complained, and asked for permission to stay behind [from Jihad], but the Prophet ﷺ refused. Then this Ayah,

انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا

(March forth, whether you are light or heavy) was revealed, and it became hard on the people. So Allah abrogated it with this Ayah,

لَّيْسَ عَلَى الضُّعَفَاءِ وَلَا عَلَى الْمَرْضَىٰ وَلَا عَلَى الَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ مَا يُنفِقُونَ حَرَجٌ إِذَا نَصَحُوا لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ

(There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or who find no resources to spend, if they are sincere and true (in duty) to Allah and His Messenger)[9:91]."

Ibn Jarir said that Hibban bin Zayd Ash-Shar'abi narrated to him, "We mobilized our forces with Safwan bin 'Amr, who was the governor of Hims towards the city of Ephsos appointed to …

Had it been a near gain and an easy journey, they would have followed you, but the distance was long for them; and they would swear by Allah: "If we only could, we would certainly have come forth with you." They destroy themselves, and Allah knows that they are liars (42)

Why Hypocrites would not join in Jihad

Allah admonishes those who lagged behind and did not join the Prophet ﷺ for the battle of Tabuk, those who asked the Prophet for permission to remain behind, falsely pretending to have legitimate reasons to do so,

لَوْ كَانَ عَرَضًا قَرِيبًا

(Had it been a near gain), booty right in front of them, according to Ibn 'Abbas,

وَسَفَرًا قَاصِدًا

(and an easy journey), travel for only a short distance,

لَّاتَّبَعُوكَ

(they would have followed you.) But,

وَلَٰكِن بَعُدَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الشُّقَّةُ

(the distance was long for them), to Ash-Sham,

وَسَيَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ

(and they would swear by Allah), when you return to them,

لَوِ اسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَكُمْ

(If we only could, we would certainly have come forth with you), had not there been a valid excuse, we would have gone out with you,

يُهْلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ

(They destroy themselves, and Allah knows that they are liars.)

May Allah forgive you. Why did you grant them leave, until those who told the truth were manifest to you, and you had known the liars (43)Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, would not ask your leave to be exempted from fighting with their properties and their lives; and Allah is the All-Knower of those who have Taqwa (44)It is only those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt that ask your leave. So in their doubts they waver (45)

Moderately criticizing the Prophet (ﷺ) for allowing the Hypocrites to stay behind

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Awn said, "Have you heard criticism softer than this, starting with forgiveness before criticism,

عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنكَ لِمَ أَذِنتَ لَهُمْ

(May Allah forgive you. Why did you grant them leave...)?" Muwarriq Al-'Ijli and others said similarly. Qatadah said, "Allah criticized him as you read here, then later revealed to him the permission to allow them to lag behind if he wants, in Surat An-Nur,

فَإِذَا اسْتَأْذَنُوكَ لِبَعْضِ شَأْنِهِمْ فَأْذَن لِّمَن شِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ

(So if they ask your permission for some affairs of theirs, give permission to whom you will of them)[24:62]."

Ata' Al-Khurasani said similarly. Mujahid said, "This Ayah was revealed about some people who said, 'Ask permission from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ [to stay behind], and whether he agrees, or disagrees, remain behind!'" Allah said,

حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا

(...until those who told the truth were manifest to you), in reference to valid excuses,

وَتَعْلَمَ الْكَاذِبِينَ

(and you had known the liars)

Allah says, 'Why did you not refuse to give them permission to remain behind when they asked you, so that you know those who truly obey you and the liars, who were intent on remaining behind even if you do not give them permission to do so.

Allah asserts that none who believe in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ seek his permission to remain behind from fighting,

لَا يَسْتَأْذِنُكَ

(would not ask your leave), to stay behind from Jihad,

الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أَن يُجَاهِدُوا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ

(Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, to be exempted from fighting with their properties and their lives.) because they consider Jihad an act of worship. This is why when Allah called them to perform Jihad, they obeyed and hasten to act in His obedience,

وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالْمُتَّقِينَ - إِنَّمَا يَسْتَأْذِنُكَ

(and Allah is the All-Knower of those who have Taqwa. Those who ask your leave), to remain behind, without a valid excuse,

الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ

(those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day), they do not hope for Allah's reward in the Hereafter for their good actions,

وَارْتَابَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(and whose hearts are in doubt), about the validity of what you brought them,

فَهُمْ فِي رَيْبِهِمْ يَتَرَدَّدُونَ

(so in their doubts they waver.)

They waver in doubt, taking one step forward and one step back. They do not have a firm stance in anything, for they are unsure and destroyed, neither belonging to these nor to those. Verily, those whom Allah misguides, will never find a way for …

May Allah forgive you. Why did you grant them leave, until those who told the truth were manifest to you, and you had known the liars (43)Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, would not ask your leave to be exempted from fighting with their properties and their lives; and Allah is the All-Knower of those who have Taqwa (44)It is only those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt that ask your leave. So in their doubts they waver (45)

Moderately criticizing the Prophet (ﷺ) for allowing the Hypocrites to stay behind

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Awn said, "Have you heard criticism softer than this, starting with forgiveness before criticism,

عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنكَ لِمَ أَذِنتَ لَهُمْ

(May Allah forgive you. Why did you grant them leave...)?" Muwarriq Al-'Ijli and others said similarly. Qatadah said, "Allah criticized him as you read here, then later revealed to him the permission to allow them to lag behind if he wants, in Surat An-Nur,

فَإِذَا اسْتَأْذَنُوكَ لِبَعْضِ شَأْنِهِمْ فَأْذَن لِّمَن شِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ

(So if they ask your permission for some affairs of theirs, give permission to whom you will of them)[24:62]."

Ata' Al-Khurasani said similarly. Mujahid said, "This Ayah was revealed about some people who said, 'Ask permission from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ [to stay behind], and whether he agrees, or disagrees, remain behind!'" Allah said,

حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا

(...until those who told the truth were manifest to you), in reference to valid excuses,

وَتَعْلَمَ الْكَاذِبِينَ

(and you had known the liars)

Allah says, 'Why did you not refuse to give them permission to remain behind when they asked you, so that you know those who truly obey you and the liars, who were intent on remaining behind even if you do not give them permission to do so.

Allah asserts that none who believe in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ seek his permission to remain behind from fighting,

لَا يَسْتَأْذِنُكَ

(would not ask your leave), to stay behind from Jihad,

الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أَن يُجَاهِدُوا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ

(Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, to be exempted from fighting with their properties and their lives.) because they consider Jihad an act of worship. This is why when Allah called them to perform Jihad, they obeyed and hasten to act in His obedience,

وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالْمُتَّقِينَ - إِنَّمَا يَسْتَأْذِنُكَ

(and Allah is the All-Knower of those who have Taqwa. Those who ask your leave), to remain behind, without a valid excuse,

الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ

(those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day), they do not hope for Allah's reward in the Hereafter for their good actions,

وَارْتَابَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(and whose hearts are in doubt), about the validity of what you brought them,

فَهُمْ فِي رَيْبِهِمْ يَتَرَدَّدُونَ

(so in their doubts they waver.)

They waver in doubt, taking one step forward and one step back. They do not have a firm stance in anything, for they are unsure and destroyed, neither belonging to these nor to those. Verily, those whom Allah misguides, will never find a way for …

May Allah forgive you. Why did you grant them leave, until those who told the truth were manifest to you, and you had known the liars (43)Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, would not ask your leave to be exempted from fighting with their properties and their lives; and Allah is the All-Knower of those who have Taqwa (44)It is only those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt that ask your leave. So in their doubts they waver (45)

Moderately criticizing the Prophet (ﷺ) for allowing the Hypocrites to stay behind

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Awn said, "Have you heard criticism softer than this, starting with forgiveness before criticism,

عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنكَ لِمَ أَذِنتَ لَهُمْ

(May Allah forgive you. Why did you grant them leave...)?" Muwarriq Al-'Ijli and others said similarly. Qatadah said, "Allah criticized him as you read here, then later revealed to him the permission to allow them to lag behind if he wants, in Surat An-Nur,

فَإِذَا اسْتَأْذَنُوكَ لِبَعْضِ شَأْنِهِمْ فَأْذَن لِّمَن شِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ

(So if they ask your permission for some affairs of theirs, give permission to whom you will of them)[24:62]."

Ata' Al-Khurasani said similarly. Mujahid said, "This Ayah was revealed about some people who said, 'Ask permission from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ [to stay behind], and whether he agrees, or disagrees, remain behind!'" Allah said,

حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا

(...until those who told the truth were manifest to you), in reference to valid excuses,

وَتَعْلَمَ الْكَاذِبِينَ

(and you had known the liars)

Allah says, 'Why did you not refuse to give them permission to remain behind when they asked you, so that you know those who truly obey you and the liars, who were intent on remaining behind even if you do not give them permission to do so.

Allah asserts that none who believe in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ seek his permission to remain behind from fighting,

لَا يَسْتَأْذِنُكَ

(would not ask your leave), to stay behind from Jihad,

الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ أَن يُجَاهِدُوا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ

(Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, to be exempted from fighting with their properties and their lives.) because they consider Jihad an act of worship. This is why when Allah called them to perform Jihad, they obeyed and hasten to act in His obedience,

وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالْمُتَّقِينَ - إِنَّمَا يَسْتَأْذِنُكَ

(and Allah is the All-Knower of those who have Taqwa. Those who ask your leave), to remain behind, without a valid excuse,

الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ

(those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day), they do not hope for Allah's reward in the Hereafter for their good actions,

وَارْتَابَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ

(and whose hearts are in doubt), about the validity of what you brought them,

فَهُمْ فِي رَيْبِهِمْ يَتَرَدَّدُونَ

(so in their doubts they waver.)

They waver in doubt, taking one step forward and one step back. They do not have a firm stance in anything, for they are unsure and destroyed, neither belonging to these nor to those. Verily, those whom Allah misguides, will never find a way for …

And if they had intended to march out, certainly, they would have made some preparation for it; but Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them): "Sit among those who sit (at home). (46)Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder, and they would have hurried about in your midst (spreading corruption) and sowing sedition among you – and there are some among you who would have listened to them. And Allah is the All-Knower of the wrongdoers (47)

Exposing Hypocrites

Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَرَادُوا الْخُرُوجَ

(And if they had intended to march out,), with you to participate in Jihad

لَأَعَدُّوا لَهُ عُدَّةً

(certainly, they would have made some preparation for it) they would have prepared for such task,

وَلَٰكِن كَرِهَ اللَّهُ انبِعَاثَهُمْ

(but Allah was averse to their being sent forth) Allah hated that they should go with you,

فَثَبَّطَهُمْ

(so He made them lag behind, and stay away [from Jihad],

وَقِيلَ اقْعُدُوا مَعَ الْقَاعِدِينَ

(and it was said (to them): "Sit you among those who sit (at home)") as a part of what was decreed for them [not that He legislated that they stay behind]. Allah then explained why He disliked that they march with the believers, saying,

لَوْ خَرَجُوا فِيكُم مَّا زَادُوكُمْ إِلَّا خَبَالًا

(Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder), because they are cowards and failures,

وَلَأَوْضَعُوا خِلَالَكُمْ يَبْغُونَكُمُ الْفِتْنَةَ

(and they would have hurried about in your midst sowing sedition among you)

They would have rushed to spread false stories, hatred and discord among you,

وَفِيكُمْ سَمَّاعُونَ لَهُمْ

(and there are some among you who would have listened to them.)

who would have obeyed them, given preference to their speech and words and asked them for advice, unaware of the true reality of these hypocrites. This might have caused corruption and great evil between the believers.

Muhammad bin Ishaq said, "Those who sought permission (from the Messenger ﷺ to lag behind) included some of the chiefs, such as 'Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul and Al-Jadd bin Qays, who were masters of their people. Allah also made them lag behind because He knew that if they went along with the Messenger ﷺ they would sow sedition in his army." There were some in the Prophet's army who liked these chiefs and were ready to obey them, because they considered them honorable,

وَفِيكُمْ سَمَّاعُونَ لَهُمْ

(and there are some among you who would have listened to them)[9:47]. Allah next reminds of His perfect knowledge, saying,

وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّالِمِينَ

(And Allah is the All-Knower of the wrongdoers.) Allah says that He knows what occurred, what will occur and if anything would have occurred, how it would occur, such as,

لَوْ خَرَجُوا فِيكُم مَّا زَادُوكُمْ إِلَّا خَبَالًا

(Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder,) indicating what they would have done had they marched, even though they did not. Allah said in similar Ayat,

وَلَوْ رُدُّوا لَعَادُوا لِمَا نُهُوا عَنْهُ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ

(But if they were returned (to the world), they …

Verily, they had plotted sedition before, and had upset matters for you, until the truth (victory) came and the decree of Allah became manifest though they hated it (48)

Allah encourages His Prophet ﷺ against hypocrites,

لَقَدِ ابْتَغَوُا الْفِتْنَةَ مِن قَبْلُ وَقَلَّبُوا لَكَ الْأُمُورَ

(Verily, they had plotted sedition before, and had upset matters for you,)

For a long time,' Allah says, hypocrites thought and plotted against you and your Companions, as well as, failing and attempting to extinguish your religion.' This occurred soon after the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Al-Madinah, when pagan Arabs joined force and the Jews and hypocrites of Al-Madinah waged war against the Messenger ﷺ. When Allah gave victory to the Prophet ﷺ in Badr and raised high his word, 'Abdullah bin Ubayy and his fellows said, "This (Islam) is a matter that has prevailed." They embraced Islam outwardly, and whenever Allah elevated Islam and its people in might, hypocrites increased in rage and disappointment,

حَتَّىٰ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَظَهَرَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ وَهُمْ كَارِهُونَ

(until the truth (victory) came and the decree of Allah became manifest though they hated it.)

And among them is he who says: "Grant me leave and put me not into trial." Surely, they have fallen into trial. And verily, Hell is surrounding the disbelievers (49)

Allah says, some hypocrites say to you, O Muhammad ﷺ,

ائْذَن لِّي

(Grant me leave), to stay behind,

وَلَا تَفْتِنِّي

(and put me not into trial.), if I go with you and see the women of the Romans. Allah, the Exalted, replied,

أَلَا فِي الْفِتْنَةِ سَقَطُوا

(Surely, they have fallen into trial) because of the statement they uttered. Muhammad bin Ishaq reported from Az-Zuhri, Yazid bin Ruwman, 'Abdullah bin Abi Bakr, 'Asim bin Qatadah and several others that they said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to Al-Jadd bin Qays from Bani Salimah,

هَلْ لَكَ يَا جَدُّ الْعَامَ فِي جَلَادِ بَنِي الْأَصْفَرِ؟

('Would you like to fight the yellow ones (Romans) this year?)

He said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Give me permission (to remain behind) and do not cause Fitnah for me. By Allah! My people know that there is not a man who is more fond of women than I. I fear that if I see the women of the yellow ones, I would not be patient.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ turned away from him and said,

قَدْ أَذِنْتُ لَكَ

(I give you permission.) In Al-Jadd's case, this Ayah was revealed,

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ ائْذَن لِّي وَلَا تَفْتِنِّي

(And among them is he who says: "Grant me leave and put me not into trial.")

Therefore, Allah says that the Fitnah that he fell into because of not joining the Messenger of Allah ﷺ (in Jihad) and preferring his safety to the safety of the Messenger ﷺ is worse than the Fitnah that he falsely claimed to fear." It was reported from Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid and several others that this Ayah was revealed in the case of Al-Jadd bin Qays, who was among the chiefs of Bani Salimah. It is also recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked,

مَنْ سَيِّدُكُمْ يَا بَنِي سَلَمَةَ؟

(Who is your chief, O Bani Salamah?)

They said, "Al-Jadd bin Qays, although we consider him a miser." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

وَأَيُّ دَاءٍ أَدْوَأُ مِنَ الْبُخْلِ! وَلَكِنْ سَيِّدُكُمْ الْفَتَى الْجَعْدُ الْأَبْيَضُ بِشْرُ بْنُ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ مَعْرُورٍ

(There is not a disease worse than stinginess! Therefore, your chief is the white young man with curly hair, Bishr bin Al-Bara' bin Ma'rur.) Allah said next,

وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌ بِالْكَافِرِينَ

(And verily, Hell is surrounding the disbelievers.) and they will never be able to avoid, avert, or escape from it.

If good befalls you, it grieves them, but if a calamity overtakes you, they say: "We took our precaution beforehand," and they turn away rejoicing (50)Say: "Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Mawla (protector)." And in Allah let the believers put their trust (51)

Allah emphasizes the enmity that the hypocrites have for the Prophet ﷺ.

If a blessing, such as victory and triumph over the enemies, is given to the Prophet ﷺ, thus pleasing him and his Companions, it grieves the hypocrites,

وَإِن تُصِبْكَ مُصِيبَةٌ يَقُولُوا قَدْ أَخَذْنَا أَمْرَنَا مِن قَبْلُ

(but if a calamity overtakes you, they say: "We took our precaution beforehand,"), they say, we took precautions when we did not join him,

وَيَتَوَلَّوا وَّهُمْ فَرِحُونَ

(and they turn away rejoicing.) Allah directed His Prophet ﷺ to reply to the perfect enmity they have towards him,

قُل

(Say), to them,

لَّن يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا

(Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us.) for we are under His control and decree,

هُوَ مَوْلَانَا

(He is our Mawla.), Master and protector,

وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ

(And in Allah let the believers put their trust)[9:51], and we trust in Him. Verily, He is sufficient for us and what an excellent guardian.