New post on honey for the heart Surah At-Tawbah Ayat 32-41 by honeyfortheheart {32. They want to extinguish Allahs Light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the disbelievers hate (it). 33. 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).} People of the Scriptures try to extinguish the Light of Islam Allah says, the disbelieving idolators and People of the Scriptures want to, extinguish the Light of Allah. They try through argument and lies to extinguish the guidance and religion of truth that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 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 was sent with will certainly shine and spread. Allah replied to the idolators desire and hope, 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,thereof the growth is pleasing to the [Kuffar] tillers (57:20). Islam is the Religion That will dominate over Other Religions Allah said next,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 came with. religion of truth refers to the righteous, legal deeds that bring about benefit in this life and the Hereafter. to make it (Islam) superior over all religions It is recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, 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. (Muslim 4:2215) Imam Ahmad recorded from Tamim Ad-Dari that he said, I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, 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 come to know the meaning of this Hadith in my own people. Those who became Muslims among them acquired goodness, honor and might. Disgrace, humiliation and Jizyah befell those who remained disbelievers. (Ahmad 4:103) {34. 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. 35. 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.} Warning against Corrupt Scholars and Misguided Worshippers As-Suddi said that the Ahbar are Jewish rabbis, while the Ruhban are Christian monks. (At-Tabari 14:216) This statement is true, for Ahbar are Jewish rabbis, just as Allah said,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, 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, You will follow the ways of those who were before you, step by step. They asked, Jews and Christians? He said, Who else? In another narration, they asked, Persia and Rome? He said, And who else if it was not them? (Ash-Shariah p18) These texts warn against imitating them in action and statement, for they, as Allah stated,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 , 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,and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. Therefore, they illegally devour peoples 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,And those who hoard [Kanz] gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment. (9:34). This is the third category of leaders, for people rely on their scholars, worshippers and the wealthy among them. When these categories of people become corrupt, the society in general becomes corrupt. Ibn Al-Mubarak once said, What corrupted the religion, except kings and wicked Ahbar and Ruhban. As for Kanz, it refers to the wealth on which Zakah has not been paid, according to Malik, who narrated this from Abdullah bin Dinar from Ibn Umar. (Al-Muwatta 1:256) Al-Bukhari recorded that Az-Zuhri said that Khalid bin Aslam said that Abdullah bin Umar said, This was before Zakah was ordained. When Zakah was ordained, Allah made it a cleanser for wealth. (Fat Al-Bari 8:175) Umar bin Abdul-Aziz and Irak bin Malik said that this Ayah was abrogated by Allahs statement,Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth There are many Hadiths that admonish hoarding gold and silver. We will mention here some of these Hadiths. Abdur-Razzaq recorded a Hadith from Ali about Allahs statement,And those who hoard up gold and silver... Ali said that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, Woe to gold! Woe to silver. He repeated this statement thrice, and this Hadith was hard on the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said, What type of wealth should we use? Umar said, I will find out for you, and he asked, O Allahs Messenger! Your statement was hard for your Companions. They asked, What wealth should we use? The Prophet answered, A remembering tongue, an appreciative heart and a wife that helps one of you implement his religion. (Abdur-Razzaq 2:263) Allahs statement,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. These words will be said to them as a way of admonishing, criticizing and mocking them. Allah also said;Then pour over his head the torment of boiling water. Taste you (this)! Verily, you were (pretending to be) the mighty, the generous! (44:48-49). There is a saying that goes, He who covets a thing and prefers it to Allahs obedience, will be punished with it. Because hoarding money was better to these people than Allahs pleasure, they were punished with it. For instance, Abu Lahab, may Allah curse him, was especially active in defying the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his wife was helping him in this regard. Therefore, on the Day of Resurrection, she will help in punishing him, for there will be a twisted rope of palm fiber on her neck. She will be gathering wood from the Fire and throwing it on him so that his torment is made harder by the hand of someone whom he used to care for in this life. Likewise, money was precious to those who hoarded it in this life. Therefore, money will produce the worst harm for them in the Hereafter, when it will be heated in the Fire of Jahannam, whose heat is quiet sufficient, and their forehead, sides and back will be branded with it. Imam Abu Jafar Ibn Jarir recorded that Thawban said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to declare, Whoever leaves a treasure behind (on which he did not pay the Zakah) then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will follow him, and he will say, Woe to you! Who are you? The snake will say, I am your treasure that you left behind, and will keep following him until the man gives it his hand; the snake will devour it and then devour his whole body. Ibn Hibban also collected this Hadith in his Sahih. Part of this Hadith was also collected in the Two Sahihs from Abu Hurayrah. (At-Tabari 6:363) In his Sahih, Muslim recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, Every man who does not pay the Zakah due on his money, then on the Day of Resurrection, his side, forehead and back will be branded with rods made of fire on a Day the length of which is fifty thousand years, until when the servants will be judged; that man will be shown his destination, either to Paradise or the Fire. (Muslim 2:628) In the Tafsir of this Ayah, Al-Bukhari recorded that Zayd bin Wahb said, I passed by Abu Dharr in the area of Rabadhah and asked him, What made you reside in this area? He said, We were in Ash-Sham when I recited this Ayah,And those who hoard up gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment. Muawiyah said, This Ayah is not about us, it is only about the People of the Book. So I (Abu Dharr) said, Rather, it is about us and them. (Fat Al-Bari 8:173) {36. 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.} The Year consists of Twelve Months Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Bakrah said that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said in a speech during his Hajj, 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-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumada (Ath-Thaniyah) and Shaban. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 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 Isnt 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, Isnt 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, Isnt this the (Sacred) Town? We said, Yes. He said, 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. (Ahmad 5:37) Al-Bukhari and Muslim collected this Hadith. (Fat Al-Bari 8:175; Muslim 3:1305) In a small book collected by Shaykh Alam ad-Din As-Sakhawi, entitled, Al-Mashhur fi Asma Al-Ayam wash-Shuhur, he mentioned that Muharram is so named because it is a sacred month. To me, it was so named to emphasize its sacredness. This is because the Arabs would switch it around. One year they would say it was a sacred month, the following year they would say that it was not. The author said, ...and Safar is so named because they used to leave their homes during that month for fighting and traveling. When saying Safir a place, it means to leave it... Rabi Al-Awwal is called that because they used to do Irtiba in it, that is to maintain ones property... and Rabi Al-Akhir, was so named for the same reasons. Jumada is called that because the water would dry up (Jamud) then....They say Jumada Al-Uwla and Al-Awwal, or Jumada Al-Akhar or Al-Akhirah. Rajab comes from Tarjib, meaning to honor. Shaban because the tribes would separate and return to their homes. Ramadan was so named because of the severity of the Ramda - that is - the heat, and they say that the branch Ramadat when it is thirsty...And the saying that it is a Name of Allah is a mistake, for there is no proof or support for that... The Sacred Months Allah said,of them four are sacred. The Arabs used to consider these months sacred during the time of Jahiliyyah, except for a group of them called Al-Basl, who held eight months of the year to be sacred as way of exaggeration in religion. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, Three are in succession; Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab [of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumada (Ath-Thani)] and Shaban. The Prophet said Rajab of Mudar to attest to the custom of Mudar, in saying that Rajab is the month that is between Jumada and Shaban, not as the tribe of Rabiah thought, that it is between Shaban and Shawwal, which is Ramadan in the present calendar. The four Sacred Months were made four, three in succession and one alone, so that the Hajj and Umrah are performed with ease. Dhul-Qadah, the month before the Hajj month, was made sacred because they refrained from fighting during that month. Dhul-Hijjah, the next month, was made sacred because it is the month of Hajj, during which they performed Hajj rituals. Muharram, which comes next, was made sacred so that they are able to go back to their areas in safety [after performing Hajj]. Rajab, in the middle of the lunar year, was made sacred so that those coming from the farthest areas of Arabia are able to perform Umrah and visit the House and then go back to their areas safely. Allah said next,That is the right religion, that is the Straight Law, requiring implementing Allahs order concerning the months that He made sacred and their true count as it was originally written by Allah. Allah said,so wrong not yourselves therein during these Sacred Months, for sin in them is worse than sin in other months. Likewise, sins in the Sacred City are written multiplied,...and whoever inclines to evil actions therein (in Makkah) or to do wrong, him We shall cause to taste from a painful torment (22:25). Similarly, sin in general is worse during the Sacred Months. Ali bin Abi Talhah narrated that Ibn Abbas said, Allahs statement, Verily, the number of months with Allah..., is connected to so wrong not yourselves therein, In all (twelve) months. Allah then chose four out of these months and made them sacred, emphasizing their sanctity, making sinning in them greater, in addition to, multiplying rewards of righteous deeds during them. (At-Tabari 14:238) Qatadah said about Allahs statement,so wrong not yourselves therein, Injustice during the Sacred Months is worse and graver than injustice in other months. Verily, injustice is always wrong, but Allah makes things graver than others as He will. He also said, Allah has chosen some of His creation above others. He chose Messengers from angels and from men. He also chose His Speech above all speech, the Masajid above other areas of the earth, Ramadan and the Sacred Months above all months, Friday above the other days and Laylatul-Qadr (The Night of Decree) above all nights. Therefore, sanctify what Allah has sanctified, for doing so is the practice of people of understanding and comprehension. Fighting in the Sacred Months Allah said,and fight against the idolators collectively, all of you,as they fight against you collectively, all of them,But know that Allah is with those who have Taqwa, and know that initiating battle during the Sacred Months is forbidden. Allah said in other Ayat,O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, nor of the sacred month. (5:2),The Sacred Month is for the Sacred Month, and for the prohibited things, there is the law of equality (Qisas). Then whoever transgresses the prohibition against you, you transgress likewise against him (2:194), and,Then when the Sacred Months have passed, kill the idolators... (9:5). As for Allahs statement, And fight against the idolators collectively as they fight against you collectively, it includes permission for the believers to fight the idolators in the Sacred Month, if the idolators initiate hostilities therein. Allah said in other Ayat,The Sacred Month is for the Sacred Month, and for the prohibited things, there is the law of equality (Qisas) (2:194), and,And fight not with them at Al-Masjid Al-Haram, unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. (2:191). As for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, laying siege to At-Taif until the Sacred Month started, it was a continuation of the battle against Hawazin and their allies from Thaqif. They started the fighting and gathered their men for the purpose of conducting war. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, marched to meet them and when they took refuge in At-Taif, the Prophet laid siege to them so that they descend from their forts, but they inflicted casualties on Muslims. The siege continued for about forty days, during which a Sacred Month began, and the siege continued for several days in that month. The Messenger broke the siege and went back (to Makkah). So fighting that carries over into it [the Sacred Month] is not the same as initiating warfare during it, Allah knows best. {37. 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.} Admonishing the Preference of Opinion in a Religious Matter Allah admonishes the idolators for choosing their wicked opinions over Allahs Law. They changed Allahs 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 Allahs statement,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,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. (At-Tabari 14:245) Al-Awfi narrated a similar statement from Ibn Abbas. (At-Tabari 14:246) 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 Allahs statement,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. (At-Tabari 14:246) 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.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 the three consecutive Sacred Months, Muharram, and postpone and delay it another year to Safar. In his book of Sirah, Imam Muhammad bin Ishaq presented a very useful beneficial discussion on this matter. He said; The first to start the practice of overlooking the sanctity of months for the Arabs, thus allowing what Allah sanctified of them and sanctifying what Allah allowed of them, was Al-Qalammas. He was Hudhayfah bin Abd Fuqaym bin Adi bin Amr bin Thalabah bin Al-Harith bin Malik bin Kinanah bin Khuzaymah bin Mudrikah bin Ilyas bin Mudar bin Nizar bin Madd bin Adnan. His son Abbad maintained this practice, then after him his son Qala bin Abbad did the same, Then his son Umayyah bin Qala, then his son Awf bin Umayyah, then his son Abu Thumamah Junadah bin Awf. He was the last one of his sons (to continue this practice) before Islam. The Arabs used to gather around him when Hajj finished, and he would stand and give them a speech in which he sanctifies Rajab, Dhul-Qadah and Dhul-Hijjah. He would defer the sanctity of Muharram to Safar one year and uphold its sanctity another year, so as to appear upholding the number (of Sacred Months) Allah made sacred. Therefore, he would allow what Allah prohibited and prohibit what Allah allowed. (Ibn Hisham 1:45) Allah knows best. {38. 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. 39. 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.} Admonishing clinging to Life rather than rushing to perform Jihad Allah admonishes those who lagged behind the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in the battle of Tabuk, at a time when fruits were ripe and shades tempting in the intense and terrible heat,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,you cling heavily to the earth, reclining to remain in peace, shade and ripe fruits.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,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, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, 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. (Ahmad 4:228) Ath-Thawri narrated that Al-Amash said about the Ayah,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,If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment Ibn Abbas said, Allahs Messenger called some Arabs to mobilize, but they lagged behind and Allah witheld rain from coming down on them, and this was their torment. (At-Tabari 14:255) Allah said,and will replace you by another people, who will give aid to His Prophet and establish his religion. Allah said in another Ayah, And if you turn away (from the obedience to Allah), He will exchange you for some other people and they will not be your likes. (47:38) and you cannot harm Him at all, you can never harm Allah when you lag behind and stay away from joining Jihad, and Allah is able to do all things. He is able to destroy the enemies without your help. {40. If you help him (Muhammad) 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.} Allah Supports His Prophet Allah said, If you help him not, if you do not support His Prophet , then it does not matter, for Allah will help, support, suffice and protect him, just as He did, 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 , 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, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The Prophet kept reassuring him and strengthening his resolve, saying, O Abu Bakr! What do you think about two, with Allah as their third? (Fath Al-Bari 8:176) 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, O Abu Bakr! What do you think about two with Allah as their third? (Ahmad 1:4) This is why Allah said, Then Allah sent down His Sakinah upon him sent His aid and triumph to His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, or they say it refers to Abu Bakr, and strengthened him with forces which you saw not, the angels, 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. (At-Tabari 14:261) It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Musa Al-Ashari said, The Messenger of Allah 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? (Fath Al-Bari 1:286 and Muslim 3:1512) The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, He who fights so that Allahs Word is superior, then he fights in Allahs cause. Allah said next, 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, All-Wise, in His statements and actions. {41. 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.} Jihad is required in all Conditions Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated from his father from Abu Ad-Duha, Muslim bin Subayh, who said, This Ayah, March forth, whether you are light or heavy was the first part to be revealed from Surah Baraah. (At-Tabari 14:270) Mutamir 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, March forth, whether you are light or heavy. (At-Tabari 14:266) Allah commanded mass mobilization together with the Messenger of Allah for the battle of Tabuk, to fight the disbelieving, People of the Book, the Romans, Allahs enemies. Allah ordained that the believers all march forth with the Messenger regardless whether they felt active, lazy, at ease or had difficult circumstances, 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 Baraah until he reached this Ayah, 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 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 Muawiyah] 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. (Ibn Abi Hatim 6:1802) As-Suddi said, 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 refused. Then this Ayah, March forth, whether you are light or heavy was revealed, and it became hard on the people. So Allah abrogated it with this Ayah, 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-Sharabi narrated to him, We mobilized our forces with Safwan bin Amr, who was the governor of Hims towards the city of Ephsos appointed to the Jerajima Christian expatriates (in Syria). I saw among the army an old, yet active man, whose eyebrows had sunk over his eyes (from old age), from the residents of Damascus, riding on his animal. I said to him, O uncle! Allah has given you an excuse (to lag behind). He said, O my nephew! Allah has mobilized us whether we are light or heavy. Verily, those whom Allah loves, He tests them. Then to Allah is their return and eternal dwelling. Allah tests from His servants whoever thanks (Him) and observes patience and remembrance of Him, all the while worshipping Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, and worshipping none else. (At-Tabari 14:264) Next, Allah encourages spending in His cause and striving with ones life in His pleasure and the pleasure of His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. This is better for you, if you but knew. Allah says, this is better for you in this life and the Hereafter. You might spend small amounts, but Allah will reward you the property of your enemy in this life, as well as, the honor that He will keep for you in the Hereafter. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said, Allah promised the Mujahid in His cause that if He brings death to him, He will enter him into Paradise. Or, He will return him to his house with whatever reward and war spoils he earns. (Muslim 4:1496) So Allah said; Jihad is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know. (2:216) Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to a man, Embrace Islam but the man said, I dislike doing so. The Messenger said, Embrace Islam even if you dislike it. (Ahmad 3:109) Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged) Vol 4 Pages 411-435
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 02:44:38 +0000