Transliteration:( Kutiba alaikumulqitaalu wa huwa kurhullakum wa 'asaaa an takrahoo shai'anw wa huwa khairullakum wa 'asaaa an tuhibbo shai'anw wa huwa sharrullakum; wallaahu ya'lamu wa antum laa ta'lamoon )
216. Fighting in the Way of Allah is made obligatory upon you, although it is disliked by you [505]. This may be so, that you dislike a thing that is actually good for you. And perhaps you desire a thing, but it may be bad for you. And Allah knows (the actual truth) while you do not know. [506]
The word “disliked” in this verse refers to natural human reluctance, not disobedience by the Beloved Companions, who never opposed Divine Orders.
🔹 Disapproval of a Divine command is heresy and disbelief (kufr).
🔹 Jihad (fighting in the way of Allah) becomes:
Fard-e-Kifaya (collective obligation): if some fulfill it, others are absolved
Fard-e-Ayn (individual obligation): binding upon all
🔹 Moreover, preparing for Jihad also becomes obligatory when Jihad is mandated. As Allah says: “And keep ready for them the strength you can…” (S8:V60)
This verse teaches that humans may dislike what is actually beneficial, or desire what is harmful, due to limited understanding.
🔹 For example, a patient may request sweet medicine, but the doctor provides a bitter yet effective cure.
🔹 Similarly, unanswered prayers or trials should not lead to dissatisfaction — Allah knows best what is good for His servants.
215. They ask you (O Muhammad ) what they should spend. Say: “Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and Al-Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarer, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well.”
Muqatil bin Hayyan said that this Ayah was revealed about the voluntary charity. The Ayah means, `They ask you (O Muhammad ) how they should spend,’ as Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid have stated. So, Allah explained it for them, saying:
(Say: “Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and Al-Masakin and the wayfarer,”) meaning, spend it on these categories or areas. Similarly, a Hadith states (that those who deserve one’s generosity the most, are):
(Your mother, father, sister, brother, the closest and then the farthest (relatives).)
Maymun bin Mihran once recited this Ayah (2:215) and commented, “These are the areas of spending. Allah did not mention among them the drums, pipe, wooden pictures, or the curtains that cover the walls.”
Next, Allah said:
(…and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well.) meaning, whatever you perform of good works, Allah knows them and He will reward you for them in the best manner, no one will be dealt with unjustly, even the weight of an atom.
(2:216) Fighting is ordained upon you and it is disliked by you; it may well be that you dislike a thing even though it is good for you, and it may well be that you like a thing even though it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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