Transliteration:( Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo maa lakum izaa qeela lakumun firoo fee sabeelil laahis saaqaltum ilal ard; aradeetum bilhayaatid dunyaa minal Aakhirah; famaamataa'ul hayaatiddunyaa fil Aakhirati illaa qaleel )
O believers! What has happened to you that when it is said to you [103], "Go forth in the way of Allah," you cling heavily to the earth [104]? Have you chosen the life of this world over the Hereafter? But the enjoyment of this worldly life is insignificant compared to the Hereafter [105].
From this we learn that a Muslim does not become an infidel by sinning because Allah Almighty calls those lazy in Jihad as believers, although negligence in Jihad is a sin.
This verse was revealed on the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk to instil desire for Jihad (holy war). This battle took place in Rajab 9th Hijri after the Battle of Taif. Tabuk is several kilometers from Madina towards Syria.
The Holy Prophet ﷺ made great effort despite severe drought and heat straining the Muslims.
Hazrat Uthman Ghani (may Allah be pleased with him) generously donated military equipment for 10,000 soldiers, 10,000 gold coins, 900 camels, and 100 saddled horses.
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique gave all he had at home.
Hazrat Umar donated half his possessions.
The Holy Prophet ﷺ left Hazrat Ali Murtaza as deputy in Madina and led an army of 30,000.
Abdullah ibn Ubayy and the hypocrites turned back at Thaniyatul Wuda.
The well of Tabuk, with little water, became full through the blessed water of the Prophet ﷺ, sufficing soldiers and animals.
No actual fighting occurred because Emperor Heraclius was overawed by the Muslim army. The Prophet ﷺ imposed poll tax on governors of Doomatul Jandal and Eila and returned to Madina.
After this battle, Hazrat Ka’ab bin Malik, Hilal ibn Umayyah, and Murarah ibn Rabee were boycotted (details follow).
This means all worldly things will perish, while the Hereafter is eternal and abundant. The goods of this life are little in comparison.
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.
Allah admonishes those who lagged behind the Messenger of Allah 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 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. Muslim collected this Hadith. Ath-Thawri narrated that Al-A`mash 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, “Allah’s Messenger 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,
(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.
(9:38) Believers![38] What is amiss with you that when it is said to you: “March forth in the cause of Allah,” you cling heavily to the earth? Do you prefer the worldly life to the Hereafter? Know well that all the enjoyment of this world, in comparison with the Hereafter, is trivial.[39]
38. From here begins the discourse (Ayats 38-72) which was sent down at the time when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was engaged in making preparations for the campaign to Tabuk.
39. “The enjoyment of the life of this world” may imply two meanings. First: “When you will find that the life in the Hereafter is eternal and see that the good things and the provisions of enjoyment are countless, you will realize that the potential and the actual enjoyments of the temporary life of this world were nothing as compared with the blessings of that great kingdom. At that time you will regret why you deprived yourselves of this everlasting happiness and bliss for the sake of a very little and short lived enjoyments of the mortal life of this world.” Second: “The goods of this worldly life are of no value in the Hereafter, howsoever abundant they might be. You shall have to give up each and everything as soon as you breathe your last. For nothing of this world can go with you to the next world. Of course, you will get credit for what you sacrificed for the pleasure and love of Allah, and love of Islam.”
[475]- i.e., inclining toward the comforts of worldly life.
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