Transliteration:( Wa izaaa unzilat Sooratun an aaminoo billaahi wa jaahidoo ma'a Rasoolihis taazanaka uluttawli minhum wa qaaloo zarnaa nakum ma'alqaa 'ideen )
“And when any Surah is revealed commanding: 'Believe in Allah and fight [236] in the company of His Messenger'; then those having the capability among them [237] ask leave of you and say: 'Leave us to remain with those who sit behind [238].'”
On the basis of this verse, some Ulema have stated that the status of holy war comes after faith, considering that it is mentioned immediately after Faith. This implies that holy war is a worship of great excellence. However, the truth is that Salah (prayer) holds the highest status as an act of worship because holy war was made permissible to establish it. This verse is specifically about a time when there was a great need for holy war, emphasizing its importance at that moment.
This verse teaches that it is not prohibited for those who are helpless or incapable to abstain from holy war. It acknowledges that certain people may be unable to participate in the battle due to their circumstances.
By this, it means the request from those who were incapable of participating in Jihad (holy war) to remain with those who are unable to fight, such as children, women, the sick, and the helpless. They sought permission to stay with those who were not in a position to join the battle.
86. And when a Surah is revealed, enjoining them to believe in Allah and to strive hard and fight along with His Messenger, the wealthy among them ask your leave to exempt them and say, “Leave us (behind), we would be with those who sit (at home).” 87. They are content to be with those who sit behind. Their hearts are sealed up, so they understand not.
Allah chastises and admonishes those who stayed away from Jihad and refrained from performing it, even though they had the supplies, means and ability to join it. They asked the Messenger for permission to stay behind, saying,
(“Leave us (behind), we would be with those who sit (at home)”) thus accepting for themselves the shame of lagging behind with women, after the army had left. If war starts, such people are the most cowardice, but when it is safe, they are the most boastful among men. Allah described them in another Ayah,
(Then when fear comes, you will see them looking to you, their eyes revolving like (those of) one over whom hovers death; but when the fear departs, they will smite you with sharp tongues.)﴿33:19﴾ their tongues direct their harsh words against you, when it is safe to do so. In battle, however, they are the most cowardice among men. Allah said in another Ayah,
(Those who believe say: “Why is not a Surah sent down (for us) But when a decisive Surah (explaining and ordering things) is sent down, and fighting is mentioned therein, you will see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at you with a look of one fainting to death. But it was better for them. Obedience (to Allah) and good words (were better for them). And when the matter is resolved on, then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them.) ﴿47:20-21﴾ sAllah said next,
(Their hearts are sealed up) because of their staying away from Jihad and from accompanying the Messenger in Allah’s cause,
(so they understand not.) they neither understand what benefits them so that they perform it nor what hurts them so that they avoid it.
(9:86) And whenever any surah is revealed enjoining: “Believe in Allah and strive (in His Way) along with His Messenger,” the affluent among them ask you to excuse them, saying: “Leave us with those who will sit back at home.”
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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