With kind permission: Islamic Foundation UK
Introduction to Tafheem | Glossary | Verbs
Tafsirs: Maarif | Dawat | Ishraq | Clear
↕
- Cro Magnon Man
107. This verse .can be interpreted in three ways, and each meaning is equally
valid: First, that those who now shirked to fight in the cause of God were themselves
initially eager to fight. They often approached the Prophet (peace be on him),
saying that they were being wronged, beaten, persecuted and abused, that' their
patience was exhausted, and that they wanted permission to fight. They had then
been told to be patient and continue to purify their souls by observing Prayers
and dispensing Zakah. At that time they had felt disconcerted by this counsel
of patience. Later on, some of those very same people were to tremble at the
first sight of the enemy and the dangers of warfare.
Second, that they remained highly 'religious' as long as they were asked merely
to pray and pay Zakah, which entailed no risk to their lives. But as soon as
that phase was over and they were asked to expose themselves to danger, they
began to shiver with fear.
Third, that in the former times the same people had unsheathed their swords
for trivial causes. They had fought for loot and plunder, and engaged in feuds
motivated by animal impulses, so much so that feuding had almost become their
national pastime. At that time they had been told to abstain from bloodshed
and to reform themselves by observing Prayers and dispensing Zakah. When, later
on, the same people were told that the time had come for them to fight in the
cause of God, those who had shown themselves to be lions while fighting for
their own selfish causes turned out to be as meek as lambs. The strong hands
which had wielded the sword so firmly, and had used it so fiercely for the sake
of either personal or tribal honour, or for Satan's sake, became almost paralysed.
Each of these three meanings applies to a different kind of person, but the
actual words of the verse seem to apply equally to all who shirked fighting
in the cause of God.
108. Were they to serve the religion of God and spend their energy in that cause, they would surely be rewarded by Him.
109. When such people encounter success and victory, they attribute it to the grace of God. They allow themselves to forget that this grace came to them through no one but the Prophet (peace be on him). When they are either beaten or face setbacks because of their own faults and weaknesses they gratuitously exonerate themselves and place the blame squarely on the Prophet (peace be on him).