Page 731 - An Index to the Qur'an

and them–‘Oh! If only I had been with them so Go out to fight, light-armed and heavy-armed,
that I too might have won a great victory.’ (4:73) and strive with your wealth and yourselves in the
... Do not take any of them as either a friend or Way of Allah. That is better for you if you only
helper–except for those who seek shelter with knew. (9:41)
people with whom you have a treaty, or who If it had been a case of easy gains and a short
come to you greatly perturbed at the prospect of journey, they would have followed you, but the
fighting either you or their own people. If Allah distance was too great for them. They will swear
had willed, He could have given them the upper by Allah: ‘Had we been able to, we would have
hand over you and then they would have fought gone out with you.’ They are destroying their
you. If they keep away from you and do not fight own selves. Allah knows that they are lying.
you and submit to you, Allah has not given you (9:42)
any way against such people. (4:89-90) Allah pardon you! Why did you excuse them
You will find others who desire to be safe from until it was clear to you which of them were
you and safe from their own people. Each time telling the truth and until you knew the liars?
they are returned to dissension they are over- (9:43)
whelmed by it. If they do not keep away from Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day do
you or submit to you or refrain from fighting, not ask you to excuse them from striving with
seize them and kill them wherever you find their wealth and themselves. Allah knows the
them. Over such people We have given you people who guard against evil. (9:44)
clear authority. (4:91) Only those who do not believe in Allah and the
You who believe! When you encounter those Last Day ask you to excuse them. Their hearts are
who disbelieve advancing in massed ranks into full of doubt and in their doubt they waver to and
battle, do not turn your backs on them. (8:15) fro. (9:45)
Anyone who turns his back on them that day, un- If they had really desired to go out (to fight), they
less he is withdrawing to rejoin the fight or with- would have made proper preparations for it, but
drawing to support another group, brings Allah’s Allah was averse to their setting out so He held
anger down upon himself. His refuge is Hell. them back and they were told: ‘Stay behind with
What an evil destination! (8:16) those who stay behind.’ (9:46)
You who believe! What is the matter with you If they had gone out among you, they would
that when you are told, ‘Go out and fight in the have added nothing to you but confusion. They
way of Allah,’ you sink down heavily to the would have scurried about amongst you seeking
earth? Are you happier with this world than the to cause conflict between you, and among you
hereafter? Yet the enjoyment of this world is very there are some who would have listened to them.
small compared to that of the hereafter. (9:38) Allah knows the wrongdoers. (9:47)
If you do not go out to fight, He will punish you They have already tried to cause conflict before,
with a painful punishment and substitute another and turned things completely upside down for
people in your place. You will not harm Him in you, until the truth came and Allah’s command
any way. Allah has power over all things. (9:39) prevailed even though they detested it. (9:48)
If you do not help him, Allah did help him when Among them are there some who say, ‘Give me
those who disbelieved drove him out and there permission to stay. Do not put temptation in my
were two of them in the Cave. He said to his way.’ Have they not fallen into that very tempta-
companion, ‘Do not be despondent, Allah is tion? Hell hems in the disbelievers. (9:49)
with us.’ Then Allah sent down His serenity upon If good happens to you it galls them. If a mishap
him and reinforced him with troops you could occurs to you, they say, ‘We made our prepara-
not see. He made the word of those who disbe- tions in advance,’ and they turn away rejoicing.
lieved undermost. It is the word of Allah which is (9:50)
uppermost. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. (9:40) Say: ‘Nothing can happen to us except what
729