Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

CHAPTER 4, VERSE 95-100

لَّا يَسْتَوِي الْقَاعِدُونَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ غَيْرُ أُولِي الضَّرَرِ وَالْمُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْۚ فَضَّلَ اللَّـهُ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِينَ دَرَجَةًۚ وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ اللَّـهُ الْحُسْنَىٰۚ وَفَضَّلَ اللَّـهُ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ عَلَى الْقَاعِدِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿٩٥﴾ دَرَجَاتٍ مِّنْهُ وَمَغْفِرَةً وَرَحْمَةًۚ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿٩٦﴾ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ ظَالِمِي أَنفُسِهِمْ قَالُوا فِيمَ كُنتُمْۖ قَالُوا كُنَّا مُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِۚ قَالُوا أَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَرْضُ اللَّـهِ وَاسِعَةً فَتُهَاجِرُوا فِيهَاۚ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا ﴿٩٧﴾ إِلَّا الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلًا ﴿٩٨﴾ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ عَسَى اللَّـهُ أَن يَعْفُوَ عَنْهُمْۚ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا ﴿٩٩﴾ وَمَن يُهَاجِرْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ يَجِدْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُرَاغَمًا كَثِيرًا وَسَعَةًۚ وَمَن يَخْرُجْ مِن بَيْتِهِ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى اللَّـهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ يُدْرِكْهُ الْمَوْتُ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّـهِۗ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿١٠٠﴾

The holders back from among the believers, not having any injury, and those who strive hard in Allãh's way with their property and their persons are not equal; Allãh has made the strivers with their property and their persons to excel the holders back in rank, and to each Allãh has promised good; and Allãh has distinguished the strivers above the holders back (by) a great recompense (95): (High) degrees from Him and pardon and mercy, and Allãh is Forgiving, Merciful (96). Surely (as for) those whom the angels cause to die whilethe are unjust to their souls they shall say: “In what state were you?” They shall say: “We were weak in the earth.” They shall say: “Was not Allãh's earth vast (enough), so that you should have emigrated therein?” So these it is whose abode is hell, and it is an evil resort (97); Except the weak ones from among the men and the women and the children who have not in their power the means nor can they find a way (to escape) (98); So these, it may be, Allãh will pardon them, and Allãh is Pardoning, Forgiving (99). And whoever emigrates in Allãh's way, he will find in the earth many a place of refuge and abundant resources; and whoever goes forth from his house emigrating to Allãh and His Messenger, and then death overtakes him, his reward is surely incumbent upon Allãh, and Allãh is Forgiving, Merciful (100).

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COMMENTARY

QUR’ÃN: The holders back from among the believers . are not equal: ad-Darar (اَلضَّرَرُ = the damage and defect in body) which prevents one from participating in jihãd and fighting, e.g., blindness, lameness and sickness. Striving hard with their property means spending it in the way of Allãh in order to gain victory over the enemies of the religion; striving with their persons denotes fighting in Allãh's way.

The phrase: and to each Allãh has promisedgood , indicates that the verse is speaking about those holders back who had not gone forth for jihãd at a time when their participation was not very vital - because a sufficient number of warriors had already joined the Islamic force. Accordingly, the verse aims at encouraging and exhorting the believers to participate in jihãd, to hasten to it and hurry in joining it.

As a further proof, see that Allãh has exempted from jihãd those who are not physically fit; then He says that the holders back [with exception of the unfit ones] are not equal to the fighters - yet the fact remains that the physically unfit ones too are not equal to the fighters in the way of Allãh.[So, why this exception?] We may say that Allãh will compensate their inability because their intention was good. Even then, the fighting, and martyrdom orvictory over the enemies of Allãh are really great distinctions for those who fight in the way of Allãh over the non-participators.

In short, the verse serves to exhort and encourage the believers and re-awaken their spirit of faith in order that they should hasten and race towards good deeds and excellence.

QUR’ÃN: Allãh has made the strivers with their property and their persons to excel the holders back inrank, . : The sentence gives the reason why the two groups are not equal; that is why there is no conjunction etc., attached to it.ad-Darajah (اَلدَّرَجَةُ = degree, rank); ad-darajãt (اَلدَّرَجَاتُ = rank after rank; degree after degree). As for thephrase, and to each Allãh has promised good, it may refer to the two groups of the holders back and the strivers, or to all the three groups:

the holders back without any injury, the holders back because of an injury and the strivers in the way of Allãh. The word, “good”, is an adjective whose related noun is omitted; it may mean good outcome, good recompense or similar things. This sentence is put here to remove a possible misunderstanding: A holder back from among the believers - hearing the preceding declaration - could have thought that now he had nothing to his credit and that his faith and all other good deeds were now of no value at all. Allãh assures them that to each of them He has promisedgood .

QUR’ÃN: And Allãh has distinguished the strivers above the holders back (by) a great recompense: (high) degrees from Him and pardon and mercy . : This distinction and excellence explains in detail the distinction mentioned above. Also it contains another important message: The believers should not remain content with the good promise offered by the phrase: and to each Allãh has promised good; they should not be indolent in striving in the way of Allãh, should not neglect their duty in putting utmost effort to raise the word of truth and to erase the falsehood, because the strivers have been granted considerably great excellence and distinction above the holders back; they shall get very high degrees of forgiveness and mercy.

The verse contains a remarkable style:

First: The “strivers” have been qualified initially with the phrase: in Allãh's way with their property and their persons; then it has come down to, with their property and their persons; and finally they are mentioned without any qualification or restriction.

Second: Their distinction is described first in singular, rank or degree and then it goes to plural, “degrees from Him.”

Why?

As for the qualifications of the strivers, the verse aims at description of the distinction and excellence of jihãd on holding back.

Jihãd can only be of any value if it is done in the way of Allãh, not in the way of one's desires, by giving away the most precious thing, i.e., wealth and property, and sacrificing what is even dearer than that, i.e., one's person and life. That is why at the first opportunity it was fully explained with all details, those who strive hard in Allãh's way with their property and their persons, so that no room is left for any misunderstanding or doubt. When it was said, Allãh has made the strivers with their property and their persons to excel . there was actually no need to mention any qualifying phrase, because every thing had already been clarified; but as the sentence was to be followed by the phrase, and to each Allãh has promised good, it was appropriate to explain the reason of excellence and distinction, (i.e., spending the wealth and sacrificing the life in spite of their attraction); that is why only these two factors were used to qualify the strivers.

When the time came to say, “and Allãh has distinguished the strivers above the holders back (by) a great recompense,” there was no need to mention any attribute at all; not even partially. As for the change of singular 'rank' or 'degree' to the plural 'degrees', in the first, (Allãh has made the strivers . to excel the holders back in rank) the word darajah (دَرَجَةً = rank, degree) is accusative of specification, and it only describes that the excellence is in rank and degree, without going into detail as to whether the said degree is one or more. On the other hand, when it says: “and Allãh has distinguished the strivers . (by) a great recompense: (High) degrees from Him”, the word, 'distinguished', implies bestowal, and the word, “(High) degrees”, is in explicative apposition to the preceding “a great recompense”, or stand for it. The meaning:Allãh, has given the strivers a great recompense, distinguishing them over the holders back by a great reward, that is, the high degrees from Allãh. In short, the speech mentions at first only that the strivers excel the holders back in rank, without saying whether the rank is one or more; while the next sentence says that it is not a single rank, rather there are many degrees and ranks, and that it is the great recompense given to the strivers.

On a cursory glance, it may look as if there was some contradiction in mentioning the rank or degree in singular and then in plural. But the above explanation may remove any such misunderstanding. Many other exegetes have tried to explain this apparent contradiction, but almost all their explanations seem far-fetched. For example:

1. The singular describes their excellence over the holders back who are unfit to fight, while the plural shows the excellence over those not having any injury; 2. The singular indicates the worldly benefits, e.g., war-booty and high prestige etc., while the plural points to the ranks of the hereafter, which surely are much superior, as Allãh says: and certainly the hereafter is much greater in respect of degrees. (17:21)

3. The singular 'rank' shows their status in presence of Allãh which is a spiritual reality, while the plural indicates the grades of the Garden and its high ranks which is a phenomenal affair.

You may see for yourself that there is nothing in the Qur’ãnic text to support any of these explanations.

In the phrase, “(High) degrees from Him,” the pronoun 'Him' refers to Allãh, and this explanation is supported by the next words, “and pardon and mercy”, assuming that these words describe the degrees, and obviously pardon and mercy comes from Allãh. Alternatively, the pronoun may relate to the “great recompense” preceding it. [In this case, the translation will be changed to `High degrees from it.']

The words, “and pardon and mercy”, obviously describe the high degrees; the degrees, i.e, the ranks bestowed by Allãh, whatsoever their nature, are manifestation of divine pardon and mercy; and it has already been explained somewhere that the mercy, i.e, divine bestowal of bounties, depends on removal of all impediments and obstacles which might prevent one from receiving those bounties - and this removal of obstacles is the pardon. Now, each level of divine bounty and favour and each rank and status [is mercy in itself, but it also prepares man to receive still higher rank; in this way] it is 'pardon' when seen in relation to the next higher rank. It is therefore perfectly right to say that the ranks of the hereafter - whatever their nature - are divine pardon and mercy. In most places where mercy, bounty or similar realities are mentioned in the Qur’ãn, it is usually joined with pardon and forgiveness. For example: they shall have forgiveness and a mighty reward (5:9); and forgiveness and an honourable sustenance (8:4); they shall have forgiveness and a great reward (11:11); and forgiveness from Allãh and (His) pleasure (57:20); and forgive us and have mercy on us (2:286) . There are many such verses in the Qur’ãn.

The verse ends on the words: and Allãh is Forgiving, Merciful. Its appropriateness with the theme of the verse in quite clear, particularly as it ends on “pardon and mercy”.

QUR’ÃN: Surely (as for) those whom the angels cause to die while they are unjust to their souls: Tawaffãhum (تَوَفّاهُمُ ) translated here as “cause to die” is in aorist tense; in that case its original form is tatawaffãhum (تَتَوَفَّاهُمُ ) from which one “ta” (تَ ) has been removed for easy pronunciation. The complete form is given in 16:28: Those whom the angels cause to die while they are unjust to themselves. Then would they offer submission.

Alternatively the verb may be taken as a past tense.

As evidenced by this latter verse, the injustice mentioned here refers to the harm they had inflicted on themselves by turning away from the divine religion and neglecting to establish its practices - all because they lived in the midst of unbelievers, among polytheists, and had no means of learning the religion's tenets and implanting what the belief in Allãh's lordship demands. This may be clearly seen from the words: they shall say: “In what state were you?” They shall say: “We were weak in the earth”, . . [Read upto the end of the verse 100.]

Allãh has explained the adjective, 'unjust', (used without a qualifying word) in these words: . the curse of Allãh is on the unjust who hinder (people) from Allãh's way and seek to make it crooked . (7:44-45; 11:18.-19). These verses define the injustice as turning away from Allãh's way and seeking to make it crooked and altered. This definition fits on the theme of the verse under discussion.

QUR’ÃN: they shall say: “In what state were you” : That is: What was the state and condition of your religion?ma (مَ ) [in fīma فِيْمَ = in what] is the shortened form of mã (مَا = what) .

The verse points in a general way to the 'questioning in grave' as the traditions say: that the angels ask the dead person about his religion,This phenomenon is described also in another place: Those whom the angels cause to die while they are unjust to themselves. Then would they offer submission: “We used not to do an evil.” Aye! Surely Allãh knows what you were doing, Therefore enter the gates of hell, to abide therein; so certainly evil is the dwelling place of the proud. And it is said to those who are pious: “What is it that your Lord has revealed?” They say: “Good . .” (16 : 28-30).

QUR’ÃN: They shall say: “We were weak in the earth.” They shall say: “Was not Allãh's earth vast (enough), so that you should have emigrated therein?” . : The angels' first question. In what state were you? was an enquiry about their religious condition; but the position of the unjust persons in that respect was not satisfactory; therefore they, instead of giving direct answer, tried to explain the reason of their objectionable condition: that they lived in a place, [country or town] where they could not obey the dictates of religion, because its inhabitants were powerful polytheists who oppressed them and prevented them from learning the rules of sharī‘ah and acting upon them.

But their weakness - even if their claim was right - emanated from their abiding under the polytheists' sway, in a land under their domination. The enemies had no control or authority outside their boundary. Therefore, these 'weak' people were not really weak; they could easily have changed their condition by emigrating from that place. That is why the angels refuted their claim of weakness, reminding them that Allãh's earth was vast enough for them to go forth and be free from the polytheists' oppression; it was not beyond their power to leave the land of oppression andemigrate to some other place. They actually were not weak people as they could have removed the fetters of oppression from themselves. It was their own wrong choice which had put them in that bad state.

The question, “Was not Allãh's earth vast (enough) so that you should have migrated therein?” is for reprimand and rebuke, as is the first question, “In what state were you?” Alternatively this first question could be just an enquiry, because in the verses 28-30), of chapter 16 the same question has been addressed to the unjust and the pious ones. But in any case the second question is for reprimand.

The angels called the earth “Allãh's earth”; it may be a pointer to the fact that Allãh first gave this vastness to the Earth, and it was Iater that He called them to the faith and good deeds. The same idea may be inferred from the verse coming at the end: And whoever emigrates in Allãh's, way he will find in the earth many a place of refuge and abundant resources.

As the earth has been described as 'vast', the preposition 'in' has been used for emigration: “so that you should have emigrated therein,” i.e., migrated from one of its places to another. Had it not been vast enough, the phrase would have been, emigrated from it.

Then after this questioning, Allãh judged theircas e and said: So these it is whose abode is hell, and it is an evil resort.

QUR’ÃN: Except the weak ones from among the men and the women and the children who havenot in their power the means nor can they find a way (to escape): The exception is isolated. Allãh calls this group weak and their weakness is explained in this very verse. It proves that the previously mentioned unjust people were not weak because they could liberate themselves from the fetters of oppression by emigrating from that land. Weak in reality are these people mentioned in this verse. To mention them with such detail, “the men and the women and the children” makes the divine order clearer and removes all possible misunderstandings. Hīlah (حِيْلَةً = translated here as 'means') is derived from al-haylulah (اَلْحَيْلُوْتَةُ = to interpose, to come between); then it was used for a device which comes between a person and his goaI; it is mostly used for what is done secretly and for objectionable activity - artifice, ruse, subterfuge. Its root contains a connotation of change, as ar-Rãghib has written in his Mufradãtu '1-Qur’ãn.

The meaning: These people are unable to do anything to avert from themselves the oppression perpetrated against them by the polytheists; they cannot find a way to get out from the enemies' clutch. The 'way' in this context means the real path (e.g., the way to Medina for the intending emigrants from Mecca) as well as the metaphorical way, i.e., every means which could free them from the polytheists' hands and put an end to their oppression and tyranny.

ON THE “WEAK ONES”

The verse shows that ignorance of religious tenets is a valid excuse in Allãh's eyes, provided it is caused by such inadequacy and weakness which were not contributed to by the ignorant person himself.

Allãh says that ignorance of religion and inability to establish religious rites and tenets is an inequity which will not be forgiven by Him. Then He makes an exception of the weak persons and accepts their plea of 'weakness', and defines that weakness in a way which includes others too: that is, they are unable to avert the danger from themselves. Now, this inability manifests itself in two ways:

One: A man lives in a place where he does not have access to religious knowledge because there is no scholar there who could teach him the necessary details; or he is unable to act according to sharī‘ah because the enemies forcefully prevent him from it and put him under unbearable torture and oppression; and he cannot leave that place to emigrate to a Muslim land and join his fellow Muslims. As a result, this inability may emanate from weakness of mind, sickness physical handicap, lack of money or other such factors.

Two: A man is oblivious of the established truth of the religion and its tenets, and his thoughts have not led him to it, but at the same time he has no enmity towards truth, is not averse to it at all; if he knew the reality he would have readily accepted it; but the truth has remained hidden from him because of some factors [and, therefore, he does not know it].

This too is a 'weak' person who does not have a means and does not find a way to escape from his ignorance - not because of any enemies who might be threatening him from all sides with swords and spears - but because of other factors which have overpowered his thinking and put him under oblivion. Obviously, with this oblivion he has no power and with this ignorance he cannot find a way to the truth.

This explanation is based on the generality of the verse which shows that the given cause is unrestricted [and covers cases of unavoidable ignorance and oblivion]. The theme is supported by some other verses too. For example: Allãh does not impose upon any soul a duty but to the extent of its ability; for it is (the benefit of) what it has earned, and upon it is (the evil of) what it has wrought (2:286). Obviously, a thing, which one is unaware of, is beyond one's ability in the same way as is a thing which one is forcefully prevented from.

This verse of the second chapter absolves one from responsibility in cases of lack of ability, and at the same time lays down a criterion for distinguishing a genuine inability from a false one. That is, the man should not have contributed towards that inability; if his total or partial ignorance of religion emanates from his own negligence or wrong choice then he should be held responsible for it. In other words, it is he who has committed that sin. On the other hand, if that ignorance is caused - not byhis own actions - but by some factors beyond his power, then it cannot be attributed to his own choice - he cannot be accused of committing a sin, or of being arrogant; he has not opposed the truth nor has he rejected it intentionally. In short, for him is what he has earned, and upon him is what he has wrought.

It appears from the above, that a 'weak' person is empty-handed. There is nothing for or against him in his account, because he has not earned anything. His judgement is in the hands of his Lord. This is clear from the next verse: So these it may be, Allãh will pardon them and Allãh is Pardoning, Forgiving; and from the verse 106 of ch. 9: And others are made to await Allãh's command, whether He will turn to them (in mercy); and Allãh isKnowing , Wise. And His mercy is ahead of His wrath.

QUR’ÃN: So these, it may be, Allãh will pardonthem, . : The weak ones have not earned any sin, because they were unable to remove their ignorance. Yet, as explained before man's affairs are either good or evil, and it is enough for one's infelicity if one does not earn good for himself. Man, whether he is good, evil or just empty-handed, can never be free from the need of Allãh's pardon and forgiveness; it is this divine pardoning which erases the traces of evil and infelicity. That is why Allãh has offered them here a hope of pardon.

First the hope is offered to them of being pardoned, and it is immediately followed by the declaration: and Allãh is Pardoning, Forgiving. It makes it almost definite that the divine forgiveness will cover them [on the day of judgement], as they have been separated, through exception, from the unjust ones who have been threatened that their abode is hell and it is evil resort.

QUR’ÃN: And whoever emigrates in Allãh's way, he will find in the earth many a place of refuge and abundant resources: ar-Rãghib has written: “ar-Raghãm (اَلرَّغَام = fine dust or soil); [they say] his nose fell in the dust, or someone rubbed his nose in dust; it is an idiom to show displeasure. A poet says:

When those noses are rubbed in dust, I do not (try to) please them, No do I seek their pardon; rather I increase their displeasure.

As the word is placed in opposition to seeking pleasure, it shows that rubbing nose in dust means to enrage, to embitter. That is why it is said: May Allãh rub his nose in dust [i.e., May Allãh cause him to be indignant]; arghamahū (اَرْغَمَهُ = he made him angry); rãghamahu (رَاغَمَهُ = They both tried to spite each other); then almurãghamah (اَلْمُرَاغَمَةُ ) was taken to mean “to quarrel with each other”. Allãh says: “He will find in the earth many a murãghaman مُرَاغَمًا) )”, that is, ways and paths which he might use and if he saw something undesirable he would feel indignant; as you say: “I was displeased to so-and-so from such and such, [i.e., I did not like that thing so I turned to so-and-so to express my displeasure].”

The meaning is therefore as follows: And whoever emigrates in Allãh's way (i.e., seeking His pleasure by full involvement with religion in theory and practice), he will find in the earth many places, so that if someone prevents him in one place from following the religious tenets he would turn and emigrate to another place, thus rubbing the adversary's nose in dust and letting him be embittered and angry. [It is to convey this connotation that we have translated murãghaman as place of refuge.] And he will find abundance of resources in those new places.

Earlier, the angels had asked: Was not Allãh's earth vast (enough), so that you should have emigrated therein? As the verse under discussion is based on it, it would apparently look appropriate to say, 'And whoever emigrates, he will find in the earth abundant resources.' But as Allãh has added “many a place of refuge”, and this refuge was of importance to a person who wanted to proceed in the way of Allãh, the migration too was qualified by the phrase, “in Allãh's way”; thus the whole verse is perfectly integrated and well-adapted to the main theme, i.e., admonishing the believers living in polytheists' midst, exhorting them to emigrate in the way of Allãh, and assuring them of abundant, resources if they emigrated.

QUR’ÃN: and whoever goes forth from his house emigrating to Allãh and His Messenger . Forgiving, Merciful: Emigration to Allãh and His Messenger stands for emigrating to the place of Islam, where one can learn the Book of Allãh and the sunnah of His Messenger, and act accordingly. The phrase: “death overtakes him”, is an extended metaphor alluding to occurrence of death or sudden death. 'Overtaking' creates a mental image of a person pursuing another until he catches up with him. Likewise, the words, “his reward is surely incumbent on Allãh”, literally mean, his reward has surely fallen on Allãh; this too is an extended metaphor alluding to the meaning given in the translation. There is certainly good reward and abundant recompense offered to the servant; and Allãh will deal with him in His divinity, forWhom nothing is difficult, nothing is formidable; whatever He wills happens; and whatever He promises is fulfilled. The speech ends on the phrase, “and Allãh is forgiving, Merciful”. It emphasizes the good promise to assure them of full reward and recompense.

In these verses, Allãh has divided those who claim to be believers into various groups according to their residence in the place of Islam or that of polytheism; and has described the appropriate recompense for each. The aim is first to admonish and warn, then to encourage and exhort them toemigrate to the land of Islam and assemble therein in order to strengthen the Islamic society. Thus they shall be able to unite and cooperate with each other in righteousness and piety, to bring up the word of truth and raise the standard of tawhīd and flag of the religion.

The first main group was of the believers who lived in the land of Islam: among them were those who strived hard in the way of Allãh with their property and their souls. Then there were those who held back without any injury or disability; and finally those who held back because of disabling injury. Allãh promised good to each sub-group, but He made the strivers to excel the holders back in ranks.

Another main group is of those who stayed in the land of polytheism; it is an unjust group which does not emigrate in the way of Allãh; its abode is the hell and it is an evil resort. There is another sub-group of truly weak man, women and children, which is not unjust, they have no means nor do they find any way to escape; and lastly there are those who were not weak, they went forth from their houses emigrating to Allãh and His Messenger, but were overtaken by death; their reward is surely incumbent upon Allãh.

The verses, with all the classifications, are applicable to the Muslims in all eras and periods, although, to begin with, they were revealed to describe the Muslims' condition in Arabia during the Prophet's time between his' emigration to Medina and the conquest of Mecca. The land was divided inthose day in two parts:

1. Dãru 'l-Islãm (دَارُالاِسْلَام = the House of Islam) that is, Medina and the neighbouring regions, dominated by the Muslims (who had complete freedom to observe their religion). Of course, there were some polytheists and followers of other religions too in that land, but they did not interfere with the Muslims because of various agreements, etc., they had with them.

2. Dãru 'sh-shirk (دَارُالشِرْك = the House of polytheism) that is, Mecca and its neighbouring regions, dominated by the polytheists who persisted in idol-worship and prevented those Muslims who lived in their midst from following their religion; they oppressed and tortured those Muslims and put them under utmost pressure hoping to turn them away from Islam.

The principle laid down in these verses provides guidance to the Muslims for all times to come. A Muslim is required to live in a place where he can acquire the knowledge of Islamic tenets and beliefs, can perform religious ceremonies and follow thesharī‘ahs commands and rules. He must emigrate from a country where he is unable to learn religion's realities and finds no way to live according to Islamic principles. It makes no difference whether today that country is called Dãru 'l-Islãm or Dãru 'sh-Shirk, because these days the names have changed, the actual meanings have been discarded, religion is just a citizenship and Islam merely a name - without caring whether one called Muslim actually believes in its reality and follows its rules or not.

But according to the Qur’ãn, results emanate from the reality of Islam, not its name; and it obliges the Muslims to follow the spirit of its rules, not merely the letters. Allãh says: This shall not be in accordance with your vain desires nor in accordance with the vain desires of the People of the Book; whoever does evil he shall be required with it, and besides Allãh he will find for himself neither a guardian nor a helper. And whoever does good deeds whether male or female, and he is a believer - these shall enter the garden and they shall not be dealt with a jot unjustly (4:123-124). Surely those who believe and those who are Jews and the Christians, and the Sabaeans, whoever believes in Allãh and the Last Day and doesgood , they shall have their reward from their Lord and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve (2: 62).

TRADITIONS

Ibn Jarīr, Ibnu 'l-Mundhir, Ibn Abī Hãtim, Ibn Marduwayh and al-Bayhaqī (in his as-Sunan) have narrated from Ibn ‘Abbãs that he said: “A group of Meccans had accepted Islam, but they kept it secret. The polytheists brought them out [i.e., forced them to come out] with them on the day of Badr; some were afflicted, other were killed. The Muslims said: 'These our companions were Muslims and were forced; so let us pray for their forgiveness.' Then the verse was revealed: Surely (as for) those whom the angels cause to die while they are unjust to their souls .“ He further said: “This verse was then written to those Muslims who were still at Mecca, that they had no excuse (to remain there). So they came out, but the polytheists over-took and harried them [so they returned to Mecca]. Then was revealed the verse: And among men is he who says: “W e believe in Allãh;” but when he is persecuted in (the way of) Allãh, he thinks the persecution of men to be as the chastisement of Allãh; . (29:10) The Muslims wrote it to them; so they were afflicted with grief and lost hope of every good. Thereupon the verse was revealed: Yet surelyyour Lord, with respect to those who emigrate after they are persecuted, then they struggle hard and are patient, surely your Lord after that is Forgiving, Merciful (16:110). The Muslims again wrote to them about it that Allãh has made for you a way out, so come away (from Mecca). They came out, the polytheists (again) overtook them, but the Muslims (this time) fought with them until was saved who was saved and was killed who was killed.” (ad-Durru 'l-manthūr)

Ibn Jarīr and Ibn Abī Hãtim have narrated from ad-Dahhãk about this verse that he said: “They were some hypocrites who remained behind the Messenger of Allãh (s.a.w.a.) at Mecca and did notemigrate with him to Medina; thereafter they came out with Qurayshite idol-worshippers to Badr, and were afflicted in the battle with [other polytheists]. Then Allãh revealed this verse about them.”(ibid.)

Ibn Jarīr has narrated from Ibn Zayd about this verse that he said: “When the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was sent and the (true) faith appeared and spread, hypocrisy too spread side by side. Some people came to the Messenger of Allãh (s.a.w.a.) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allãh! If we were not afraid of these people that they would torment us and would do and do [unbearable things to us], we would have accepted Islam [openly]; nevertheless we bear witness that there is no god except Allãh and that you are the Messenger of Allãh.' They used to say this to him. When the day of Badr came the polytheists stood up [to fight] and said: 'No one will remain behind from us but that we shall demolish his house and seize his property.' [Hearing it,] those people too went forth (with polytheists) who used to say those words to the Prophet (s.a.w.a.); some of them were killed; some others were taken prisoners.”

Then (Ibn Zayd) said: “As for those who were killed, they were those about whom Allãh has said: Surely (as for) those whom the angels cause to die while they are unjust to their souls . Was not Allãh's earth vast (enough) so that you should have emigrated therein - leaving these oppressors behind? So these it is whose abode is hell and it is an evil resort.

“Then Allãh excused those with genuine inability and said: Except the weak ones from among the men and the women and the children who have not in their power the means nor can they find a way where they can head to; if they went forth they would be destroyed, so these it may be Allãh will pardon them their staying in the midst of idol-worshippers.

“As for those who were captured, they said: ‘O Messenger of Allãh: you know that we used to come to you and bear witness that there was no god except Allãh and that you were His Messenger; yet we had to come out with these people fearing (their reprisals)' Allãh said: O Prophet! say to those of the captives who are in your hands: “If Allãh knows anything good in your hearts He will give to you better than that which has been taken away from you and will forgive you the misdeed you have done”; i.e., your coming out with the polytheists against the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) . And if they intend to act unfaithfully towards you, so indeed they acted unfaithfully towards Allãh before - when they joined the polytheists in coming out - but He gave (you) mastery over them.” (8:70-71)

‘Abd ibn Hamīd, Ibn Abī Hãtim and Ibn Jarīr have narrated from ‘Ikrimah about the verse, Surely (as for) those whom the angels cause to die while they are unjust to their souls . and it is an evil resort, that he said: “It was revealed about Qays ibn al-Fãkih ibn al- Mughīrah al-Hãrith ibn Zam‘ah ibn al-Aswad, Qays ibn al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah, Abu ’l-‘Ãs ibn Munabbih ibn al-Hajjãj and ‘Alī ibn Umayyah ibn Khalaf.” He further said: “When the polytheists of Quraysh and their followers went forth to protect Abū Sufyãn ibn Harb and the caravan of the Quraysh from the Messenger of Allãh (s.a.w.a.) and his companions and also intending to take revenge of what they had suffered at Nakhlah; they took with them some youths who were unwilling (to join them as) they had (secretly) accepted Islam. They faced the Muslims at Badr without prior rendezvous. So (those youths) were killed at Badr while they were kãfirs and have turned away from Islam; and they were those we have named above.”(ibid.)

The author says: There are a lot of traditions, from the Sunnī sources, of the same theme. Apparently all these are attempts to apply the verses to some suitable incidents, yet it is a good application. The most important information gleaned from these traditions as well as from meditating on the said verses is the existence of hypocrites in Mecca [even] before hijrah as well as after it. This fact has a direct bearing on discussion about the hypocrites as will be seen in the chapter of' “Repentance”, God willing.

Ibn Jarīr, Ibnu 'l-Mundhir and Ibn Abī Hãtim have narrated from Ibn ‘Abbãs that he said: “There was a man, Damrah from Banū Bakr, who was [very] sick. He told hispeople, 'Take me out of Mecca, because I find it hot (here). 'They said: 'Where should we take you to?' He indicated with his hand towards the way of Medina. They took him out but he expired at (only) two miles from Mecca. Then this verse was revealed: And whoever goes forth from his house emigrating to Allãh and His Messenger, and then death overtakes him .“ ( ibid.)

The author says: There are many traditions of similar theme, but there is much discrepancy about identity of the believer who expired in the way. Various traditions name him as Damrah ibn Jundab, Aktham ibn Sayfī, Abū Damrah ibn al-‘Īs az-Zurqī, Damrah ibn al-‘Īs al-Laythī and Junda‘ ibn Damrah al-Junda‘ī. Some traditions say that it was revealed about Khãlid ibn Hizãm who went out intending toemigrate to Ethiopia, and was bitten by a snake on the way and died.

Some traditions narrate from Ibn ‘Abbãs that it was Aktham ibn Sayfī. The narrator asked him: “Then where is al-Laythī?” Ibn ‘Abbãs said: “It was before al-Laythī, and it is particular (and) general.”

The author says: That is, the verse was revealed for Aktham in particular,then it is applied to others in general. It may be gleaned from the traditions that three Muslims had met their death while on their way to hijrah: Aktham ibn Sayfī, al-Laythī and Khãlid ibn Hizãm. But [it is difficult] to pinpoint as to whom the verse was revealed about; and the traditions are probably the narrators' attempts to apply the verse to this or that person.

Zurãrah says: “I asked AbūJa‘far (a.s.) about the mustad‘af (اَلْمُسْتَضْعَف = weak, weakened). He said: 'He is the one who does not have a means to disbelief (that he may disbelieve), nor does he find a way to belief; he is unable to believe and unable to reject (the belief); among them are the children as well as those men and women whose understanding is like that of the children; they are freed from responsibility.” (al-Kãfī )

The author says: The tradition is extensively narrated from Zurãrah; al-Kulaynī, as-Sadūq and al-‘Ayyãshī have narrated it from him through numerous chains.

al-Kulaynī narrated through his links from Ismã‘īl al-Ju‘fī that he said: “I asked Abū Ja‘far (a.s.) about the religion which no one can afford to be ignorant of. He said: 'The religion is spacious, but the Khãrijites, as a result of their ignorance, have cramped it for themselves.' I said: 'May I be your ransom!should I then relate to you the religion which I follow? He said: 'Yes.' So I said: 'I bear witness that there is no god except Allãh, and Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger; and I acknowledge (and believe in) what he has brought from Allãh, the High; and I love you and I keep away from your enemies and those who oppressed you and [wrongfully] became your rulers and usurped your rights.' He said: 'By Allãh you have not overlooked anything. It is, by Allãh!the [religion] we are on.' Then I said: 'Can someone not knowing this matter be saved?' He said: '[None]except the weak ones.' I said: 'Who are they?' He said: 'Your women and your children.' Then he said: 'Had you seen Umm Ayman? I bear witness that she was from the people of the garden, but she did not know [in such detail the religion] you are on.”(ibid.)

Sulaymãn ibn Khãlid narrates that he asked AbūJa‘far (a.s.) about the weak ones. The Imãm (a.s.) said: “A simple-minded woman in her private room; a slave-girl that you tell her to pray and she prays, she does not know except what you tell her; a foreign slave who does not understand except what you tell him; an aged old man; a child, a small boy: these are the weak ones. But a thick-necked man, disputatious (and) antagonist, who deals in sale and purchase,whom you cannot tire in anything: Will you say, he is weak? No; by no means.” (at-Tafsīr , al-‘Ayyãshī)

Sulaymãn has narrated from as-Sãdiq (a.s .) that he said about this verse: “O Sulaymãn! In these weak ones there are those who have thicker necks than yours. Weak are the people who fast and pray, keep their stomachs and genitals away [from forbidden things]; they do not believe that the right is with our adversaries; they are holding the tree's branches; these are that Allãh may pardon them if they keep the hold of the tree's branches and know those. Then if Allãh pardons them it will be by His mercy, and if He punishes them it will be because of their error.” (Ma‘ãni 'l-akhbãr)

The author says: The words, “they do not believe that the right is with our adversaries”, mean that they do not have ill-feelings towards us, or that such ideas are not based on their own negligence, as is clear from the following traditions.

as-Sãdiq (a.s.) has said that weak ones are of many kinds, differing among themselves; and anyone among the People of the Qiblah (i.e., Muslims) who is not immical to us, is mustad‘af, weak.(ibid.)

as-Sãdiq (a.s.) said explaining this verse:“ 'who have not in their power the means' to our enmity, so that they could have got ill-feelings [towards us], 'nor can they find a way' to the truth, that they could come on the right path; they will enter the garden because of their good deeds and their abstaining from the unlawful things forbidden by Allãh, but they will not get the rank of the righteous ones.” (ibid.; at-Tafsīr, al-‘Ayyãshī)

Durays al-Kunãsī narrates that he said to AbūJa‘far (a.s.): “May I be made your ransom! Whatis the condition of those who believe in the One God and the prophethood of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.), who have committed sins and die without believing in an imãm and do not know about your love and obedience?” He said: “As for these, they shall remain in their graves, and not come out; whoever (among them) had done good deeds and did not show any animosity [towards us], a tunnal will be opened for him to the garden which Allãh has created in the west; thus refreshing breeze will continue reaching him in his grave upto the Day of Resurrection until he comes before Allãh; He will take account of his good and evil, then he will go either to the paradise or to the fire. These are they who depend on the decision of Allãh. “Then he (a.s .) said: “And likewise is done to the weak ones, the idiots, the children and the minor children of the Muslims. And as for [our] antagonists among the People of the Qiblah, a tunnel is dug for them to the fire which Allãh has created in the east, and will reach to him the flames, sparks, smoke and the hell's out-bursts upto the Day of Resurrection; then their destination is the hell.” (at-Tafsīr , al-Qummī)

as-Sãdiq (a.s.) narrates from his father, from his and father, from ‘Alī (a.s.) that he said: “Surely the Garden has eight gates: from one gate will enter the Prophets and the Truthful ones; from another gate will enter the Witnesses and the Good servants; and from five gates will enter our Shī‘ahs and lovers; . and from [the eighth] gate will enter all the Muslims who bear witness that there is no god but Allãh and in whose heart there is not an atom's weight of animosity towards us, the Ahlu 'l-bayt (a.s.). (al-Khisãl )

Humrãn narrates: “I asked Abū ‘Abdillãh (a.s .) about the word of Allãh: Except the weak ones. He said: 'They are the People of alwilãyah (اَلْوِلَايَة = friendship, authority, power, guardianship.)' I said:

'Which wilãyah' He said: 'It is not the wilãyah in religion, but the wilãyah in marrying each other, inheriting from each other and mixing with each other; they are neither believers nor kãfirs, they are the ones made to await Allãh's command.” (Ma‘ãni 'l-akhbãr; at-Tafsīr, al-‘Ayyãshī)

The author says: It refers to the verse: And others are made to await Allãh's command, whether He will chastise them or whether He will turn to them (in mercy) . (9:106)

‘Alī (a.s.) said: “The name of weakness is not used for him to whom the proof has reached, and his ears heard it and his heart understood it.” (Nahju 'l-balãghah)

al-Kãzzim (a.s.) was asked about the weak ones. He (a.s .) wrote: “The weak is he to whom proof has not been conveyed and who is unaware of [religious] difference. But he is nomore weak once he knew the difference.” (al-Kãfī )

as-Sãdiq (a.s.) was asked: “What do you say about the weak ones” He replied in a dismayed manner, 'Have you left anyone who could be called weak? Where are the weak onesBecause , by Allãh!this affair of yours [i.e., Shī‘ite faith] has been taken by ladies in their boudoirs to other ladies, and have discussed it the water-carriers in the streets of Medina.”(ibid.)

‘Umar ibn Ishãq says: “Abū ‘Abdillãh (a.s.) was asked as to what was the definition of the weak which has been mentioned by Allãh. He said: 'He who does not properly recite any of the Qur’ãnic chapters, while Allãh has created it in such a way that no one should fail to recite it properly.”' (Ma‘ãni '1-akhbãr)

The author says: There are several other Traditions; but what has been quoted above covers all the themes mentioned therein. Although the traditions apparently seem to differ with one another, yet if we overlook the particulars which throw light on various degrees of weakness, all of them jointly prove one fact which the generality of the verse shows: that weakness means not finding one's way to the right path - without any negligence on one's own part.

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