Quran Verses about Jihad
These verses praise those who strive in Allah's way with their wealth and their lives, say that those killed in Allah's way are alive with their Lord, excuse the weak, the sick and those without means, and also use the word jihad for striving to seek Allah's pleasure, including striving with the Quran. Fighting was permitted to those who were fought because they were wronged, then prescribed though disliked, with the command to fight those who fight without transgressing limits, to stop if they stop, to accept peace if they incline to it, and to honour treaties with those who do not break them. Surah At-Tawbah commands fighting the polytheists once the sacred months of safety granted to them are over, and leaving them be if they repent, except those who kept their treaty, and granting protection to any who ask for it; it also commands fighting those who broke their oaths and began hostilities, and the People of the Book who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, until they pay the jizyah.
Striving with wealth and life
لَّا يَسۡتَوِي ٱلۡقَٰعِدُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ غَيۡرُ أُوْلِي ٱلضَّرَرِ وَٱلۡمُجَٰهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡۚ فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُجَٰهِدِينَ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡقَٰعِدِينَ دَرَجَةٗۚ وَكُلّٗا وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ وَفَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُجَٰهِدِينَ عَلَى ٱلۡقَٰعِدِينَ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمٗا ٩٥
Lā yastawil-qāʿidūna minal-muʾminīna ghayru uliḍ-ḍarari wal-mujāhidūna fī sabīlillāhi biʾamwālihim wa anfusihim, faḍḍalallāhul-mujāhidīna biʾamwālihim wa anfusihim ʿalal-qāʿidīna darajah, wa kullaw waʿadallāhul-ḥusnā, wa faḍḍalallāhul-mujāhidīna ʿalal-qāʿidīna ajran ʿaẓīmā.
Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujāhideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allāh with their wealth and their lives. Allāh has preferred the mujāhideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to all [i.e., both] Allāh has promised the best [reward]. But Allāh has preferred the mujāhideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward -
دَرَجَٰتٖ مِّنۡهُ وَمَغۡفِرَةٗ وَرَحۡمَةٗۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورٗا رَّحِيمًا ٩٦
Darajātim minhu wa maghfirataw wa raḥmah, wa kānallāhu ghafūrar raḥīmā.
Degrees [of high position] from Him and forgiveness and mercy. And Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَٰهَدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡ أَعۡظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِۚ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَآئِزُونَ ٢٠
Al-ladhīna āmanū wa hājarū wa jāhadū fī sabīlillāhi biʾamwālihim wa anfusihim aʿẓamu darajatan ʿindallāh, wa ulāʾika humul-fāʾizūn.
The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allāh with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allāh. And it is those who are the attainers [of success].
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱشۡتَرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَأَمۡوَٰلَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلۡجَنَّةَۚ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَقۡتُلُونَ وَيُقۡتَلُونَۖ وَعۡدًا عَلَيۡهِ حَقّٗا فِي ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةِ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلِ وَٱلۡقُرۡءَانِۚ وَمَنۡ أَوۡفَىٰ بِعَهۡدِهِۦ مِنَ ٱللَّهِۚ فَٱسۡتَبۡشِرُواْ بِبَيۡعِكُمُ ٱلَّذِي بَايَعۡتُم بِهِۦۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ ١١١
Innallāhashtarā minal-muʾminīna anfusahum wa amwālahum biʾanna lahumul-jannah, yuqātilūna fī sabīlillāhi fayaqtulūna wa yuqtalūn, waʿdan ʿalayhi ḥaqqan fit-tawrāti wal-injīli wal-qurʾān, wa man awfā biʿahdihī minallāh, fastabshirū bibayʿikumul-ladhī bāyaʿtum bih, wa dhālika huwal-fawzul-ʿaẓīm.
Indeed, Allāh has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allāh, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’ān. And who is truer to his covenant than Allāh? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.
إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَرۡتَابُواْ وَجَٰهَدُواْ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصَّٰدِقُونَ ١٥
Innamal-muʾminūnal-ladhīna āmanū billāhi wa rasūlihī thumma lam yartābū wa jāhadū biʾamwālihim wa anfusihim fī sabīlillāh, ulāʾika humuṣ-ṣādiqūn.
The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allāh and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allāh. It is those who are the truthful.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ هَلۡ أَدُلُّكُمۡ عَلَىٰ تِجَٰرَةٖ تُنجِيكُم مِّنۡ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٖ ١٠
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū hal adullukum ʿalā tijāratin tunjīkum min ʿadhābin alīm.
O you who have believed, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment?
تُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُجَٰهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمۡوَٰلِكُمۡ وَأَنفُسِكُمۡۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ ١١
Tuʾminūna billāhi wa rasūlihī wa tujāhidūna fī sabīlillāhi biʾamwālikum wa anfusikum, dhālikum khayrul lakum in kuntum taʿlamūn.
[It is that] you believe in Allāh and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allāh with your wealth and your lives. That is best for you, if you only knew.
Permission and obligation to fight, and not transgressing limits
وَقَٰتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقَٰتِلُونَكُمۡ وَلَا تَعۡتَدُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُعۡتَدِينَ ١٩٠
Wa qātilū fī sabīlillāhil-ladhīna yuqātilūnakum wa lā taʿtadū, innallāha lā yuḥibbul-muʿtadīn.
Fight in the way of Allāh those who fight against you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allāh does not like transgressors.
وَٱقۡتُلُوهُمۡ حَيۡثُ ثَقِفۡتُمُوهُمۡ وَأَخۡرِجُوهُم مِّنۡ حَيۡثُ أَخۡرَجُوكُمۡۚ وَٱلۡفِتۡنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ ٱلۡقَتۡلِۚ وَلَا تُقَٰتِلُوهُمۡ عِندَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ حَتَّىٰ يُقَٰتِلُوكُمۡ فِيهِۖ فَإِن قَٰتَلُوكُمۡ فَٱقۡتُلُوهُمۡۗ كَذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ ١٩١
Waqtulūhum ḥaythu thaqiftumūhum wa akhrijūhum min ḥaythu akhrajūkum, wal-fitnatu ashaddu minal-qatl, wa lā tuqātilūhum ʿindal-masjidil-ḥarāmi ḥattā yuqātilūkum fīh, fa in qātalūkum faqtulūhum, kadhālika jazāʾul-kāfirīn.
And kill them [in battle] wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah1 is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al-Ḥarām until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
Footnotes (1)
- Among the meanings of fitnah are disbelief and its imposition on others, discord, dissension, civil strife, persecution, oppression, injustice, seduction, terrorism, trial and torment.
فَإِنِ ٱنتَهَوۡاْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ ١٩٢
Fa inintahaw fa innallāha ghafūrur raḥīm.
And if they cease, then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَقَٰتِلُوهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتۡنَةٞ وَيَكُونَ ٱلدِّينُ لِلَّهِۖ فَإِنِ ٱنتَهَوۡاْ فَلَا عُدۡوَٰنَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ ١٩٣
Wa qātilūhum ḥattā lā takūna fitnatuw wa yakūnad-dīnu lillāh, fa inintahaw falā ʿudwāna illā ʿalaẓ-ẓālimīn.
Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] religion [i.e., worship] is [acknowledged to be] for Allāh. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression [i.e., assault] except against the oppressors.
ٱلشَّهۡرُ ٱلۡحَرَامُ بِٱلشَّهۡرِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ وَٱلۡحُرُمَٰتُ قِصَاصٞۚ فَمَنِ ٱعۡتَدَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَٱعۡتَدُواْ عَلَيۡهِ بِمِثۡلِ مَا ٱعۡتَدَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ١٩٤
Ash-shahrul-ḥarāmu bish-shahril-ḥarāmi wal-ḥurumātu qiṣāṣ, famaniʿtadā ʿalaykum faʿtadū ʿalayhi bimithli maʿtadā ʿalaykum, wattaqullāha waʿlamū annallāha maʿal-muttaqīn.
[Battle in] the sacred month is for [aggression committed in] the sacred month,1 and for [all] violations is legal retribution. So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allāh and know that Allāh is with those who fear Him.
Footnotes (1)
- The sacred months are Dhul-Qaʿdah, Dhul-Ḥijjah, Muḥarram and Rajab.
كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرۡهٞ لَّكُمۡۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكۡرَهُواْ شَيۡـٔٗا وَهُوَ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّواْ شَيۡـٔٗا وَهُوَ شَرّٞ لَّكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ ٢١٦
Kutiba ʿalaykumul-qitālu wa huwa kurhul lakum, wa ʿasā an takrahū shayʾaw wa huwa khayrul lakum, wa ʿasā an tuḥibbū shayʾaw wa huwa sharrul lakum, wallāhu yaʿlamu wa antum lā taʿlamūn.
Battle has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allāh knows, while you know not.
يَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلشَّهۡرِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ قِتَالٖ فِيهِۖ قُلۡ قِتَالٞ فِيهِ كَبِيرٞۚ وَصَدٌّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَكُفۡرُۢ بِهِۦ وَٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ وَإِخۡرَاجُ أَهۡلِهِۦ مِنۡهُ أَكۡبَرُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِۚ وَٱلۡفِتۡنَةُ أَكۡبَرُ مِنَ ٱلۡقَتۡلِۗ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ يُقَٰتِلُونَكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ يَرُدُّوكُمۡ عَن دِينِكُمۡ إِنِ ٱسۡتَطَٰعُواْۚ وَمَن يَرۡتَدِدۡ مِنكُمۡ عَن دِينِهِۦ فَيَمُتۡ وَهُوَ كَافِرٞ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَٰلُهُمۡ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ ٢١٧
Yasʾalūnaka ʿanish-shahril-ḥarāmi qitālin fīh, qul qitālun fīhi kabīr, wa ṣaddun ʿan sabīlillāhi wa kufrum bihī wal-masjidil-ḥarāmi wa ikhrāju ahlihī minhu akbaru ʿindallāh, wal-fitnatu akbaru minal-qatl, wa lā yazālūna yuqātilūnakum ḥattā yaruddūkum ʿan dīnikum inistaṭāʿū, wa may yartadid minkum ʿan dīnihī fayamut wa huwa kāfirun fa ulāʾika ḥabiṭat aʿmāluhum fid-dunyā wal-ākhirah, wa ulāʾika aṣḥābun-nār, hum fīhā khālidūn.
They ask you about the sacred month1 - about fighting therein. Say, "Fighting therein is great [sin], but averting [people] from the way of Allāh and disbelief in Him and [preventing access to] al-Masjid al-Ḥarām and the expulsion of its people therefrom are greater [evil] in the sight of Allāh. And fitnah2 is greater than killing." And they will continue to fight you until they turn you back from your religion if they are able. And whoever of you reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever - for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
Footnotes (2)
- See footnote to 2:194.
- See footnote to 2:191.
وَمَا لَكُمۡ لَا تُقَٰتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡمُسۡتَضۡعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلۡوِلۡدَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَخۡرِجۡنَا مِنۡ هَٰذِهِ ٱلۡقَرۡيَةِ ٱلظَّالِمِ أَهۡلُهَا وَٱجۡعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيّٗا وَٱجۡعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا ٧٥
Wa mā lakum lā tuqātilūna fī sabīlillāhi wal-mustaḍʿafīna minar-rijāli wan-nisāʾi wal-wildānil-ladhīna yaqūlūna rabbanā akhrijnā min hādhihil-qaryatiẓ-ẓālimi ahluhā wajʿal lanā mil ladunka waliyyaw wajʿal lanā mil ladunka naṣīrā.
And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allāh and [for] the oppressed among men, women and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper"?
فَقَٰتِلۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُكَلَّفُ إِلَّا نَفۡسَكَۚ وَحَرِّضِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَۖ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَكُفَّ بَأۡسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَشَدُّ بَأۡسٗا وَأَشَدُّ تَنكِيلٗا ٨٤
Faqātil fī sabīlillāhi lā tukallafu illā nafsak, wa ḥarriḍil-muʾminīn, ʿasallāhu ay yakuffa baʾsal-ladhīna kafarū, wallāhu ashaddu baʾsaw wa ashaddu tankīlā.
So fight, [O Muḥammad], in the cause of Allāh; you are not held responsible except for yourself. And encourage the believers [to join you] that perhaps Allāh will restrain the [military] might of those who disbelieve. And Allāh is greater in might and stronger in [exemplary] punishment.1
Footnotes (1)
- Allāh is able to defeat them in such a way as to deter others from attempting anything similar.
قَٰتِلُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَلَا بِٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَلَا يُحَرِّمُونَ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَلَا يَدِينُونَ دِينَ ٱلۡحَقِّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ حَتَّىٰ يُعۡطُواْ ٱلۡجِزۡيَةَ عَن يَدٖ وَهُمۡ صَٰغِرُونَ ٢٩
Qātilul-ladhīna lā yuʾminūna billāhi wa lā bil-yawmil-ākhiri wa lā yuḥarrimūna mā ḥarramallāhu wa rasūluhū wa lā yadīnūna dīnal-ḥaqqi minal-ladhīna ūtul-kitāba ḥattā yuʿṭul-jizyata ʿay yadiw wa hum ṣāghirūn.
Fight against those who do not believe in Allāh or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allāh and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth [i.e., Islām] from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah1 willingly while they are humbled.
Footnotes (1)
- A tax required of non-Muslims exempting them from military service and entitling them to the protection of the Islāmic state. Concurrently, zakāh is not taken from them, being an obligation only upon Muslims.
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثۡنَا عَشَرَ شَهۡرٗا فِي كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوۡمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۡهَآ أَرۡبَعَةٌ حُرُمٞۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُۚ فَلَا تَظۡلِمُواْ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ وَقَٰتِلُواْ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ كَآفَّةٗ كَمَا يُقَٰتِلُونَكُمۡ كَآفَّةٗۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٣٦
Inna ʿiddatash-shuhūri ʿindallāhithnā ʿashara shahran fī kitābillāhi yawma khalaqas-samāwāti wal-arḍa minhā arbaʿatun ḥurum, dhālikad-dīnul-qayyim, falā taẓlimū fīhinna anfusakum, wa qātilul-mushrikīna kāffatan kamā yuqātilūnakum kāffah, waʿlamū annallāha maʿal-muttaqīn.
Indeed, the number of months with Allāh is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allāh [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.1 That is the correct religion [i.e., way], so do not wrong yourselves during them.2 And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allāh is with the righteous [who fear Him].
Footnotes (2)
- See footnote to 9:5.
- i.e., do not violate the sacred months or commit aggression therein.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِيُّ جَٰهِدِ ٱلۡكُفَّارَ وَٱلۡمُنَٰفِقِينَ وَٱغۡلُظۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ وَمَأۡوَىٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ ٧٣
Yāʾayyuhan-nabiyyu jāhidil-kuffāra wal-munāfiqīna waghluẓ ʿalayhim, wa maʾwāhum jahannam, wa biʾsal-maṣīr.
O Prophet, fight against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ قَٰتِلُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ يَلُونَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡكُفَّارِ وَلۡيَجِدُواْ فِيكُمۡ غِلۡظَةٗۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ١٢٣
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū qātilul-ladhīna yalūnakum minal-kuffāri walyajidū fīkum ghilẓah, waʿlamū annallāha maʿal-muttaqīn.
O you who have believed, fight against those adjacent to you of the disbelievers and let them find in you harshness. And know that Allāh is with the righteous.
أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ يُقَٰتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ ظُلِمُواْۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ نَصۡرِهِمۡ لَقَدِيرٌ ٣٩
Udhina lil-ladhīna yuqātalūna biʾannahum ẓulimū, wa innallāha ʿalā naṣrihim laqadīr.
Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought,1 because they were wronged. And indeed, Allāh is competent to give them victory.
Footnotes (1)
- Referring here to the Prophet's companions.
ٱلَّذِينَ أُخۡرِجُواْ مِن دِيَٰرِهِم بِغَيۡرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّآ أَن يَقُولُواْ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُۗ وَلَوۡلَا دَفۡعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعۡضَهُم بِبَعۡضٖ لَّهُدِّمَتۡ صَوَٰمِعُ وَبِيَعٞ وَصَلَوَٰتٞ وَمَسَٰجِدُ يُذۡكَرُ فِيهَا ٱسۡمُ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرٗاۗ وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ ٤٠
Al-ladhīna ukhrijū min diyārihim bighayri ḥaqqin illā ay yaqūlū rabbunallāh, wa lawlā dafʿullāhin-nāsa baʿḍahum bibaʿḍil lahuddimat ṣawāmiʿu wa biyaʿuw wa ṣalawātuw wa masājidu yudhkaru fīhasmullāhi kathīrā, wa layanṣurannallāhu may yanṣuruh, innallāha laqawiyyun ʿazīz.
[They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right - only because they say, "Our Lord is Allāh." And were it not that Allāh checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allāh is much mentioned [i.e., praised]. And Allāh will surely support those who support Him [i.e., His cause]. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
Treaties with the polytheists in Surah At-Tawbah
بَرَآءَةٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتُّم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ ١
Barāʾatum minallāhi wa rasūlihī ilal-ladhīna ʿāhadttum minal-mushrikīn.
[This is a declaration of] disassociation, from Allāh and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists.1
Footnotes (1)
- But who had violated it.
فَسِيحُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَرۡبَعَةَ أَشۡهُرٖ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّكُمۡ غَيۡرُ مُعۡجِزِي ٱللَّهِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡزِي ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ ٢
Fasīḥū fil-arḍi arbaʿata ashhuriw waʿlamū annakum ghayru muʿjizillāhi wa annallāha mukhzil-kāfirīn.
So travel freely, [O disbelievers], throughout the land [during] four months but know that you cannot cause failure to Allāh and that Allāh will disgrace the disbelievers.
وَأَذَٰنٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡحَجِّ ٱلۡأَكۡبَرِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَرِيٓءٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ وَرَسُولُهُۥۚ فَإِن تُبۡتُمۡ فَهُوَ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّكُمۡ غَيۡرُ مُعۡجِزِي ٱللَّهِۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ٣
Wa adhānum minallāhi wa rasūlihī ilan-nāsi yawmal-ḥajjil-akbari annallāha barīʾum minal-mushrikīna wa rasūluh, fa in tubtum fahuwa khayrul lakum, wa in tawallaytum faʿlamū annakum ghayru muʿjizillāh, wa bashshiril-ladhīna kafarū biʿadhābin alīm.
And [it is] an announcement from Allāh and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage1 that Allāh is disassociated from the disbelievers, and [so is] His Messenger. So if you repent, that is best for you; but if you turn away - then know that you will not cause failure to Allāh.2 And give tidings to those who disbelieve of a painful punishment.
Footnotes (2)
- Ḥajj. ʿUmrah is the lesser pilgrimage.
- i.e., you cannot escape His punishment.
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتُّم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَنقُصُوكُمۡ شَيۡـٔٗا وَلَمۡ يُظَٰهِرُواْ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَحَدٗا فَأَتِمُّوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِمۡ عَهۡدَهُمۡ إِلَىٰ مُدَّتِهِمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٤
Illal-ladhīna ʿāhadttum minal-mushrikīna thumma lam yanquṣūkum shayʾaw wa lam yuẓāhirū ʿalaykum aḥadan fa atimmū ilayhim ʿahdahum ilā muddatihim, innallāha yuḥibbul-muttaqīn.
Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allāh loves the righteous [who fear Him].
فَإِذَا ٱنسَلَخَ ٱلۡأَشۡهُرُ ٱلۡحُرُمُ فَٱقۡتُلُواْ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ حَيۡثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمۡ وَخُذُوهُمۡ وَٱحۡصُرُوهُمۡ وَٱقۡعُدُواْ لَهُمۡ كُلَّ مَرۡصَدٖۚ فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَخَلُّواْ سَبِيلَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ ٥
Fa idhansalakhal-ashhurul-ḥurumu faqtulul-mushrikīna ḥaythu wajadttumūhum wa khudhūhum waḥṣurūhum waqʿudū lahum kulla marṣad, fa in tābū wa aqāmuṣ-ṣalāta wa ātawuz-zakāta fakhallū sabīlahum, innallāha ghafūrur raḥīm.
And when the inviolable months1 have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakāh, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Footnotes (1)
- The four months mentioned in verse 2, in which the disbelievers were allowed free movement within the land. Other scholars have interpreted them as "the sacred months," i.e., Muḥarram, Rajab, Dhul-Qaʿdah and Dhul-Ḥijjah.
وَإِنۡ أَحَدٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ ٱسۡتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرۡهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسۡمَعَ كَلَٰمَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبۡلِغۡهُ مَأۡمَنَهُۥۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ قَوۡمٞ لَّا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٦
Wa in aḥadum minal-mushrikīnastajāraka fa ajirhu ḥattā yasmaʿa kalāmallāhi thumma ablighhu maʾmanah, dhālika biʾannahum qawmul lā yaʿlamūn.
And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allāh [i.e., the Qur’ān]. Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know.
كَيۡفَ يَكُونُ لِلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ عَهۡدٌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَعِندَ رَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ عَٰهَدتُّمۡ عِندَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِۖ فَمَا ٱسۡتَقَٰمُواْ لَكُمۡ فَٱسۡتَقِيمُواْ لَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٧
Kayfa yakūnu lil-mushrikīna ʿahdun ʿindallāhi wa ʿinda rasūlihī illal-ladhīna ʿāhadttum ʿindal-masjidil-ḥarām, famastaqāmū lakum fastaqīmū lahum, innallāha yuḥibbul-muttaqīn.
How can there be for the polytheists a treaty in the sight of Allāh and with His Messenger, except for those with whom you made a treaty at al-Masjid al-Ḥarām? So as long as they are upright toward you,1 be upright toward them. Indeed, Allāh loves the righteous [who fear Him].
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., maintain the terms of the treaty.
كَيۡفَ وَإِن يَظۡهَرُواْ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَا يَرۡقُبُواْ فِيكُمۡ إِلّٗا وَلَا ذِمَّةٗۚ يُرۡضُونَكُم بِأَفۡوَٰهِهِمۡ وَتَأۡبَىٰ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَأَكۡثَرُهُمۡ فَٰسِقُونَ ٨
Kayfa wa iy yaẓharū ʿalaykum lā yarqubū fīkum illaw wa lā dhimmah, yurḍūnakum biʾafwāhihim wa taʾbā qulūbuhum wa aktharuhum fāsiqūn.
How [can there be a treaty] while, if they gain dominance over you, they do not observe concerning you any pact of kinship or covenant of protection? They satisfy you with their mouths, but their hearts refuse [compliance], and most of them are defiantly disobedient.
ٱشۡتَرَوۡاْ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنٗا قَلِيلٗا فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّهُمۡ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٩
Ishtaraw biʾāyātillāhi thamanan qalīlan faṣaddū ʿan sabīlih, innahum sāʾa mā kānū yaʿmalūn.
They have exchanged the signs of Allāh for a small price and averted [people] from His way. Indeed, it was evil that they were doing.
لَا يَرۡقُبُونَ فِي مُؤۡمِنٍ إِلّٗا وَلَا ذِمَّةٗۚ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُعۡتَدُونَ ١٠
Lā yarqubūna fī muʾminin illaw wa lā dhimmah, wa ulāʾika humul-muʿtadūn.
They do not observe toward a believer any pact of kinship or covenant of protection. And it is they who are the transgressors.
فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُاْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَإِخۡوَٰنُكُمۡ فِي ٱلدِّينِۗ وَنُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَعۡلَمُونَ ١١
Fa in tābū wa aqāmuṣ-ṣalāta wa ātawuz-zakāta fa ikhwānukum fid-dīn, wa nufaṣṣilul-āyāti liqawmiy yaʿlamūn.
But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakāh, then they are your brothers in religion; and We detail the verses for a people who know.
وَإِن نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَٰنَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ عَهۡدِهِمۡ وَطَعَنُواْ فِي دِينِكُمۡ فَقَٰتِلُوٓاْ أَئِمَّةَ ٱلۡكُفۡرِ إِنَّهُمۡ لَآ أَيۡمَٰنَ لَهُمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَنتَهُونَ ١٢
Wa in nakathū aymānahum mim baʿdi ʿahdihim wa ṭaʿanū fī dīnikum faqātilū aʾimmatal-kufri innahum lā aymāna lahum laʿallahum yantahūn.
And if they break their oaths after their treaty and defame your religion, then combat the leaders of disbelief, for indeed, there are no oaths [sacred] to them; [fight them that] they might cease.
أَلَا تُقَٰتِلُونَ قَوۡمٗا نَّكَثُوٓاْ أَيۡمَٰنَهُمۡ وَهَمُّواْ بِإِخۡرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوكُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۚ أَتَخۡشَوۡنَهُمۡۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخۡشَوۡهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ ١٣
Alā tuqātilūna qawman nakathū aymānahum wa hammū biʾikhrājir-rasūli wa hum badaʾūkum awwala marrah, atakhshawnahum, fallāhu aḥaqqu an takhshawhu in kuntum muʾminīn.
Would you not fight against a people who broke their oaths and determined to expel the Messenger, and they had begun [the attack upon] you the first time? Do you fear them? But Allāh has more right that you should fear Him, if you are [truly] believers.
قَٰتِلُوهُمۡ يُعَذِّبۡهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَيُخۡزِهِمۡ وَيَنصُرۡكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَيَشۡفِ صُدُورَ قَوۡمٖ مُّؤۡمِنِينَ ١٤
Qātilūhum yuʿadhdhibhumullāhu biʾaydīkum wa yukhzihim wa yanṣurkum ʿalayhim wa yashfi ṣudūra qawmim muʾminīn.
Fight them; Allāh will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and satisfy the breasts [i.e., desires] of a believing people
وَيُذۡهِبۡ غَيۡظَ قُلُوبِهِمۡۗ وَيَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ١٥
Wa yudhhib ghayẓa qulūbihim, wa yatūbullāhu ʿalā may yashāʾ, wallāhu ʿalīmun ḥakīm.
And remove the fury in their [i.e., the believers'] hearts. And Allāh turns in forgiveness to whom He wills; and Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
Hostile hypocrites, those who offer peace, and peace
وَدُّواْ لَوۡ تَكۡفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُواْ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَآءٗۖ فَلَا تَتَّخِذُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءَ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَخُذُوهُمۡ وَٱقۡتُلُوهُمۡ حَيۡثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمۡۖ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ وَلِيّٗا وَلَا نَصِيرًا ٨٩
Waddū law takfurūna kamā kafarū fatakūnūna sawāʾā, falā tattakhidhū minhum awliyāʾa ḥattā yuhājirū fī sabīlillāh, fa in tawallaw fakhudhūhum waqtulūhum ḥaythu wajadttumūhum, wa lā tattakhidhū minhum waliyyaw wa lā naṣīrā.
They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allāh. But if they turn away [i.e., refuse], then seize them and kill them [for their betrayal] wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper,
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِۭ بَيۡنَكُمۡ وَبَيۡنَهُم مِّيثَٰقٌ أَوۡ جَآءُوكُمۡ حَصِرَتۡ صُدُورُهُمۡ أَن يُقَٰتِلُوكُمۡ أَوۡ يُقَٰتِلُواْ قَوۡمَهُمۡۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَسَلَّطَهُمۡ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَلَقَٰتَلُوكُمۡۚ فَإِنِ ٱعۡتَزَلُوكُمۡ فَلَمۡ يُقَٰتِلُوكُمۡ وَأَلۡقَوۡاْ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلسَّلَمَ فَمَا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ سَبِيلٗا ٩٠
Illal-ladhīna yaṣilūna ilā qawmim baynakum wa baynahum mīthāqun aw jāʾūkum ḥaṣirat ṣudūruhum ay yuqātilūkum aw yuqātilū qawmahum, wa law shāʾallāhu lasallaṭahum ʿalaykum falaqātalūkum, fa iniʿtazalūkum falam yuqātilūkum wa alqaw ilaykumus-salama famā jaʿalallāhu lakum ʿalayhim sabīlā.
Except for those who take refuge with a people between yourselves and whom is a treaty or those who come to you, their hearts strained at [the prospect of] fighting you or fighting their own people. And if Allāh had willed, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they remove themselves from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allāh has not made for you a cause [for fighting] against them.
سَتَجِدُونَ ءَاخَرِينَ يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَأۡمَنُوكُمۡ وَيَأۡمَنُواْ قَوۡمَهُمۡ كُلَّ مَا رُدُّوٓاْ إِلَى ٱلۡفِتۡنَةِ أُرۡكِسُواْ فِيهَاۚ فَإِن لَّمۡ يَعۡتَزِلُوكُمۡ وَيُلۡقُوٓاْ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلسَّلَمَ وَيَكُفُّوٓاْ أَيۡدِيَهُمۡ فَخُذُوهُمۡ وَٱقۡتُلُوهُمۡ حَيۡثُ ثَقِفۡتُمُوهُمۡۚ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكُمۡ جَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَٰنٗا مُّبِينٗا ٩١
Satajidūna ākharīna yurīdūna ay yaʾmanūkum wa yaʾmanū qawmahum kulla mā ruddū ilal-fitnati urkisū fīhā, fa il lam yaʿtazilūkum wa yulqū ilaykumus-salama wa yakuffū aydiyahum fakhudhūhum waqtulūhum ḥaythu thaqiftumūhum, wa ulāʾikum jaʿalnā lakum ʿalayhim sulṭānam mubīnā.
You will find others who wish to obtain security from you and [to] obtain security from their people. Every time they are returned to [the influence of] disbelief, they fall back into it. So if they do not withdraw from you or offer you peace or restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you overtake them. And those - We have made for you against them a clear authorization.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا ضَرَبۡتُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَنۡ أَلۡقَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكُمُ ٱلسَّلَٰمَ لَسۡتَ مُؤۡمِنٗا تَبۡتَغُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٞۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبۡلُ فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٗا ٩٤
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū idhā ḍarabtum fī sabīlillāhi fatabayyanū wa lā taqūlū liman alqā ilaykumus-salāma lasta muʾminan tabtaghūna ʿaraḍal-ḥayātid-dunyā faʿindallāhi maghānimu kathīrah, kadhālika kuntum min qablu famannallāhu ʿalaykum fatabayyanū, innallāha kāna bimā taʿmalūna khabīrā.
O you who have believed, when you go forth [to fight] in the cause of Allāh, investigate; and do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace, "You are not a believer,"1 aspiring for the goods of worldly life; for with Allāh are many acquisitions. You [yourselves] were like that before; then Allāh conferred His favor [i.e., guidance] upon you, so investigate. Indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.
Footnotes (1)
- Do not assume that he pretends Islām merely in order to save himself, for he may be sincere in faith.
۞ وَإِن جَنَحُواْ لِلسَّلۡمِ فَٱجۡنَحۡ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٦١
Wa in janaḥū lis-salmi fajnaḥ lahā wa tawakkal ʿalallāh, innahū huwas-samīʿul-ʿalīm.
And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allāh. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing.
Preparation and rules in facing the enemy
وَلَا تَهِنُواْ فِي ٱبۡتِغَآءِ ٱلۡقَوۡمِۖ إِن تَكُونُواْ تَأۡلَمُونَ فَإِنَّهُمۡ يَأۡلَمُونَ كَمَا تَأۡلَمُونَۖ وَتَرۡجُونَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَرۡجُونَۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا ١٠٤
Wa lā tahinū fibtighāʾil-qawm, in takūnū taʾlamūna fa innahum yaʾlamūna kamā taʾlamūn, wa tarjūna minallāhi mā lā yarjūn, wa kānallāhu ʿalīman ḥakīmā.
And do not weaken in pursuit of the enemy. If you should be suffering - so are they suffering as you are suffering, but you expect from Allāh that which they expect not. And Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.
وَأَعِدُّواْ لَهُم مَّا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُم مِّن قُوَّةٖ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ ٱلۡخَيۡلِ تُرۡهِبُونَ بِهِۦ عَدُوَّ ٱللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمۡ وَءَاخَرِينَ مِن دُونِهِمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُهُمۡۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِن شَيۡءٖ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيۡكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تُظۡلَمُونَ ٦٠
Wa aʿiddū lahum mastaṭaʿtum min quwwatiw wa mir ribāṭil-khayli turhibūna bihī ʿaduwwallāhi wa ʿaduwwakum wa ākharīna min dūnihim lā taʿlamūnahumullāhu yaʿlamuhum, wa mā tunfiqū min shayʾin fī sabīlillāhi yuwaffa ilaykum wa antum lā tuẓlamūn.
And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war1 by which you may terrify the enemy of Allāh and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allāh knows. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allāh will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.
Footnotes (1)
- Or equipment which serves the same purpose.
فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَضَرۡبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَثۡخَنتُمُوهُمۡ فَشُدُّواْ ٱلۡوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنَّۢا بَعۡدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَآءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ ٱلۡحَرۡبُ أَوۡزَارَهَاۚ ذَٰلِكَۖ وَلَوۡ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنۡهُمۡ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبۡلُوَاْ بَعۡضَكُم بِبَعۡضٖۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعۡمَٰلَهُمۡ ٤
Fa idhā laqītumul-ladhīna kafarū faḍarbar-riqābi ḥattā idhā athkhantumūhum fashuddul-wathāqa fa immā mannā baʿdu wa immā fidāʾan ḥattā taḍaʿal-ḥarbu awzārahā, dhālik, wa law yashāʾullāhu lantaṣara minhum wa lākil liyabluwa baʿḍakum bibaʿḍ, wal-ladhīna qutilū fī sabīlillāhi falay yuḍilla aʿmālahum.
So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure [their] bonds,1 and either [confer] favor2 afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens.3 That [is the command]. And if Allāh had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allāh - never will He waste their deeds.
Footnotes (3)
- i.e., take those remaining as captives.
- i.e., release them without ransom.
- i.e., its armor, machinery, etc., meaning "until the war is over."
Testing, reproach for the reluctant, and valid excuses
أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ أَن تَدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعۡلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَيَعۡلَمَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ١٤٢
Am ḥasibtum an tadkhulul-jannata wa lammā yaʿlamillāhul-ladhīna jāhadū minkum wa yaʿlamaṣ-ṣābirīn.
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allāh has not yet made evident those of you who fight in His cause and made evident those who are steadfast?
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَا لَكُمۡ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ ٱنفِرُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱثَّاقَلۡتُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ أَرَضِيتُم بِٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا مِنَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ فَمَا مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ ٣٨
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū mā lakum idhā qīla lakumunfirū fī sabīlillāhith-thāqaltum ilal-arḍ, araḍītum bil-ḥayātid-dunyā minal-ākhirah, famā matāʿul-ḥayātid-dunyā fil-ākhirati illā qalīl.
O you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allāh, you adhere heavily to the earth?1 Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little.
Footnotes (1)
- i.e., inclining toward the comforts of worldly life.
إِلَّا تَنفِرُواْ يُعَذِّبۡكُمۡ عَذَابًا أَلِيمٗا وَيَسۡتَبۡدِلۡ قَوۡمًا غَيۡرَكُمۡ وَلَا تَضُرُّوهُ شَيۡـٔٗاۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٌ ٣٩
Illā tanfirū yuʿadhdhibkum ʿadhāban alīmaw wa yastabdil qawman ghayrakum wa lā taḍurrūhu shayʾā, wallāhu ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr.
If you do not go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment and will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. And Allāh is over all things competent.
لَا يَسۡتَـٔۡذِنُكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ أَن يُجَٰهِدُواْ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٤٤
Lā yastaʾdhinukal-ladhīna yuʾminūna billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhiri ay yujāhidū biʾamwālihim wa anfusihim, wallāhu ʿalīmum bil-muttaqīn.
Those who believe in Allāh and the Last Day would not ask permission of you to be excused from striving [i.e., fighting] with their wealth and their lives. And Allāh is Knowing of those who fear Him.
إِنَّمَا يَسۡتَـٔۡذِنُكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَٱرۡتَابَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ فَهُمۡ فِي رَيۡبِهِمۡ يَتَرَدَّدُونَ ٤٥
Innamā yastaʾdhinukal-ladhīna lā yuʾminūna billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhiri wartābat qulūbuhum fahum fī raybihim yataraddadūn.
Only those would ask permission of you who do not believe in Allāh and the Last Day and whose hearts have doubted, and they, in their doubt, are hesitating.
لَّيۡسَ عَلَى ٱلضُّعَفَآءِ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡمَرۡضَىٰ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ مَا يُنفِقُونَ حَرَجٌ إِذَا نَصَحُواْ لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۚ مَا عَلَى ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ مِن سَبِيلٖۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ ٩١
Laysa ʿalaḍ-ḍuʿafāʾi wa lā ʿalal-marḍā wa lā ʿalal-ladhīna lā yajidūna mā yunfiqūna ḥarajun idhā naṣaḥū lillāhi wa rasūlih, mā ʿalal-muḥsinīna min sabīl, wallāhu ghafūrur raḥīm.
There is not upon the weak or upon the ill or upon those who do not find anything to spend any discomfort [i.e., guilt] when they are sincere to Allāh and His Messenger. There is not upon the doers of good any cause [for blame]. And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا مَآ أَتَوۡكَ لِتَحۡمِلَهُمۡ قُلۡتَ لَآ أَجِدُ مَآ أَحۡمِلُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَلَّواْ وَّأَعۡيُنُهُمۡ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمۡعِ حَزَنًا أَلَّا يَجِدُواْ مَا يُنفِقُونَ ٩٢
Wa lā ʿalal-ladhīna idhā mā atawka litaḥmilahum qulta lā ajidu mā aḥmilukum ʿalayhi tawallaw wa aʿyunuhum tafīḍu minad-damʿi ḥazanan allā yajidū mā yunfiqūn.
Nor [is there blame] upon those who, when they came to you for you to take them along, you said, "I can find nothing upon which to carry you."1 They turned back while their eyes overflowed with tears out of grief that they could not find something to spend [for the cause of Allāh].
Footnotes (1)
- No mounts or even shoes were available.
۞ وَمَا كَانَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُواْ كَآفَّةٗۚ فَلَوۡلَا نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرۡقَةٖ مِّنۡهُمۡ طَآئِفَةٞ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُواْ فِي ٱلدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُواْ قَوۡمَهُمۡ إِذَا رَجَعُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَحۡذَرُونَ ١٢٢
Wa mā kānal-muʾminūna liyanfirū kāffah, falawlā nafara min kulli firqatim minhum ṭāʾifatul liyatafaqqahū fid-dīni waliyundhirū qawmahum idhā rajaʿū ilayhim laʿallahum yaḥdharūn.
And it is not for the believers to go forth [to battle] all at once. For there should separate from every division of them a group [remaining] to obtain understanding in the religion and warn [i.e., advise] their people when they return to them that they might be cautious.
لَّيۡسَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ حَرَجٞ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡرَجِ حَرَجٞ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡمَرِيضِ حَرَجٞۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ يُدۡخِلۡهُ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُۖ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ يُعَذِّبۡهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيمٗا ١٧
Laysa ʿalal-aʿmā ḥarajuw wa lā ʿalal-aʿraji ḥarajuw wa lā ʿalal-marīḍi ḥaraj, wa may yuṭiʿillāha wa rasūlahū yudkhilhu jannātin tajrī min taḥtihal-anhār, wa may yatawalla yuʿadhdhibhu ʿadhāban alīmā.
There is not upon the blind any guilt or upon the lame any guilt or upon the ill any guilt [for remaining behind]. And whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger - He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow; but whoever turns away - He will punish him with a painful punishment.
Those killed in Allah's way
وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَن يُقۡتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمۡوَٰتُۢۚ بَلۡ أَحۡيَآءٞ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَشۡعُرُونَ ١٥٤
Wa lā taqūlū limay yuqtalu fī sabīlillāhi amwāt, bal aḥyāʾuw wa lākil lā tashʿurūn.
And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allāh, "They are dead." Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not.
وَلَئِن قُتِلۡتُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡ مُتُّمۡ لَمَغۡفِرَةٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَحۡمَةٌ خَيۡرٞ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ ١٥٧
Wa laʾin qutiltum fī sabīlillāhi aw muttum lamaghfiratum minallāhi wa raḥmatun khayrum mimmā yajmaʿūn.
And if you are killed in the cause of Allāh or die - then forgiveness from Allāh and mercy are better than whatever they accumulate [in this world].
وَلَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمۡوَٰتَۢاۚ بَلۡ أَحۡيَآءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ يُرۡزَقُونَ ١٦٩
Wa lā taḥsabannal-ladhīna qutilū fī sabīlillāhi amwātā, bal aḥyāʾun ʿinda rabbihim yurzaqūn.
And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allāh as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,
فَرِحِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَيَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ بِٱلَّذِينَ لَمۡ يَلۡحَقُواْ بِهِم مِّنۡ خَلۡفِهِمۡ أَلَّا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ ١٧٠
Fariḥīna bimā ātāhumullāhu min faḍlihī wa yastabshirūna bil-ladhīna lam yalḥaqū bihim min khalfihim allā khawfun ʿalayhim wa lā hum yaḥzanūn.
Rejoicing in what Allāh has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them - that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
۞ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ بِنِعۡمَةٖ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَضۡلٖ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ١٧١
Yastabshirūna biniʿmatim minallāhi wa faḍliw wa annallāha lā yuḍīʿu ajral-muʾminīn.
They receive good tidings of favor from Allāh and bounty and [of the fact] that Allāh does not allow the reward of believers to be lost -
۞ فَلۡيُقَٰتِلۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشۡرُونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ وَمَن يُقَٰتِلۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيُقۡتَلۡ أَوۡ يَغۡلِبۡ فَسَوۡفَ نُؤۡتِيهِ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمٗا ٧٤
Falyuqātil fī sabīlillāhil-ladhīna yashrūnal-ḥayātad-dunyā bil-ākhirah, wa may yuqātil fī sabīlillāhi fayuqtal aw yaghlib fasawfa nuʾtīhi ajran ʿaẓīmā.
So let those fight in the cause of Allāh who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. And he who fights in the cause of Allāh and is killed or achieves victory - We will bestow upon him a great reward.
Jihad as striving hard in Allah's way
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَن يَرۡتَدَّ مِنكُمۡ عَن دِينِهِۦ فَسَوۡفَ يَأۡتِي ٱللَّهُ بِقَوۡمٖ يُحِبُّهُمۡ وَيُحِبُّونَهُۥٓ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ يُجَٰهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَخَافُونَ لَوۡمَةَ لَآئِمٖۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤۡتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ٥٤
Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū may yartadda minkum ʿan dīnihī fasawfa yaʾtillāhu biqawmiy yuḥibbuhum wa yuḥibbūnahū adhillatin ʿalal-muʾminīna aʿizzatin ʿalal-kāfirīna yujāhidūna fī sabīlillāhi wa lā yakhāfūna lawmata lāʾim, dhālika faḍlullāhi yuʾtīhi may yashāʾ, wallāhu wāsiʿun ʿalīm.
O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allāh will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, strong against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allāh and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allāh; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
وَجَٰهِدُواْ فِي ٱللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِۦۚ هُوَ ٱجۡتَبَىٰكُمۡ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فِي ٱلدِّينِ مِنۡ حَرَجٖۚ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمۡ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَۚ هُوَ سَمَّىٰكُمُ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ مِن قَبۡلُ وَفِي هَٰذَا لِيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَتَكُونُواْ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِۚ فَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ هُوَ مَوۡلَىٰكُمۡۖ فَنِعۡمَ ٱلۡمَوۡلَىٰ وَنِعۡمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ ٧٨
Wa jāhidū fillāhi ḥaqqa jihādih, huwajtabākum wa mā jaʿala ʿalaykum fid-dīni min ḥaraj, millata abīkum ibrāhīm, huwa sammākumul-muslimīna min qablu wa fī hādhā liyakūnar-rasūlu shahīdan ʿalaykum wa takūnū shuhadāʾa ʿalan-nās, fa aqīmuṣ-ṣalāta wa ātuz-zakāta waʿtaṣimū billāhi huwa mawlākum, faniʿmal-mawlā wa niʿman-naṣīr.
And strive for Allāh with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. He [i.e., Allāh] named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakāh and hold fast to Allāh. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.
فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ وَجَٰهِدۡهُم بِهِۦ جِهَادٗا كَبِيرٗا ٥٢
Falā tuṭiʿil-kāfirīna wa jāhidhum bihī jihādan kabīrā.
So do not obey the disbelievers, and strive against them with it [i.e., the Qur’ān] a great striving.
وَمَن جَٰهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَٰهِدُ لِنَفۡسِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِيٌّ عَنِ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ ٦
Wa man jāhada fa innamā yujāhidu linafsih, innallāha laghaniyyun ʿanil-ʿālamīn.
And whoever strives only strives for [the benefit of] himself. Indeed, Allāh is Free from need of the worlds.
وَٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُواْ فِينَا لَنَهۡدِيَنَّهُمۡ سُبُلَنَاۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ ٦٩
Wal-ladhīna jāhadū fīnā lanahdiyannahum subulanā, wa innallāha lamaʿal-muḥsinīn.
And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways.1 And indeed, Allāh is with the doers of good.
Footnotes (1)
- The various ways and means to attain the acceptance and pleasure of Allāh.