Surah Tawbah ayat 41 Tafsir Quran 9:41

﴿انفِرُوا خِفَافًا وَثِقَالًا وَجَاهِدُوا بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ﴾
[ التوبة: 41]

9:41 Go forth, whether light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is better for you, if you only knew.

Go forth light and heavy! that is energetically or not; it is also said to mean go forth strong or weak or rich or poor — but this was abrogated by the verse The weak would not be at fault … Q. 991. Struggle in the way of God with your possessions and your lives that is better for you if only you knew that it is better for you; so do not sink down heavily.

Move to action and fight the good fight of faith, each in his capacity, lightly armed and heavily armed, infantry and mounted troops men and women, old and young, rich and poor. Every hand must be open to contribute something to the common purpose, and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, a continuous series of operations constituting the whole. Such a campaign is to your advantage if only you knew. It kills the attempt your enemy has made to shake the dominion Allah intends to establish, it makes the final victory sit on your helm and brings you peace of mind and it helps you prevail and confirm Allahs system of faith and worship

Jihad is required in all Conditions Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated from his father from Abu Ad-Duha, Muslim bin Subayh, who said, "This Ayah, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy ) was the first part to be revealed from Surah Bara'ah." Mu`tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said, "Hadrami claimed that he was told that some people used to declare that they will not gain sin ( if they lag behind the forces of Jihad ) because they are ill or old.
This Ayah was revealed, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy. )" Allah commanded mass mobilization together with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for the battle of Tabuk, to fight the disbelieving, People of the Book, the Romans, Allah's enemies.
Allah ordained that the believers all march forth with the Messenger ﷺ regardless whether they felt active, lazy, at ease or had difficult circumstances, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy ) `Ali bin Zayd narrated that Anas said that Abu Talhah commented ( on this Ayah ), "Whether you are old or young, Allah did not leave an excuse for anyone." Abu Talhah marched to Ash-Sham and fought until he was killed.
In another narration, Abu Talhah recited Surah Bara'ah until he reached this Ayah, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً وَجَـهِدُواْ بِأَمْوَلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy, and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. ) He then said, "I see that Allah had called us to mobilize whether we are old or young.
O my children! Prepare my supplies." His children said, `May Allah grant you His mercy! You conducted Jihad along with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ until he died, then with Abu Bakr until he died, then with `Umar until he died.
Let us perform Jihad in your place." Abu Talhah refused and he went to the sea under the command of Mu`awiyah where he died.
They could not find an island to bury him on until nine days later, during which his body did not deteriorate or change and they buried him on the island.
As-Suddi said, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy ), whether you are rich, poor, strong, or weak.
A man came forward, and he was fat, complained, and asked for permission to stay behind from Jihad, but the Prophet refused.
Then this Ayah, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy ) was revealed, and it became hard on the people.
So Allah abrogated it with this Ayah, لَّيْسَ عَلَى الضُّعَفَآءِ وَلاَ عَلَى الْمَرْضَى وَلاَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لاَ يَجِدُونَ مَا يُنفِقُونَ حَرَجٌ إِذَا نَصَحُواْ لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ r( There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or who find no resources to spend, if they are sincere and true (in duty ) to Allah and His Messenger) 9:91." Ibn Jarir said that Hibban bin Zayd Ash-Shar`abi narrated to him, "We mobilized our forces with Safwan bin `Amr, who was the governor of Hims towards the city of Ephsos appointed to the Jerajima Christian expatriates ( in Syria ).
I saw among the army an old, yet active man, whose eyebrows had sunk over his eyes ( from old age ), from the residents of Damascus, riding on his animal.
I said to him, `O uncle! Allah has given you an excuse ( to lag behind ).' He said, `O my nephew! Allah has mobilized us whether we are light or heavy.
Verily, those whom Allah loves, He tests them.
Then to Allah is their return and eternal dwelling.
Allah tests from His servants whoever thanks ( Him ) and observes patience and remembrance of Him, all the while worshipping Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, and worshipping none else."' Next, Allah encourages spending in His cause and striving with one's life in His pleasure and the pleasure of His Messenger , وَجَـهِدُواْ بِأَمْوَلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ( and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah.
This is better for you, if you but knew. ) Allah says, this is better for you in this life and the Hereafter.
You might spend small amounts, but Allah will reward you the property of your enemy in this life, as well as, the honor that He will keep for you in the Hereafter.
The Prophet said,
«تَكَفَّلَ اللهُ لِلْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِهِ إِنْ تَوَفَّاهُ أَنْ يُدْخِلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ، أَوْ يَرُدَّهُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ بِمَا نَالَ مِنْ أَجْرٍ أَوْ غَنِيمَة»
( Allah promised the Mujahid in His cause that if He brings death to him, He will enter him into Paradise.
Or, He will return him to his house with whatever reward and war spoils he earns. ) So Allah said; كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَى أَن تَكْرَهُواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَى أَن تُحِبُّواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ ( Jihad is ordained for you (Muslims ) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you.
Allah knows but you do not know.)2:216 Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to a man,
«أَسْلِم»
( Embrace Islam, ) but the man said, "I dislike doing so." The Messenger ﷺ said,
«أَسْلِمْ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ كَارِهًا»
( Embrace Islam even if you dislike it )."

(9:41) March forth whether you be light or heavy, *43 and exert your utmost in Allah's Way with your possessions and your lives: this is best for you, if you but know it.

Go forth, whether light or heavy, and meaning

*43) The words " ....
whether you are light or heavy ... " have a very comprehensive meaning: " When it is enjoined to march forth for Jihad, you must go forth anyhow, whether you like it or not: whether you are in a state of prosperity or indigence: whether you are well-equipped or ill-equipped: whether the circumstances are favourable or adverse: whether you are young and healthy or old and weak.
"
 

Jihad is required in all Conditions Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated from his father from Abu Ad-Duha, Muslim bin Subayh, who said, "This Ayah, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy ) was the first part to be revealed from Surah Bara'ah." Mu`tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said, "Hadrami claimed that he was told that some people used to declare that they will not gain sin ( if they lag behind the forces of Jihad ) because they are ill or old.
This Ayah was revealed, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy. )" Allah commanded mass mobilization together with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for the battle of Tabuk, to fight the disbelieving, People of the Book, the Romans, Allah's enemies.
Allah ordained that the believers all march forth with the Messenger ﷺ regardless whether they felt active, lazy, at ease or had difficult circumstances, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy ) `Ali bin Zayd narrated that Anas said that Abu Talhah commented ( on this Ayah ), "Whether you are old or young, Allah did not leave an excuse for anyone." Abu Talhah marched to Ash-Sham and fought until he was killed.
In another narration, Abu Talhah recited Surah Bara'ah until he reached this Ayah, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً وَجَـهِدُواْ بِأَمْوَلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy, and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. ) He then said, "I see that Allah had called us to mobilize whether we are old or young.
O my children! Prepare my supplies." His children said, `May Allah grant you His mercy! You conducted Jihad along with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ until he died, then with Abu Bakr until he died, then with `Umar until he died.
Let us perform Jihad in your place." Abu Talhah refused and he went to the sea under the command of Mu`awiyah where he died.
They could not find an island to bury him on until nine days later, during which his body did not deteriorate or change and they buried him on the island.
As-Suddi said, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy ), whether you are rich, poor, strong, or weak.
A man came forward, and he was fat, complained, and asked for permission to stay behind from Jihad, but the Prophet refused.
Then this Ayah, انْفِرُواْ خِفَافًا وَثِقَالاً ( March forth, whether you are light or heavy ) was revealed, and it became hard on the people.
So Allah abrogated it with this Ayah, لَّيْسَ عَلَى الضُّعَفَآءِ وَلاَ عَلَى الْمَرْضَى وَلاَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لاَ يَجِدُونَ مَا يُنفِقُونَ حَرَجٌ إِذَا نَصَحُواْ لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ r( There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or who find no resources to spend, if they are sincere and true (in duty ) to Allah and His Messenger) 9:91." Ibn Jarir said that Hibban bin Zayd Ash-Shar`abi narrated to him, "We mobilized our forces with Safwan bin `Amr, who was the governor of Hims towards the city of Ephsos appointed to the Jerajima Christian expatriates ( in Syria ).
I saw among the army an old, yet active man, whose eyebrows had sunk over his eyes ( from old age ), from the residents of Damascus, riding on his animal.
I said to him, `O uncle! Allah has given you an excuse ( to lag behind ).' He said, `O my nephew! Allah has mobilized us whether we are light or heavy.
Verily, those whom Allah loves, He tests them.
Then to Allah is their return and eternal dwelling.
Allah tests from His servants whoever thanks ( Him ) and observes patience and remembrance of Him, all the while worshipping Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, and worshipping none else."' Next, Allah encourages spending in His cause and striving with one's life in His pleasure and the pleasure of His Messenger , وَجَـهِدُواْ بِأَمْوَلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ( and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah.
This is better for you, if you but knew. ) Allah says, this is better for you in this life and the Hereafter.
You might spend small amounts, but Allah will reward you the property of your enemy in this life, as well as, the honor that He will keep for you in the Hereafter.
The Prophet said, «تَكَفَّلَ اللهُ لِلْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِهِ إِنْ تَوَفَّاهُ أَنْ يُدْخِلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ، أَوْ يَرُدَّهُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ بِمَا نَالَ مِنْ أَجْرٍ أَوْ غَنِيمَة» ( Allah promised the Mujahid in His cause that if He brings death to him, He will enter him into Paradise.
Or, He will return him to his house with whatever reward and war spoils he earns. ) So Allah said; كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَى أَن تَكْرَهُواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَى أَن تُحِبُّواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ ( Jihad is ordained for you (Muslims ) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you.
Allah knows but you do not know.)2:216 Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to a man, «أَسْلِم» ( Embrace Islam, ) but the man said, "I dislike doing so." The Messenger ﷺ said, «أَسْلِمْ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ كَارِهًا» ( Embrace Islam even if you dislike it )."

( Go forth ) with your Prophet to the Battle of Tabuk, ( light armed and heavy armed ) young and old; it is also said that this means: whether you are enthusiastic for it or not; it is also said that this means: light with property and children and heavy with property and children, ( and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah ) in obedience of Allah! ( That ) jihad ( is best for you ) than sitting remaining in one place ( if ye but knew ) and believed.

March forth, whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor), strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allah. This is better for you, if you but knew.

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