In the beginning of Islam, Muslims in Makkah were commanded to perform the prayer
and pay some charity, so as to comfort the poor among them. They were also commanded
to be forgiving and forbearing with the idolators and to observe patience with them
at the time. However, they were eager and anticipating the time when they would
be allowed to fight, so that they could punish their enemies. The situation at that
time did not permit armed conflict for many reasons. For instance, Muslims were
few at the time, compared to their numerous enemies. The Muslims' city was a sacred
one and the most honored area on the earth, and this is why the command to fight
was not revealed in Makkah. Later on when the Muslims controlled a town of their
own, Al-Madinah, and had strength, power and support, Jihad was then legislated.
Yet, when the command to fight was revealed, just as Muslims wished, some of them
became weary and were very fearful of facing the idolators in battle.
﴿وَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبْتَ
عَلَيْنَا الْقِتَالَ لَوْلا أَخَّرْتَنَا إِلَى أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ﴾
(They say: "Our Lord! Why have You ordained for us fighting Would that You had granted
us respite for a short period'') meaning, we wish that Jihad was delayed until a
later time, because it means bloodshed, orphans and widows. In a similar Ayah, Allah
said,
﴿وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَوْلاَ
نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَإِذَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُّحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا الْقِتَالُ﴾
(Those who believe say: "Why is not a Surah sent down (for us) But when a decisive
is sent down, and fighting is mentioned). Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas
said that `Abdur-Rahman bin `Awf and several of his companions came to the Prophet
while in Makkah and said, "O Allah's Prophet! We were mighty when we were pagans,
but when we embraced the faith, we became weak.'' The Prophet said,
«إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ بِالْعَفْوِ فَلَا
تُقَاتِلُوا الْقَوْم»
(I was commanded to pardon the people, so do not fight them.) When Allah transferred
the Prophet to Al-Madinah, He commanded him to fight (the idolators), but they (some
Muslims) held back. So, Allah revealed the Ayah;
﴿أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ قِيلَ
لَهُمْ كُفُّواْ أَيْدِيَكُمْ﴾
(Have you not seen those who were told to hold back their hands) This Hadith was
collected by An-Nasa'i and Al-Hakim. Allah's statement,
﴿قُلْ مَتَـعُ الدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ
وَالاٌّخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقَى﴾
(Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world. The Hereafter is (far) better for him
who fears Allah,) means, the destination of the one who with Taqwa is better for
him than this life.
﴿وَلاَ تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلاً﴾
(and you shall not be dealt with unjustly even equal to the Fatal.) for your good
deeds. Rather, you will earn your full rewards for them. This promise directs the
focus of believers away from this life and makes them eager for the Hereafter, all
the while encouraging them to fight in Jihad.
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