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 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 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 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 said to a man,
«أَسْلِم»
(Embrace Islam,) but the man said, "I dislike doing so.'' The Messenger said,
«أَسْلِمْ وَإِنْ
كُنْتَ كَارِهًا»
(Embrace Islam even if you dislike it).''
[لَوْ كَانَ عَرَضًا
قَرِيبًا وَسَفَرًا قَاصِدًا لاَّتَّبَعُوكَ وَلَـكِن بَعُدَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ
الشُّقَّةُ وَسَيَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ لَوِ اسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَكُمْ
يُهْلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـذِبُونَ ]
(42. Had it been a near gain and an easy journey, they would have followed
you, but the distance was long for them; and they would swear by Allah: "If we
only could, we would certainly have come forth with you.'' They destroy
themselves, and Allah knows that they are liars.)
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