Allah commands His faithful servants to take precautions against their enemies,
by being prepared with the necessary weapons and supplies, and increasing the number
of troops fighting in His cause.
﴿ثُبَاتٍ﴾
(in parties) means, group after group, party after party, and expedition after expedition.
`Ali bin Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said that,
﴿فَانفِرُواْ ثُبَاتٍ﴾
(and either go forth in parties) means, "In groups, expedition after expedition,
﴿أَوِ انْفِرُواْ جَمِيعاً﴾
(or go forth all together), means, all of you.'' Similar was reported from Mujahid,
`Ikrimah, As-Suddi, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, `Ata' Al-Khurrasani, Muqatil bin Hayyan
and Khusayf Al-Jazari.
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