وَلَا تَهِنُوا۟ فِى ٱبْتِغَآءِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ۖ إِن تَكُونُوا۟ تَأْلَمُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ يَأْلَمُونَ كَمَا تَأْلَمُونَ ۖ وَتَرْجُونَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَرْجُونَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا 104
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Wa laa tahinu fee ibtighaa al-qawm, in takunu ta'lamun fa'innahum ya'lamun kama ta'lamun, wa tarjun min Allahi ma la yarjun, wa kana Allahu 'aliman hakiman.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah instructs believers not to weaken or lose resolve in pursuing the enemy during warfare, acknowledging that while Muslims may suffer wounds and pain, so too do their adversaries—yet Muslims possess a unique advantage in their hope and reliance upon Allah's help and reward. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse provides psychological reassurance to the believers, reminding them that their suffering is temporary and compensated by divine mercy, whereas their enemies lack this spiritual consolation and divine support.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period within Surah An-Nisa, which addresses the Muslim community's military struggles and social organization. The context pertains to the early Islamic battles and the trials faced by the Muslim army, encouraging steadfastness during armed conflict when believers were experiencing physical and emotional hardship from combat.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest jihad is the struggle of the soul against desires' (Al-Hakim), and he emphasized patience in hardship, stating 'How wonderful is the case of the believer; there is good for him in everything, and this is not the case for anyone except the believer' (Sahih Muslim).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should maintain unwavering resolve during difficulties, recognizing that physical suffering is shared among all combatants, but their unique relationship with Allah—characterized by hope, trust, and divine reward—gives them an inner strength that adversaries cannot possess. This teaches modern Muslims that spiritual faith becomes our greatest asset during trials, transforming temporary pain into meaningful purpose.