لَا يَسْتَـْٔذِنُكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ أَن يُجَـٰهِدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلْمُتَّقِينَ 44
Translations
Those who believe in Allāh and the Last Day would not ask permission of you to be excused from striving [i.e., fighting] with their wealth and their lives. And Allāh is Knowing of those who fear Him.
Transliteration
Lā yastathinnuka alladhīna yu'minūna billāhi wa-al-yawmi al-ākhiri an yujāhidū bi-amwālihim wa-anfusihim, wa-Allāhu 'alīmun bi-al-muttaqīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that true believers who have faith in Allah and the Last Day do not ask permission to abstain from jihad (striving with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allah). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse contrasts genuine believers with hypocrites mentioned in preceding verses, emphasizing that authentic faith naturally compels one toward sacrifice and commitment. Allah concludes by affirming His perfect knowledge of the truly pious, implying that sincere intentions cannot be hidden from Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah At-Tawbah's discussion of the hypocrites (munāfiqūn) during the era of the Prophet Muhammad's military campaigns. The broader context addresses those who sought excuses to avoid participation in jihad, and this verse contrasts their behavior with the steadfastness of genuine believers. It was revealed in the Medinan period when the Muslim community was consolidating its strength.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (2797): The Prophet said, 'The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.' This relates to the theme of sacrifice for the community. Additionally, the hadith on the Companions' eagerness to participate in expeditions (Maghāzī) illustrates the spirit commended in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith is demonstrated through willing sacrifice and commitment, not merely through verbal claims. Believers should introspect on whether their actions reflect genuine belief, knowing that Allah's knowledge of the heart is absolute and that true piety cannot be concealed.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا مَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ أَيُّكُمْ زَادَتْهُ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ إِيمَـٰنًا ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَزَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَهُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ
And whenever a sūrah is revealed, there are among them [i.e., the hypocrites] those who say, "Which of you has this increased in faith?" As for those who believed, it has increased them in faith, while they are rejoicing.
وَقُلِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ فَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَـٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And say, "Do [as you will], for Allāh will see your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do."
كَيْفَ يَكُونُ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ عَهْدٌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَعِندَ رَسُولِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ عَـٰهَدتُّمْ عِندَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۖ فَمَا ٱسْتَقَـٰمُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱسْتَقِيمُوا۟ لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
How can there be for the polytheists a treaty in the sight of Allāh and with His Messenger, except for those with whom you made a treaty at al-Masjid al-Ḥarām? So as long as they are upright toward you, be upright toward them. Indeed, Allāh loves the righteous [who fear Him].
قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَآ إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَىٰنَا ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Say, "Never will we be struck except by what Allāh has decreed for us; He is our protector." And upon Allāh let the believers rely.