Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

Al-Tawbah (The Repentance) | THE SUPREME WORD OF GODthem to achieve miraculous victories, unparalleled in history.Abū Ţalĥah, one of the Prophet’s Companions, after reading this verse, said to hissons: “I see that God has ordered us to go on jihād whether we are young or elderly.Prepare my equipment.” His sons protested: “You fought in all the battles with theProphet until he passed away, and you fought with Abū Bakr until he died, thenwith `Umar until his death. Now let us fight do your behalf.” He refused and insistedon doing his share. He joined an expedition by sea, but soon he died. No island wasnear where he could be buried. His body remained in the boat for nine days withoutshowing any change of colour. They then came to an island where he was buried.Abū Rāshid al-Ĥarrānī reports: “I visited al-Miqdād ibn al-Aswad, a great warriorand a Companion of the Prophet. I found him sitting on a wooden box, looking sothin, but he nevertheless wanted to join an army on an expedition. I said to him: `Youare certainly excused by God.’ He said: `I have been reading this sūrah and readGod’s order, Go forth, whether you be lightly or heavily armed, and strive in God’s causewith your wealth and your lives.’” (Verse 41)Al-Ţabarī, the famous historian also reports on the authority of Ĥayyān ibn Zaydal-Shar`abī: “We went on a campaign with Şafwān ibn `Amr, the Governor of Hums,until we reached a place called al-Jarājimah when I saw a man looking very old withhis eyebrows practically covering his eyes. He was from Damascus, riding his cameland taking part in the fight. I went to him and said, `Uncle, God has certainlyexcused those who are like you.’ He lifted his eyebrows and said: `Nephew, God hascalled upon us to go forth and strive in His cause, whether we be lightly or heavilyarmed. God will test a person whom He loves, and then He will let him live. Godtests those of His servants who thank and praise Him and those who remainsteadfast in adversity, as well as those who worship God alone.’”It is with such a serious attitude to God’s words that Islam was able to march on inthe land, carrying its message which sought to liberate mankind from submission toother creatures so that they would submit to God alone. The result was the greatestvictories ever achieved in the history of mankind.132