Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

Al-Tawbah (The Repentance) | MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPOCRISYare not discussed here because they may face a different fate.Eager but Without MeansThe sūrah then provides a definitive statement with regard to who should join thearmy when there is a general call of mobilization. It is not obligatory that all people,whether able or not, should fight. Islam is a religion that does not overburdenpeople. God does not charge anyone with more than he or she can bear. Thosewithout the means or the ability to fight cannot be blamed because of their situation:No blame shall be attached to the weak, the sick or those who do not have the means, ifthey are sincere towards God and His Messenger. There is no cause to reproach thosewho do good. God is Much forgiving, Merciful. Nor shall those be blamed who, whenthey came to request you for transport and you said: I have no means of transportingyou turned away with their eyes overflowing with tears, sad that they did not have themeans to cover their expenses. (Verses 91-92)Those who are weak because of a certain disability or old age, and those who areill and do not have the physical strength to move and make the sort of effort requiredin war, and those who do not have the financial means to pay for their food andtransport will not be blamed if they stay behind. They are, however, required to besincere, providing honest advice and making whatever effort they can to protect theland of Islam, such as keeping guard or looking after the women and children of thefighters, or any other jobs that are of benefit to the community. No blame can beattached to them because they do the best they can. Blame is only attached to thosewho do wrong.Nor is there any blame to be attached to those who may be physically able to fightbut have no means of transport to take them to the battlefield. When they realize thatthey are unable to join the army for this reason, their eyes overflow with tears ofsadness. Their feelings are genuine as they grieve at their inability to take part in astruggle for God’s cause. This was true of a number of people at the time of theProphet whose names are variously given in different reports but which all agreethat the event was real indeed.A report attributed to Ibn `Abbās mentions that “the Prophet ordered hisCompanions to get ready for a campaign. A group of his Companions, among whomwas `Abdullāh ibn Mughaffil al-Māzinī, went to him and said: `Messenger of God,could you give us some mounts, for we have none.’ The Prophet said to them: “I haveno means of transporting you.” (Verse 92) They were weeping as they went away,because it hurt them not to be able to join the campaign and they could not find any176