Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

themselves to the pillars after they had stayed behind, and when he did not accepttheir charity after their release, he was simply making it clear to all that none of thiswas within his authority. It all belonged to God alone. The Prophet himself wouldonly do these things if he were authorized to do so.”Finally those who had repented after they had stayed behind are addresseddirectly: “Say to them: ‘Do as you will. God will see your deeds, and so will His Messenger,and the believers; and in the end you shall be brought before Him who knows all that isbeyond the reach of human perception and all that is manifest when He will tell you what youused to do.’” (Verse 105) The Islamic system is based on faith as well as action thatgives credence to professed beliefs. The real proof of their repentance is their actionwhich is apparent to all. It is seen by God, His Messenger and the believers. In thehereafter, they are returned to the One whose knowledge encompasses what ismanifest and what is thought to be hidden, as well as physical actions and innerfeelings.Regretting slips and mistakes and repenting past errors do not represent the end.It is the action that follows such repentance that counts. It may either give credenceto such feelings of regret and build new actions on their basis or undermine themand deprive them of their value.Islam is a practical code of living in which feelings and intentions count for littleunless they are transformed into real action. A good intention has its place, but thefinal verdict is not determined on its basis. A good intention is added to the actionfollowing it in order to determine its value. This is the import of the ĥadīth in whichthe Prophet says: “Actions are but by intentions.” So intention on its own is of littlevalue unless it is acted upon.Awaiting God’s JudgementThe fourth group of people in the society that lived in Madinah and itssurrounding area at the time of the revelation of this sūrah are left to God to judge intheir case: “And yet there are others who must await God’s judgement. He will either punishthem or turn to them in His mercy. God is All-knowing, Wise.” (Verse 106)This is the fourth group of people who did not join the expedition, and whosecases were deferred for judgement. These were different from the hypocrites, theapologetic, and the repentant who admitted their error. Until the revelation of theseverses, nothing had been determined in the case of this group. Their cases were leftto God for judgement. Neither they nor anyone else were aware of what decisionwould be taken. It is reported that this verse speaks specifically about Murārah ibnal-Rabī`, Ka`b ibn Mālik and Hilāl ibn Umayyah. These three did not take part in theexpedition out of laziness and in preference for the comforts of life at home to198