Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

marching in the desert heat. They were treated differently by the Prophet, and theircases will be discussed in full later.Al-Ţabarī reports on the authority of Ibn `Abbās: “After the revelation of the versewhich says, “Take a portion of their money as charity, so that you may cleanse and purifythem thereby,” the Prophet took money from Abū Lubābah and his companions andgave it away in charity on their behalf. There remained three more who did not chainthemselves like Abū Lubābah. They were neither excused nor given any mention.They were in dire trouble and felt the whole earth too tight for them. It is in referenceto these that God says: “And yet there are others who must await God’s judgement. He willeither punish them or turn to them in His mercy. God is All-knowing, Wise.” (Verse 106)Some people said that these people were ruined as no acceptance of their repentancehad been mentioned, while others continued to hope that they would be forgiven byGod. Thus, their cases were deferred for judgement by God Himself. Then the laterverses were revealed which state: “God has assuredly turned in His mercy to the Prophet,the Muhājirīn and the Anşār, who followed him in the hour of hardship, when the hearts of agroup of them had almost faltered. Then again He turned to them in mercy; for He iscompassionate towards them, merciful. And [so too] to the three who were left behind.”(Verses 117-118) Thus they were included among those to whom God has turned inHis mercy. This report sounds more authentic.Since their cases were deferred for judgement, we prefer to postpone discussion oftheir cases till we discuss these later verses, God willing.A Mosque to Promote UnbeliefAnd there are those who have established a house of worship out of mischievousmotives, to promote unbelief and disunity among the believers, and to provide anoutpost for those who have already been warring against God and His Messenger.They will certainly swear: ‘We have only the best of intentions.’ God bears witnessthat they certainly are liars. Never set a foot there. Only a house of worship that fromthe very first day has been founded on piety is worthy of you standing to pray there.In it are men who love to grow in purity, for God loves those who purify themselves.Who is better: a man who founds his building [motivated by a sense of] being Godfearingand seeking His goodly acceptance, or one who founds his building on the edgeof a crumbling precipice, so that it tumbles with him in the fire of hell? God does notguide the wrongdoers. The structure which they have built will continue to be a sourceof disquiet in their hearts, until their hearts are torn to pieces. God is All-knowing,Wise. (Verses 107-110)The story of this mosque intended for mischief is prominent in the events of the199