Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

Al-Tawbah (The Repentance) | THE EARTH’S SUFFOCATING EXPANSEall creation. None can have any refuge from God except in Him, because He haspower over the whole universe. Yet stating this fact at this point, in an atmosphere ofsadness imparts an air of stress and despair that can only be cleared by God Himself.Then hope is restored and release is granted: “He then turned to them in mercy, sothat they might repent. God is indeed the One who accepts repentance, the Merciful.” (Verse118) He has turned to them in mercy with regard to this particular error, so that theymight make a general repentance which covers all their past sins. This means thatthey would watch God eagerly to guard against any future error. This is explainedby Ka`b:When I sat down facing him, I said to him, ‘Messenger of God, I will makemy repentance complete by giving away all my property in charity.’ TheProphet said, ‘Keep some of your property, for that is better for you.’ Ianswered that I would keep my share in Khaybar. I then added that I wasforgiven only because I told the truth, and I would make my repentancecomplete by never telling a lie at any time in my life. I feel that the greatestgrace God has bestowed on me ever since He guided me to accept Islam ismy telling the truth to the Prophet on that day... I have never knowingly ordeliberately told a lie ever since I said that to the Prophet. I pray to God tohelp me keep my word for the rest of my life.That is all that we can say in comment on this highly inspiring story and theunique style in which it is reported in the Qur’ān. We praise God for what Hehas guided us to write about it here, and we hope to make a longer discussionof it in future. 40A Reward for Every Little ThingThe element of truth is highly significant in the story of those three Companions ofthe Prophet. To give this element its due importance, all believers are advised to fearGod and to align themselves with those truthful people of the early believers. On theother hand those people in Madinah and the surrounding desert who stayed behindare strongly criticized. This is followed by a promise of generous reward to thosewho strive for God’s cause: “Believers, have fear of God and be among those who aretruthful. It does not behove the people of Madinah and the bedouins who live around them tohold back from following God’s Messenger, or to care for themselves more than for him; for,whenever they endure thirst, stress, or hunger for the sake of God, or take any step which40 The author apparently intended to write a whole book discussing the events that took place at thetime of the Prophet and his Companions and highlighting the lessons that could be learnt from themand how Muslims today can benefit by them in shaping their lives in accordance with Islamicguidance. He did not live to see that project implemented. — Editor's note.237