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theological theories at different times, but very little in the practice of those who framed those theories. The Jewish
wars were ruthless wars of extermination. The Old Testament does not mince matters on this subject. In the New
Testament St. Paul, in commending the worthy fruits of Faith, mentions Gideon, Barak, and other warriors of the Old
Testament as his ideals, "Who through faith subdued kingdoms... waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of
the aliens..." (Hebrews, xi. 32-34). The monkish morality of the Gospels in their present form has never been followed
by any self-respecting Christian or other nation in history. Nor is it common-sense to ignore lust of blood in
unregenerate man as a form of evil which has to be combated "within the limits, set by Allah" (Q. ix. 112). (9.111)
22:58 - Those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah and are then slain or die on them will
Allah bestow verily a goodly Provision: truly Allah is He Who bestows the best Provision. 2838
2838 Rizq: sustenance, provision. I have preferred the latter word here, because after death we can only think of rizq in a
large metaphorical sense. i.e., all the provision necessary to equip the person for a full and happy Future Life, and
also, I think, a provision for his dependents and near and dear ones in this life. (22.58)
22:59 - Verily He will admit them to a place with which they shall be well pleased: for Allah is All-
Knowing Most Forbearing. 2839
2839 Martyrdom is the sacrifice of life in the service of Allah. Its reward is therefore even greater than that of an ordinarily
good life. The martyr's sins are forgiven by the very act of martyrdom, which implies service and self-surrender in the
highest sense of the word. Allah knows all his past life but will forbear from calling him to account for things that
should strictly come into his account. (22.59)
See under “Fighting”
MATE:
7:189 - It is He who created you from a single person and made his mate of like nature in order that
he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united she bears a light burden and carries it
about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy they both pray to Allah their Lord (saying): "if Thou
givest us a goodly child we vow we shall (ever) be grateful." 116211631164
1162 Cf. iv. 1, and n. 504, where the construction is explained. (7.189)
1163 The mystery of the physical birth of man, as it affects the father and the mother, only touches the imagination of the
parents in the later stages when the child is yet unborn and yet the life stirs within the body of the expectant mother.
The coming of the new life is a solemn thing, and is fraught with much hope as well as much unknown risk to the
mother herself. The parents in their anxiety turn to Allah. If this feeling of solemnity, hope, and looking towards Allah
were maintained after birth, all would be well for the parents as well as for the rising generation. But the attitude
changes, as the verses following show. (7.189)
1164 Goodly: salih: includes the following ideas: sound in body and mind; healthy; righteous; of good moral disposition.
(7.189)
16:72 - And Allah has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature. And made for you
out of them sons and daughters and grandchildren and provided for you sustenance of the
best: will they then believe in vain things and be ungrateful for Allah's favors? 21032104
2103 Of your nature: or of yourselves. Cf. iv. 1 and n. 504, Self, or Personality, or Soul, all imply a bundle of attributes,
capacities, predilections, and dispositions, which we may sum up in the word Nafs, or nature. Woman was made to be
(1) a mate or companion for man; (2) except for sex, of the same nature as man, and therefore, with the same moral
and religious rights and duties; and (3) she is not to be considered a source of all evil or sin, as the Christian monks
characterised her but rather as a blessing, one of the favours (Ni'mat) of Allah. (16.72)
2104 Hafadat: collective plural, grandchildren, and descendants. The root hafada also implies obedient service and
ministration. Just as the sons (first mentioned) should be a source of strength, so daughters and grandchildren should
serve and contribute to the happiness of fathers and grandparents, and are to be looked upon as further blessings.
(16.72)
4:1 - O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single person created of
like nature his mate and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;
reverence Allah through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights) and (reverence) the wombs
(that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you. 504505506
504 Nafs may mean: (1) soul; (2) self; (3) person, living person; (4) will, good pleasure, as in iv. 4 below. Minha: I follow
the construction suggested by Imam Razn. The particle min would then suggest here a species, a nature, a similarity.
The pronoun ha refers of course to Nafs. (4.1)
505 All our mutual rights and duties are referred to Allah. We are His creatures: His Will is the standard and measure of
Allah; and our duties are measured by our conformity with His Will. "Our wills are ours, to make them Thine," says
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