In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
As for those who leave their homes to serve God’s cause, and are then slain or die, God will most certainly grant them a goodly provision. God is indeed the most munificent provider. He will most certainly admit them to a place with which they shall be well pleased. God is surely all-knowing, most forbearing. (The Pilgrimage, Al-Haj: 22: 58-59)
These verses begin the final passage in this Surah which has been the subject of our commentary for several weeks. The previous passage ended with an outline of the opposite destinies of the believers and those who deny God’s message. On the day when all dominion belongs to God alone, they end up in contrasting positions. All this is given within the context of God’s support of His messengers, protection of His message and the reward He has in store for those who believe and those who refuse to believe.
This passage begins with a reference to those who migrate for God’s cause. They have already been permitted to fight in defense of their faith and to defend themselves against injustice. They have been driven out of their homes against all right, for no reason other than their declaration that they believed in God alone. The passage also clarifies that God will compensate them for the property they had left behind when they migrated.
A general verdict follows which applies to those who find themselves unjustly attacked and they try to repel aggression, but then they are again subjected to tyranny and hostility. They are promised most certain support. This firm promise is followed by listing some indicators of God’s power which ensures that His promises will always come true. These highlighted indicators are seen in the universe around us. It thus suggests that God’s help to those who suffer injustice after having tried to repel aggression is a certainty in the same way as other universal laws.
At this point in the passage, the Prophet receives a direct address that each community is shown a course of action, suitable for its own circumstances. Therefore, he should not be preoccupied with arguments with unbelievers. He must not allow them a chance to dispute his method. Should they seek to argue with him, he should leave them to God who judges between them on the Day of Judgment concerning everything over which they differed. He is the One who knows the truth of what they follow, as He knows everything in the heavens and on earth.
The Surah also refers to their worship of deities that have no sanction from God, as well as their worship of beings they do not know. They are criticized for being hard hearted and for their dislike to hear the word of truth. In fact they would even attack those who recite God’s revelations to them. They are threatened with the fire which will be their ultimate abode. That is a promise that will never fail.
This is followed by an announcement to all mankind, making it clear that those whom they worship instead of God are devoid of power. Their weakness is shown in a humble image that carries no exaggeration, but the way it is presented brings their shameful weakness into sharp relief. They are shown to be unable to contend with flies, or to retrieve what a fly takes from them. Yet, unbelievers claim that such beings are deities.
The passage and the surah end with an address to the community of believers requiring them to fulfill their duties as leaders of humanity. They should prepare themselves for their task with prayer, worship and good actions, seeking God’s help and protection.
“As for those who leave their homes to serve God’s cause, and are then slain or die, God will most certainly grant them a goodly provision. God is indeed the most munificent provider. He will most certainly admit them to a place with which they shall be well pleased. God is surely all-knowing, most forbearing.”
Migration, or leaving one’s home, to serve God’s cause represents a desertion of every comfort one is keen to have, including family, community and childhood memories, as well as property and material comforts. When one puts one’s faith ahead of all that for no reason other than to earn God’s pleasure, he demonstrates that such a prize is more valuable than all material goods. Migration was possible before Makkah fell to Islam and the Islamic state was established. After that, no migration was valid. The requirement now is to strive in serving God’s cause. Whoever strives thus for God’s cause and dedicates himself to its service receives a similar reward to that of migration.
“As for those who leave their homes to serve God’s cause, and are then slain or die, God will most certainly grant them a goodly provision.” This applies whether they die in battle, earning martyrdom, or die normally in their homes. They had left their homes and property ready to face any eventuality only to serve Him. They sought martyrdom in any way it might come, sacrificing every worldly comfort. Therefore, God compensates them richly for what they had abandoned on His account: “God will most certainly grant them a goodly provision. God is indeed the most munificent provider.” Such provisions are better than everything they leave behind.
“He will most certainly admit them to a place with which they shall be well pleased.” They had departed in a way that pleases God, and in return He promises them to be well pleased with the position into which He shall admit them. It is indeed a clear aspect of the honor God grants them when He makes sure of answering their wishes and ensuring that they are pleased with what they receive from Him, when they are His servants. “God is surely all-knowing, most forbearing.” He is well aware of what they have suffered of injustice and what makes them feel well compensated. He is also forbearing, giving the unbelievers respite in order that they may realize that they are in the wrong. He eventually gives fitting reward to those who suffer injustice and fitting punishment to those who are guilty of injustice.
