وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 244
Translations
And fight in the cause of Allāh and know that Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
Transliteration
Wa qātilū fī sabīli-llāhi wa-a'lamū anna-llāha samī'un 'alīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers to fight in the cause of Allah and assures them that Allah hears and knows all things. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this verse emphasizes that Allah is fully aware of the intentions, struggles, and sacrifices of those who fight in His path, encouraging steadfastness and sincere dedication. The attributes of being 'As-Samī' (All-Hearing) and 'Al-'Alīm' (All-Knowing) serve as a reminder that no effort goes unrecognized by Allah, whether it is seen by people or not.
Revelation Context
This verse comes within the context of Surah Al-Baqarah's guidance on jihād and fighting in the path of Allah, revealed in Medina when the Muslim community faced existential threats and was commanded to defend itself. The broader context discusses the permissibility and obligation of fighting against those who persecute believers, establishing both the spiritual and practical dimensions of struggle in Islam.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the hadith 'Whoever dies without having fought or having resolved to fight, dies upon one of the branches of hypocrisy' (Sahih Muslim) relates to the obligation to strive in Allah's cause.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that their struggles and sacrifices for righteous causes are never hidden from Allah, regardless of worldly recognition, encouraging sincere effort in both spiritual and defensive endeavors with complete reliance on Divine justice. It reminds us to purify our intentions knowing that Allah is fully aware of our hearts, circumstances, and true motivations.
Related Ayahs
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
Those are the ones who have bought the life of this world [in exchange] for the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be aided.
وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
So from wherever you go out [for prayer, O Muḥammad], turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And Allāh is not unaware of what you do.
وَقَالُوا۟ لَن يَدْخُلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَن كَانَ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَـٰرَىٰ ۗ تِلْكَ أَمَانِيُّهُمْ ۗ قُلْ هَاتُوا۟ بُرْهَـٰنَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
And they say, "None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian." That is [merely] their wishful thinking. Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful."
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
But among them is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."