۞ فَلْيُقَـٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشْرُونَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ وَمَن يُقَـٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيُقْتَلْ أَوْ يَغْلِبْ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا 74
Translations
So let those fight in the cause of Allāh who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. And he who fights in the cause of Allāh and is killed or achieves victory - We will bestow upon him a great reward.
Transliteration
Falyuqātil fī sabīli-llāhi alladhīna yashtarūna al-hayāta ad-dunyā bi-al-ākhirati. Wa man yuqātil fī sabīli-llāhi fayuqtal aw yaghlub fasawfa nu'tīhi ajran 'aẓīmā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the believers who trade the temporary pleasures of worldly life for the eternal reward of the Hereafter to fight in the path of Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as an exhortation to jihad with sincere intention, emphasizing that those who are killed or victorious in Allah's cause will receive an immense reward. The ayah establishes a fundamental principle: prioritizing spiritual and religious values over material worldly gains demonstrates true faith and devotion.
Revelation Context
Revealed in the Medinan period when the Muslim community was establishing itself and facing military threats from polytheists and hypocrites. This ayah appears within Surah An-Nisa's broader discussion of community obligations, laws of warfare, and the qualities expected of believers, particularly addressing those hesitant about participating in defensive battles.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of deeds is to believe in Allah and His Messenger, and then to fight in His Cause' (Sahih Bukhari 2786). Also relevant: 'Whoever dies without having participated in jihad or having thought of it dies in a state of hypocrisy' (Sahih Muslim 1910).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true success lies not in material accumulation but in aligning one's actions with divine purpose—whether through literal jihad or metaphorical struggle against one's ego and desires. Modern readers can reflect on sacrificing temporary pleasures for meaningful, principled living aligned with their ultimate spiritual goals.