أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ قِيلَ لَهُمْ كُفُّوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمْ يَخْشَوْنَ ٱلنَّاسَ كَخَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْ أَشَدَّ خَشْيَةً ۚ وَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبْتَ عَلَيْنَا ٱلْقِتَالَ لَوْلَآ أَخَّرْتَنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ ۗ قُلْ مَتَـٰعُ ٱلدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا 77
Translations
Have you not seen those who were told, "Restrain your hands [from fighting] and establish prayer and give zakāh"? But then when battle was ordained for them, at once a party of them feared men as they fear Allāh or with [even] greater fear. They said, "Our Lord, why have You decreed upon us fighting? If only You had postponed [it for] us for a short time." Say, "The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for he who fears Allāh. And injustice will not be done to you, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed]."
Transliteration
Alam tara ilal-ladhina qila lahum kuffoo aydiyakum wa aqimis-salata wa aatuz-zakata falam-ma kutiba alayhimul-qital idha fariqun minhum yakhshawun-nasa ka-khashyatil-lahi aw ashadda khashyatan wa qalu rabbana lima katabta alayna al-qital lawla akhkhartana ila ajalin qarrib. Qul mata'ud-dunya qalilun wal-akhiratu khayrun li-mani-ttaqa wa la tuzhlamun fatilan.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses believers who, when commanded to refrain from fighting during the Meccan period and focus on prayer and charity, later hesitated when fighting became obligatory after the Hijra, fearing human harm more than fearing Allah. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari explain this refers to those whose faith wavered when faced with the actual hardship of jihad, despite their earlier eagerness. The ayah rebukes their inconsistency and their misplaced fear, reminding them that worldly life is temporary while the Hereafter is far superior for the God-conscious, and that they will not be wronged even by a thread's worth.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Madinah during the period when fighting was being legislated for the Muslims. The context addresses the psychological struggle of some believers who had called for permission to fight during the Meccan oppression, but when fighting became obligatory (particularly around the time of Badr), some showed hesitation and fear of the enemy. This reflects the transition from patience during Meccan persecution to active defense in Madinah.
Related Hadiths
The principle of fear of Allah superseding fear of people is reinforced in the hadith: 'Whoever fears Allah, Allah will make him feared by others' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, Abu Bakr's statement during times of difficulty exemplifies this ayah's lesson about prioritizing eternal reward over temporal safety.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must examine the consistency of their faith and ensure their actions align with their professed beliefs; true strength lies in fearing Allah alone rather than fearing harm from others, and the temporary pleasures and pains of this world should never outweigh our concern for the eternal reward of the Hereafter.