لَّا يَسْتَوِى ٱلْقَـٰعِدُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ غَيْرُ أُو۟لِى ٱلضَّرَرِ وَٱلْمُجَـٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَـٰهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ عَلَى ٱلْقَـٰعِدِينَ دَرَجَةً ۚ وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَفَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَـٰهِدِينَ عَلَى ٱلْقَـٰعِدِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا 95
Translations
Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujāhideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allāh with their wealth and their lives. Allāh has preferred the mujāhideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to all [i.e., both] Allāh has promised the best [reward]. But Allāh has preferred the mujāhideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward -
Transliteration
Lā yastawi al-qāʿidūn min al-muʾminīn ghayru ulī al-ḍarar wa-al-mujāhidūn fī sabīl Allāh bi-amwālihim wa-anfusihim. Faḍḍal Allāh al-mujāhidīn bi-amwālihim wa-anfusihim ʿalā al-qāʿidīn darajah. Wa-kullan waʿad Allāh al-ḥusnā. Wa-faḍḍal Allāh al-mujāhidīn ʿalā al-qāʿidīn ajran ʿaẓīmah.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that the believers who engage in jihad (striving in the way of Allah) with their wealth and lives are not equal to those who remain behind, except those prevented by legitimate hardship. Allah has granted the mujahideen a higher degree (darajah) and an immense reward over those who remain behind, while promising both groups goodness. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse establishes a hierarchy of spiritual rank based on sacrifice and effort, encouraging active participation in defending the faith while maintaining mercy for those with valid excuses such as illness, disability, or family obligations.
Revelation Context
This verse was revealed in Medina during the period of the Islamic state's establishment, when Muslims faced military threats and the question of participation in defensive jihad became relevant. It reflects the historical context of the early Muslim community's struggles and addresses concerns about those who could fight but chose not to, while establishing exemptions for the legitimately disabled and infirm.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4398): The Prophet ﷺ said, 'The best of people are those with the most excellent character.' Related to effort and virtue. Sunan An-Nasa'i reports that the Prophet ﷺ said the reward of the mujahid and the one who aids him are equal, indicating nuanced recognition of different forms of contribution.
Themes
Key Lesson
While this ayah emphasizes the spiritual reward of active struggle and sacrifice in Allah's cause, it also teaches compassion by recognizing legitimate hardships that prevent participation, reminding us that sincere intention and effort within one's capacity matter most. For modern readers, this encourages meaningful contribution to one's faith and community according to individual circumstances, whether through direct action, financial support, advocacy, or prayer.
Related Ayahs
وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِۦ ۖ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا
And there is none from the People of the Scripture but that he will surely believe in him [i.e., Jesus] before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection he will be against them a witness.
يَعِدُهُمْ وَيُمَنِّيهِمْ ۖ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا
He [i.e., Satan] promises them and arouses desire in them. But Satan does not promise them except delusion.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ فَقَـٰتِلُوٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا
Those who believe fight in the cause of Allāh, and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of ṭāghūt. So fight against the allies of Satan. Indeed, the plot of Satan has ever been weak.
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ أَن يَقْتُلَ مُؤْمِنًا إِلَّا خَطَـًٔا ۚ وَمَن قَتَلَ مُؤْمِنًا خَطَـًٔا فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ وَدِيَةٌ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن يَصَّدَّقُوا۟ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوْمٍ عَدُوٍّ لَّكُمْ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوْمٍۭ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُم مِّيثَـٰقٌ فَدِيَةٌ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِۦ وَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ تَوْبَةً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
And never is it for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake - then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation payment [diyah] presented to his [i.e., the deceased's] family [is required], unless they give [up their right as] charity. But if he [i.e., the deceased] was from a people at war with you and he was a believer - then [only] the freeing of a believing slave; and if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty - then a compensation payment presented to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find [one or cannot afford to buy one] - then [instead], a fast for two months consecutively, [seeking] acceptance of repentance from Allāh. And Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.