مَا كَانَ لِأَهْلِ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ أَن يَتَخَلَّفُوا۟ عَن رَّسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَرْغَبُوا۟ بِأَنفُسِهِمْ عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ لَا يُصِيبُهُمْ ظَمَأٌ وَلَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا مَخْمَصَةٌ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَطَـُٔونَ مَوْطِئًا يَغِيظُ ٱلْكُفَّارَ وَلَا يَنَالُونَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّ نَّيْلًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُم بِهِۦ عَمَلٌ صَـٰلِحٌ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 120
Translations
It was not [proper] for the people of Madīnah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allāh or that they prefer themselves over his self. That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allāh, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that it is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.
Transliteration
Mā kāna li-ahli al-Madīnati wa-man hawlahum min al-a'rābi an yatakhallafū 'an rasūli Allāhi wa-lā yarghbū bi-anfusihim 'an nafsih. Dhālik bi-annahum lā yusībuhum zama'un wa-lā nasabun wa-lā makhmasatun fī sabīli Allāhi wa-lā yata'ūna mawti'an yaghīzu al-kuffāra wa-lā yanālūna min 'aduwwin naylan illā kutiba lahum bih 'amalun sālihun. Inna Allāha lā yudī'u ajra al-muhsinīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns the reluctance of the people of Madinah and the Bedouin Arabs to accompany the Prophet Muhammad on his expeditions, emphasizing that it was not befitting for them to refrain from supporting him or prefer their own selves over his. The ayah explains that those who strive in Allah's path—enduring thirst, fatigue, and hunger—earn righteous deeds, as every hardship faced and every step taken to anger the disbelievers is recorded as good action by Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this as a strong rebuke to those who hesitated in jihad, while emphasizing that Allah never wastes the reward of those who do good.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed during the Medinan period concerning the expedition to Tabūk (9 AH), when the Prophet called the people to mobilize against the Byzantine forces. Many made excuses and refused to participate, which prompted this stern revelation. The surah At-Tawbah itself addresses hypocrites and those who failed in their duty to support the Prophet during this critical military campaign.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari: The hadith of Jundub ibn Abdullah describing those who strived in the path of Allah and their reward. Also related is the hadith in Sunan Abu Dawud where the Prophet said, 'Whoever dies without having fought or harbored the intention to fight dies upon a branch of hypocrisy.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true devotion to Islam requires active participation and sacrifice, not mere passive acceptance or excuse-making when the community faces challenges. Every difficulty endured sincerely in the cause of Allah is recorded as righteous deeds, reminding believers that their struggles are never wasted and that Allah's justice ensures complete compensation for those who strive with sincere intentions.