فَرِحَ ٱلْمُخَلَّفُونَ بِمَقْعَدِهِمْ خِلَـٰفَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَرِهُوٓا۟ أَن يُجَـٰهِدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَالُوا۟ لَا تَنفِرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْحَرِّ ۗ قُلْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ أَشَدُّ حَرًّا ۚ لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ يَفْقَهُونَ 81
Translations
Those who remained behind rejoiced in their staying [at home] after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allāh and disliked to strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allāh and said, "Do not go forth in the heat." Say, "The fire of Hell is more intense in heat" - if they would but understand.
Transliteration
Fariha al-mukhallafūn bimaqʿadihim khilāfa rasūli-llāh wa karihū an yujāhidū bi-amwālihim wa anfusihim fī sabīli-llāh wa qālū lā tanfirū fi-l-harr. Qul nāru jahannam ashaddu harran. Law kānū yafqahūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah rebukes those who remained behind from the Tabūk expedition and rejoiced in their sitting back from jihād, making excuses about the heat. The Qur'ān responds by reminding them that the Fire of Hell is far more intense than the physical heat they feared. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathīr note this addresses hypocrites and the weak in faith who prioritized comfort over their religious duty, using their complaint about heat as evidence of their reluctance to sacrifice for Allah's cause.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Tabūk expedition (9 A.H.), one of the final military campaigns led by the Prophet ﷺ against the Byzantine Romans. It came at a time of hardship—extreme heat, scarcity of provisions, and drought—which became an excuse for some to remain behind. Surah At-Tawbah addresses the hypocrites and those who made excuses not to participate in this critical defensive jihād.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4606): The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Whoever does not join the Tabūk expedition without a valid excuse has turned away from faith.' Related thematically: Muslim (1863) regarding the virtues of spending in the way of Allah and the severe punishment for those who withhold.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that believers must not allow worldly hardships or physical discomfort to deter them from fulfilling their religious obligations and responsibilities toward Allah. The ayah reminds us that temporary earthly suffering is insignificant compared to the eternal consequences of neglecting our duties—a timeless lesson about prioritizing the Hereafter over comfort in this life.