فَإِن رَّجَعَكَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَىٰ طَآئِفَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ فَٱسْتَـْٔذَنُوكَ لِلْخُرُوجِ فَقُل لَّن تَخْرُجُوا۟ مَعِىَ أَبَدًا وَلَن تُقَـٰتِلُوا۟ مَعِىَ عَدُوًّا ۖ إِنَّكُمْ رَضِيتُم بِٱلْقُعُودِ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ فَٱقْعُدُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلْخَـٰلِفِينَ 83
Translations
If Allāh should return you to a faction of them [after the expedition] and then they ask your permission to go out [to battle], say, "You will not go out with me, ever, and you will never fight with me an enemy. Indeed, you were satisfied with sitting [at home] the first time, so sit [now] with those who stay behind."
Transliteration
Fa-in raja'aka Allahu ila ta'ifah minhum fa-astadhnuka lil-khuruj faqul lan takhruju ma'iya abadan wa-lan tuqatilu ma'iya 'aduwwan innakum radiitum bi-al-qu'ud awwal marrah faq'idu ma'a al-khalifin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses those who shirked their duty in the Tabuk expedition and later sought permission to join future battles. The Prophet is commanded to permanently exclude them from military campaigns, as their initial refusal to participate demonstrated a lack of sincere commitment to the Islamic cause. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this punishment reflects divine justice—those who abandon their religious obligations when called cannot be trusted with future responsibilities, and their presence would only weaken the Muslim ranks.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Tabuk expedition (9 AH), one of the most difficult campaigns undertaken by the Prophet. A group of Muslims refused to participate, and when the Prophet returned victorious, some sought to join future expeditions. This ayah addresses that specific situation, establishing a principle of accountability for those who neglect their duties when the community needs them most.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim record that the Prophet refused to accept the repentance of the three Companions (Ka'b ibn Malik, Murarah ibn Rabia, and Hilal ibn Umayyah) for fifty nights after the Tabuk expedition, demonstrating the severity of abandoning jihad. Additionally, the hadith literature emphasizes that sincere repentance requires actions, not mere words.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that words of commitment mean little without demonstrated action when the community faces trials; true faith is proven through sacrifice and presence in times of difficulty. For modern believers, it serves as a reminder that one cannot selectively engage with religious obligations—commitment to Islam requires consistency and dedication, especially when the stakes are highest.