Al-Qur'an Surah At-Tawbah Verse 86

Mufti Taqi Usmani

When a Sūrah is revealed (saying), “Believe in Allah and carry out Jihād in the company of His Messenger” the capable ones from them seek your permission and say, “Let us remain with those sitting back.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Whenever a sûrah is revealed stating, “Believe in Allah and struggle along with His Messenger,” the rich among them would ask to be exempt, saying, “Leave us with those who remain behind.”

Ruwwad Translation Center

Whenever a Chapter is sent down [saying], “Believe in Allah and fight along with His Messenger,” the affluent among them would ask you to excuse them, saying, “Let us remain with those who stay behind.”

A. J. Arberry

And when a sura is sent down, saying, 'Believe in God, and struggle with His Messenger,' the affluent among them ask leave of thee, saying, 'Let us be with the tarriers.'

Abdul Haleem

When a sura is revealed [saying], ‘Believe in God and strive hard alongside His Messenger,’ their wealthy ask your permission [to be exempt], saying, ‘Allow us to stay behind with the others’:

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And whenever any Surah is sent down commanding: believe in Allah and strive hard in the company of His apostle, the opulent among them ask leave of thee, and say: leave us; we shall be with those who stay.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

When a Sura comes down, enjoining them to believe in Allah and to strive and fight along with His Messenger, those with wealth and influence among them ask thee for exemption, and say; "Leave us (behind); we would be with those who sit (at home)."

Abul Ala Maududi

And whenever any surah is revealed enjoining: "Believe in Allah and strive (in His Way) along with His Messenger," the affluent among them ask you to excuse them, saying: "Leave us with those who will sit back at home."

Ahmed Ali

Whenever a Surah is revealed (which says): "Believe in God and fight along with His Prophet," the well-to-do among them ask for leave to stay at home, and say: "Leave us with those who are left behind."

Ahmed Raza Khan

And when a chapter is sent down that “Accept faith in Allah and fight along with His Noble Messenger”, the men of means among them seek exemption from you and say, “Leave us, for us to be with those who sit.”

Ali Quli Qarai

When a surah is sent down [declaring]: ‘Have faith in Allah, and wage jihad along with His Apostle, the affluent among them ask you for leave, and say, ‘Let us remain with those who sit back.’

Ali Ünal

(Indeed they are unbelievers, and never want to go forth to war in God’s cause.) Whenever a surah is sent down (calling them): "Believe in God and strive in God’s cause in the company of His Messenger," (even) those of them who are well able (to go to war) ask you to excuse them, saying: "Leave us to be with those who are to stay at home."

Amatul Rahman Omar

And when a Sûrah (- Qur´ânic chapter) is revealed (enjoining), `Believe in Allâh and strive along with His Messenger (in the cause of Allâh) even the well-to-do among them ask leave of you and say, `Leave us alone to be with those who stay (at home).´

English Literal

And if a chapter was descended: "That believe by God, and struggle/do your utmost with His messenger." Those of the wealth/arrogance asked for permission/pardon from you, and they said: "Leave us be with the sitting/remaining."

Faridul Haque

And when a chapter is sent down that "Accept faith in Allah and fight along with His Noble Messenger", the men of means among them seek exemption from you and say, "Leave us, for us to be with those who sit."

Hamid S. Aziz

Whenever a verse is sent down to them, saying "Believe you in Allah, and strive along with His Messenger," the men of wealth will ask you for leave to stay at home and say, "Let us be amongst those who stay behind."

Hilali & Khan

And when a Surah (chapter from the Quran) is revealed, enjoining them to believe in Allah and to strive hard and fight along with His Messenger, the wealthy among them ask your leave to exempt them (from Jihad) and say, "Leave us (behind), we would be with those who sit (at home)."

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And let not their wealth and their children excite thy admiration. Allah only intends to chastise them thereby in this world, and (that) their souls may depart while they are disbelievers.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And whenever a chapter is revealed, saying: Believe in Allah and strive hard along with His Apostle, those having ampleness of means ask permission of you and say: Leave us (behind), that we may be with those who sit.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And when a surah is revealed (which saith): Believe in Allah and strive along with His messenger, the men of wealth among them still ask leave of thee and say: Suffer us to be with those who sit (at home).

Muhammad Sarwar

When a chapter of the Quran is revealed telling them to believe in God and fight along with His Messenger for His cause against His enemies, the healthy and rich ones of them ask you to exempt them from taking part in the battle for the cause of God and to let them stay home with the people who are of no help in the battle.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Whenever a chapter is sent down, saying: 'Believe in Allah and struggle with His Messenger' the rich among them asked you to excuse them, saying: 'Leave us with those who are to stay behind'

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And when a Surah is revealed, enjoining them to believe in Allah and to strive hard and fight along with His Messenger, the wealthy among them ask your leave to exempt them and say, "Leave us (behind), we would be with those who sit (at home)."

Wahiduddin Khan

When a chapter is revealed enjoining, "Believe in God and strive for the cause of God along with His Messenger," the wealthy among them ask you to exempt them saying, "Let us stay with those who are to stay behind."

Talal Itani

When a chapter is revealed, stating: “Believe in God and strive with His Messenger,” the prominent among them ask you for exemption. They say, “Allow us to stay with those who stay behind.”

Tafsir jalalayn

And when a sra, that is, a section of the Qur'n, is revealed, saying; `Believe in God and strive with His Messenger', the affluent among them ask leave of you, saying, `Leave us to be with those who sit at home'.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Admonishing Those Who did not join the Jihad

Allah says;

وَإِذَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ أَنْ امِنُواْ بِاللّهِ وَجَاهِدُواْ مَعَ رَسُولِهِ اسْتَأْذَنَكَ أُوْلُواْ الطَّوْلِ مِنْهُمْ وَقَالُواْ

And when a Surah is revealed, enjoining them to believe in Allah and to strive hard and fight along with His Messenger, the wealthy among them ask your leave to exempt them and say,

Allah chastises and admonishes those who stayed away from Jihad and refrained from performing it, even though they had the supplies, means and ability to join it. They asked the Messenger for permission to stay behind, saying,

ذَرْنَا نَكُن
مَّعَ الْقَاعِدِينَ



"Leave us (behind), we would be with those who sit (at home)."

thus accepting for themselves the shame of lagging behind with women, after the army had left. If war starts, such people are the most cowardice, but when it is safe, they are the most boastful among men.

Allah described them in another Ayah,

فَإِذَا جَأءَ الْخَوْفُ رَأَيْتَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ تَدورُ أَعْيُنُهُمْ كَالَّذِى يُغْشَى عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ الْخَوْفُ سَلَقُوكُم بِأَلْسِنَةٍ حِدَادٍ

Then when fear comes, you will see them looking to you, their eyes revolving like (those of) one over whom hovers death; but when the fear departs, they will smite you with sharp tongues. (33;19)

their tongues direct their harsh words against you, when it is safe to do so. In battle, however, they are the most cowardice among men.

Allah said in other Ayah,

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَوْلَا نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَإِذَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُّحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا الْقِتَالُ رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ مَّرَضٌ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ نَظَرَ الْمَغْشِىِّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ فَأَوْلَى لَهُمْ

طَاعَةٌ وَقَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ فَإِذَا عَزَمَ الاٌّمْرُ فَلَوْ صَدَقُواْ اللَّهَ لَكَانَ خَيْراً لَّهُمْ

Those who believe say;"Why is not a Surah sent down (for us)! But when a decisive Surah (explaining and ordering things) is sent down, and fighting is mentioned therein, you will see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at you with a look of one fainting to death. But it was better for them. Obedience (to Allah) and good words (were better for them). And when the matter is resolved on, then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them. (47;20-21)

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