9.surah At tawbah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِنَّمَا السَّبِيلُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَسْتَأْذِنُونَكَ وَهُمْ أَغْنِيَاء...   

9: 93.  The ground (of complaint) is against such as claim exemption while they are rich.

... رَضُواْ بِأَن يَكُونُواْ مَعَ الْخَوَالِفِ ...

They prefer to stay with the (women) who remain behind:

... وَطَبَعَ اللّهُ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٩٣﴾

Allah hath sealed their hearts; so they know not (what they miss).

C1345. Cf. 9:87, where similar phrases are used for a similar shirking of duty by towns-folk, while here we are considering the desert folk.

It is not only a duty, but a precious privilege, to serve a great Cause by personal self-sacrifice. Those who shirk such an opportunity know not what they miss.

Others version:

9: 93

Asad …………..fully able [to go to war] (note 126)

Pickthall The road (of blame) is only against those who ask for leave of thee (to stay at home) when they are rich. They are content to be with the useless. Allah hath sealed their hearts so that they know not.

Transliteration Innamas sabilu 'alal lazina yasta'zinu_naka wa hum agniya_'(u), radu_ bi ay yaku_nu_ ma'al khawa_lif(i), wa taba'alla_hu 'ala_ qulu_bihim fahum la_ ya'lamu_n(a).

[[ Asad’s note 126 – Lit., “who ask thee for exemption while they are rich.” The term “ghani” denotes “one who is rich” or “free from want” or “self-sufficient”; in this context it obviously refers to physical competence in addition to financial means:……..]]