9. [at-Tawbah, Medina 113, Tabuk 9H]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قُلْ إِن
كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ
وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ
وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ
وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ...
9: 24. Say:
If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates,
...وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا...
or your kindred;
the wealth that ye have gained;
the commerce in which ye fear a decline;
...وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا ...
or the dwellings in which ye delight,
C1272. Man's heart clings to;
- his own kith and kin-parents, children, brothers and sisters, husbands or wives, or other relatives,
- wealth and prosperity,
- commerce or means of profit and gain, or
- noble buildings, for dignity or comfort.
If these are a hindrance in Allah's cause, we have to choose which we love most. We must love Allah even if it involves the sacrifice of all else.
... أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ ...
are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger,
or the striving in his cause;
...فَتَرَبَّصُواْ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ...
then wait until Allah brings about His decision:
C1273. If we love our earthly ties and comfort's, profits and pleasures, more than we love Allah, and therefore fail to respond to Allah's cause, it is not Allah's cause which will suffer, Allah's purpose will be accomplished, with or without us. But our failure to respond to His will must leave us spiritually poorer, bereft of grace and guidance: "for Allah guides not the rebellious".
This is of universal application. But it was strikingly illustrated in the case of those faithful ones who obeyed the Prophet's call, left the comfort of their homes in Makkah and suffered exile in Madinah, gave up their trade and their possessions, strove and fought for Allah's cause, sometimes against their own kith and kin or their own tribesmen who were enemies of Islam. They won through. Others were not prepared for such sacrifice, but their failure did not stop the accomplishment of Allah's plan and purpose.
...وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ ﴿٢٤﴾
and Allah guides not the rebellious.
9:24
Asad ………………then wait until God makes manifest His will [note 32]; and [know that ] God does not grace iniquitous folk with His guidance.”
Pickthall Say: If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and your tribe, and the wealth ye have acquired, and merchandise for which ye fear that there will be no sale, and dwellings ye desire are dearer to you than Allah and His messenger and striving in His way: then wait till Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah guideth not wrong doing folk.
Transliteration Qul in ka_na a_ba_'ukum wa abna_'ukum wa ikhwa_nukum wa azwa_jukum wa 'asyiratukum wa amwa_luniqtaraftumu_ha_ wa tija_ratun takhsyauna kasa_daha_ wa masa_kinu tardaunaha_ ahabba ilaikum minalla_hi wa rasu_lihi wa jiha_din fi sabilihi fa tarabbasu_ hatta_ ya'tiyalla_hu bi amrih(i), walla_hu la_ yahdil qaumal fa_siqin(a).
[[ Asad’s note 32 - ……….In particular, this passage rejects the tendency to regard ties of kinship and national affiliation (expressed in the term “your clan”) as the decisive factors of social behavior, and postulates ideology (“God and His Apostle and the struggle in His cause”) as the only valid basis on which a believer’s life – individually and socially – should rest.]]
[[ Ruby’s note 9:24 – I differ with Asad in his articulation in the above note as “only valid basis on which a believer’s life …..should rest”. With this idea most of the believers would fall into the failed category. Because the love and loyalty of family, people, tribe, sect, nation etc. one belongs to are factors and they do matter and these can dictate behaviors and mindsets until these violate or become a hindrance to compliance with moral law of God. If any such factor or relationship or loyalty become an obstacle to do the right thing then one must comply with his/her conscience and place the moral law above all else. Unless and until these most natural human feelings and behavior of affection and affiliation do not violate fundamental moral principles and ethics these should be considered as part of moral and valid conducts and thus to be pursued and cherished in the pursuit of fulfillment of life. Often these feelings and actions of love and loyalty could become decisive factors and must be pursued with commitment and vigor. The fulfillment of life within the code of moral laws is also a fundamental command of Islam. To pursue fulfillment these natural feelings are dominant factors of life. However, the love and loyalty to our Creator is the highest which should supersede all other considerations in life. The main thrust or the core meaning of this verse is to set priority and not to invalidate certain feelings and actions of love and loyalty.
The term “God and His Apostle” is standing here for moral principles and the causes which one must put highest allegiance to. At any given time or situation a true believer gives highest importance to the call of conscience. Because through conscience one serves God. ]]