9. [at-Tawbah, Medina 113, 9H after Tabuk]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَاهَدُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ اللّهِ...   

9: 20.  Those who believe, and suffer exile and strive with might and main, in Allah's cause, with their goods and their persons, have the highest rank in the sight of Allah:

C1270. Here is it good description of Jihad. It may require fighting in Allah's cause, its a form of self-sacrifice. But its essence consists in;

-        a true and sincere Faith, which so fixes its gaze on Allah, that all selfish or worldly motives seem paltry and fade away, and

-        an earnest and ceaseless activity, involving the sacrifice (if need be) of life, person, or property, in the service of Allah.

Mere brutal fighting is opposed to the whole spirit of Jihad, while the sincere scholar's pen or preacher's voice or wealthy man's contributions may be the most valuable forms of Jihad.

...وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ ﴿٢٠﴾  

They are the people who will achieve (salvation).

يُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُم بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنْهُ وَرِضْوَانٍ وَجَنَّاتٍ لَّهُمْ فِيهَا نَعِيمٌ مُّقِيمٌ ﴿٢١﴾

9: 21.  Their Lord doth give them Glad tidings of a Mercy from Himself, of His good pleasure, and of gardens for them, wherein are delights that endure.

Other versions:

9: 20

Asad Those who believe, and who have forsaken the domain of evil [note 30] and have striven hard in God’s cause with their possessions and their lives have the highest rank in the sight of God; and it is they, they who shall triumph [in the end]!

Pickthall Those who believe, and have left their homes and striven with their wealth and their lives in Allah's way are of much greater worth in Allah's sight. These are they who are triumphant.

Transliteration Allazina a_manu_ wa ha_jaru_ wa ja_hadu_ fi sabililla_hi bi amwa_lihim wa anfusihim, a'zamu darajatan 'indalla_h(i), wa ula_'ika humul fa_'izu_n(a).

[[ Asad’s note 30 – See surah 2, note 203, and surah 4, note 124]

[[ Ali’s notes: -

1270 Here is a good description of Jihad. It may require fighting in Allah's cause, its a form of self-sacrifice. But its essence consists in (1) a true and sincere Faith, which so fixes its gaze on Allah, that all selfish or worldly motives seem paltry and fade away, and (2) an earnest and ceaseless activity, involving the sacrifice (if need be) of life, person, or property, in the service of Allah. Mere brutal fighting is opposed to the whole spirit of Jihad, while the sincere scholar's pen or preacher's voice or wealthy man's contributions may be the most valuable forms of Jihad. (9.20)]]

9: 21

Pickthall Their Lord giveth them good tidings of mercy from Him, and acceptance, and Gardens where enduring pleasure will be theirs;

Transliteration Yubasysyiruhum rabbuhum bi rahmatim minhu wa ridwa_niw wa janna_til lahum fiha_ na'imum muqim(un).