4. Sura an-Nisa
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
فَلْيُقَاتِلْ
فِي سَبِيلِ
اللّهِ الَّذِينَ
يَشْرُونَ
الْحَيَاةَ
الدُّنْيَا
بِالآخِرَةِ
...
4: 74. Let those fight in the Cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter,
C591. It is not every one, -least of all, poltroons and faint-hearted persons- who is fit to fight in the cause of Allah.
To do so is a privilege, and those who understand the privilege are prepared to sacrifice all their interests in this life, and this life itself; for they know that it is the sacrifice of something fleeting and of little value, for the sake of something everlasting, and of immense value. Whether (in appearance) they win or lose, in reality they win the prize for which they are fighting, -viz., honour and glory in the sight of Allah.
Note that the only alternatives here are Death or Victory! The true fighter knows no defeat.
... وَمَن يُقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَيُقْتَلْ أَو يَغْلِبْ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿٧٤﴾
to him who fighteth in the Cause of Allah, whether he is slain or gets victory, soon shall We give him a reward of great (value).
4: 74
asad Hence, let them fight in God's cause - all who are willing to barter the life of this would for the life to come: for unto him who fights in God's cause, whether he be slain or be victorious, We shall in time grant a mighty reward.
Pickthall Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward.
Transliteration Falyuqa_til fi sabililla_hil lazina yasyru_nal haya_tad dunya_ bil a_ khirah(ti), wa may yuqa_til fi sabililla_hi fayuqtal au yaglib fasaufa nu'tihi ajran 'azima_(n).