9. [at-Tawbah, Medina 113, 9H after Tabuk]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
لَّيْسَ عَلَى
الضُّعَفَاء
وَلاَ عَلَى
الْمَرْضَى
وَلاَ عَلَى
الَّذِينَ لاَ
يَجِدُونَ مَا
يُنفِقُونَ
حَرَجٌ ...
9: 91. There is no blame on those who are infirm, or ill, or who find no resources to spend (on the cause),
C1343. Though active service in person or by contributing resources is expected in emergencies of every person who believes in the Cause, there are some who must necessarily be exempted without the least blame attaching to them.
Such would be those who are weak in body on account of age, sex, infirmity, or illness. Personal service in their case is out of the question, but they could contribute towards expenses if they are able. But if they are too poor to afford even such assistance, they are excused. But in all cases the motive must be sincere, and there should be a desire to serve and do such duty as they can.
With such motives people are doing good or right in whatever form they express their service: sometimes, in Milton's words, "they also serve who only stand and wait."
In any case their purity of motive would get Allah's grace and forgiveness, and we must not criticize even if we thought they might have done more.
... إِذَا نَصَحُواْ لِلّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ...
if they are sincere (in duty) to Allah and His Messenger:
... مَا عَلَى الْمُحْسِنِينَ مِن سَبِيلٍ...
no ground (of complaint) can there be against such as do right:
... وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٩١﴾
and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
وَلاَ عَلَى
الَّذِينَ إِذَا
مَا أَتَوْكَ
لِتَحْمِلَهُمْ...
9: 92. Nor (is there blame) on those who came to thee to be provided with mounts,
C1344. Hamala, yahmilu, here seems to mean: to provide means of transport, viz., mounts (horses, camels, etc.) for riding, and perhaps beasts of burden for carrying equipment and baggage, suitable to the rank of those concerned.
It may possibly mean other facilities for getting about, such as boots and shoes, or provisions: for an army's march depends upon all these things.
Where people fight as volunteers for a cause, without an extensive war fund, those who can afford it provide such things for themselves, but those without means, yet anxious to serve, have to be left behind. Their disappointment is in proportion to their eagerness to serve.
... قُلْتَ لاَ أَجِدُ مَا أَحْمِلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ ...
and when thou saidst, "I can find no mounts for you,"
... تَوَلَّواْ وَّأَعْيُنُهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ حَزَنًا أَلاَّ يَجِدُواْ مَا يُنفِقُونَ ﴿٩٢﴾
they turned back,
their eyes streaming with tears of grief that they had no resources wherewith to provide the expenses.
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.
يَعْتَذِرُونَ
إِلَيْكُمْ
إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ
إِلَيْهِمْ...
9: 94. They will present their excuses to you when ye return to them.
... قُل لاَّ تَعْتَذِرُواْ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكُمْ قَدْ نَبَّأَنَا اللّهُ مِنْ أَخْبَارِكُمْ...
Say thou:
"Present no excuses: we shall not believe you:
Allah hath already informed us of the true state of matters concerning you:
... وَسَيَرَى اللّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ...
it is your actions that Allah and His Messenger will observe:
... ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَى عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ...
in the end will ye be brought back to Him who knoweth what is hidden and what is open:
... فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٩٤﴾
then will He show you the truth of all that ye did.
9: 91
Asad [But] no blame shall attach to the weak, not to the sick, not to those who have no means to [to equip themselves] (note 125), provided that they are sincere towards God and His Apostle:
Pickthall Not unto the weak nor unto the sick nor unto those who can find naught to spend is any fault (to be imputed though they stay at home) if they are true to Allah and His messenger. Not unto the good is there any road (of blame). Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Transliteration Laisa 'alad du'afa_'i wa la_ 'alal marda_ wa la_ 'alal lazina la_ yajidu_na ma_ yufiqu_na harajun iza_ nasahu_ lilla_hi wa rasu_lih(i), ma_'alal muhsinina min sabil(in), walla_hu gafu_rur rahim(uw);
[[ Asad’s note 125 – Lit., “who do not find anything to spend”, i.e., on their equipment. AT the time in question a public treasury did not yet exist, and every participant in a military expedition was expected to provide his own weapons and mounts.]]
9: 92
Pickthall Nor unto those whom, when they came to thee (asking) that thou shouldest mount them, thou didst tell: I cannot find whereon to mount you. They turned back with eyes flowing with tears, for sorrow that they could not find the means to spend.
Transliteration Wa la_ 'alal lazina iza_ ma_ atauka litahmilahum qulta la_ ajidu ma_ ahmilukum 'alaih(i), tawallau wa a'yunuhum tafidu minad dam'i hazanal la_ yajidu_ ma_ yunfiqu_n(a).
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:……..]]
9: 94
Pickthall They will make excuse to you (Muslims) when ye return unto them. Say: Make no excuse, for we shall not believe you. Allah hath told us tidings of you. Allah and His messenger will see your conduct, and then ye will be brought back unto Him Who knoweth the invisible as well as the visible, and He will tell you what ye used to do.
Transliteration Ya'taziru_na ilaikum iza_ raja'tum ilaihim, qul la_ ta'taziru_ lan nu'mina lakum qad nabba'analla_hu min akhba_rikum wa sayaralla_hu 'amalakum wa rasu_luhu_ summa turaddu_na ila_ 'a_limil gaibi wasy syaha_dati fayunabbi'ukum bima_ kuntum ta'malu_n(a).