Who are exempt from a Jihad-War:

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.

Asad’s Version:

9: 91 [But] no blame shall attach to the weak, nor to the sick, nor to those who have no means, provided that they are sincere towards God and His Apostle: there is no cause to reproach the doers of good, for God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.

9: 92 Nor [shall blame attach ] to those who, when came unto you that you provide them with mounts, were told by you, “I cannot find anything whereon to mount you” – they turned away, their eyes overflowing with tears out of sorrow that they had no means to spend [on their equipment]