9: 38 [at-Tawbah, Medina 113, 9H]

Asad O you who have attend to faith! What is amiss with you that, when you are called upon, “Go forth to war in God’s cause,” you cling heavily to the earth? [note 59]….But the enjoyment of life in this world is but a paltry thing when compared with the life to come!

Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! what is the matter with you then when ye are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life as compared with the hereafter.

Pickthall O ye who believe! What aileth you that when it is said unto you: Go forth in the way of Allah, ye are bowed down to the ground with heaviness. Take ye pleasure in the life of the world rather than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu_ ma_ lakum iza_ qila lakumunfiru_ fi sabililla_hissa_qaltum ilal ard(i), araditum bil haya_tid dunya_ minal a_khirah(ti), fama_ mata_'ul haya_tid dunya_ fil a_khirati illa_ qalil(un).

[[ Asad’s ntoe 59 – ………………This verse – as well as most of this surah from here onward – alludes to the campaign of Tabuk, in the year 9H. The immediate reason for this expedition was the information which the Prophet received to the effect that the Byzantines, made apprehensive by the rapid growth of Islam in Arabia and incited by the Prophet’s enemy Abu Amir (see note 142 on verse 107 of this surah), were assembling large forces on the confines of the Peninsula with a view to marching against Medina and overthrowing the Muslims. To guard against such an assault, the Prophet assembled the strongest force the Muslims were capable of, and set out in the month of Rajib, 9H, towards the frontier. On reaching Tabuk, about half-way between Medina and Damascus, the Prophet ascertained that the Byzantines were either not yet ready to invade Arabia or had entirely given up the idea for the time being; and so – in accordance with the Islamic principle that war may be waged only in self-defense – he returned with his followers to Medina without engaging in hostilities.

At the time of preparation for this expedition, the hypocrites and a minority among the believers displayed an extreme reluctance (referred to in this and the following verses) to embark on a war with Byzantium: and it is this minority that the above verse reproaches for “clinging heavily to the earth” (Manar X, 493).

16: 96 [an-Nahl, Mecca 70]

Yusuf Ali What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will endure. And We will certainly bestow on those who patiently persevere their reward according to the best of their actions.

Pickthall That which ye have wasteth away, and that which Allah hath remaineth. And verily We shall pay those who are steadfast a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.

Transliteration Ma_ 'indakum yanfadu wa ma_ 'indalla_hi ba_q(in), wa lanajziyannal lazina sabaru_ ajrahum bi ahsani ma_ ka_nu_ ya'malu_n(a).