The Holy Quran 2:216 — Surah Al-Baqarah

Arabic text

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

Translation

Warfare (Jihaad for the pleasure of Allaah against the enemies of Islaam) has been made obligatory for you (when necessary) though you may dislike it (because of the hardship involved). It may be that you dislike something that is good for you and you may like something that is bad for you. (Whereas Jihaad seems difficult, it leads to either martyrdom or victory coupled with booty, all of which are good. On the other hand, although avoiding Jihaad seems good, it deprives one of tremendous rewards and eventually leads to the suppression of Muslims and them being humiliated by the Kaafiroon.) Allaah knows (what is good for you) and you do not know. (A Muslim should therefore carry out Allaah's orders without hesitation because Allaah's laws are correct and one should not be misled by one's own ideas, desires or assumptions.)

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The obligation of jihad: that is, fighting the enemies of religion became fard (obligatory). Note: as long as the Prophet ﷺ remained in Makkah, he was not given permission to fight. When he made hijrah to Madinah, permission to fight was given, but only against those disbelievers who themselves fought the Muslims.

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