The Holy Quran 48:16 — Surah Al-Fath

Arabic text

قُل لِّلْمُخَلَّفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَىٰ قَوْمٍ أُو۟لِى بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ تُقَـٰتِلُونَهُمْ أَوْ يُسْلِمُونَ ۖ فَإِن تُطِيعُوا۟ يُؤْتِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا ۖ وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ كَمَا تَوَلَّيْتُم مِّن قَبْلُ يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

Translation

Tell those villagers who were left behind, "(Do not despair if you cannot fight in Khaybar because) You will soon be called to (fight against) a nation of immense strength whom you will fight or who will accept Islaam (without a fight). If you obey (the call and march in Jihaad), Allaah will accord (give) you a grand reward, but if you turn away like you did in the past, Allaah will inflict a painful punishment on you.”

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

News of battles to come: that is, be patient a little. You cannot go on this campaign, but many battles lie ahead. The Muslims will face extremely warlike peoples, and this will continue until those peoples submit to Islam, either by becoming Muslims or by paying jizyah (the poll tax on non-Muslims) and the like.

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