The Holy Quran 9:120 — Surah At-Tawbah

Arabic text

مَا كَانَ لِأَهْلِ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ أَن يَتَخَلَّفُوا۟ عَن رَّسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَرْغَبُوا۟ بِأَنفُسِهِمْ عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ لَا يُصِيبُهُمْ ظَمَأٌ وَلَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا مَخْمَصَةٌ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَطَـُٔونَ مَوْطِئًا يَغِيظُ ٱلْكُفَّارَ وَلَا يَنَالُونَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّ نَّيْلًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُم بِهِۦ عَمَلٌ صَـٰلِحٌ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

Translation

It is not (appropriate) for the people of Madinah and those villagers (the desert Arabs) around them to remain behind (when) the Rasool of Allaah (proceeds in Jihaad) or to prefer their lives over his. This (act of remaining behind when Rasulullaah proceeds in Jihaad) is (not appropriate) because (the reward of) a good deed will be recorded for them (in their favour) for every bit of thirst, tiredness and hunger that afflicts them in the path of Allaah; as well as (the reward of a good deed will be recorded in their favour) for every step that they take by which the Kuffaar are angered and (the reward of a good deed will be recorded in their favour for) anything that they take from the Kuffaar (in battle). Certainly, Allaah does not put the reward of the righteous ones to waste.

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The story of Abu Khaythamah ﵁: that is, it is not right that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ should endure hardships while we sit at ease. It is related in a hadith that Abu Khaythamah ﵁ too had stayed behind from the expedition of Tabuk. After the departure of the Prophet ﷺ he went into his garden.

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