Surah At-Tawba (9) — Ayah 41

(Ayah 41) ➊ {اِنْفِرُوْا خِفَافًا وَّ ثِقَالًا … :} After threatening with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter for not setting out for Tabuk, and mentioning that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is not in need of anyone’s help except Allah, now, with emphasis, all Muslims are commanded to set out for battle; this is called “general mobilization” (Nafeer ‘Aam). After this command, it becomes obligatory for every Muslim to set out; there is no longer any need for parental or anyone else’s permission. The words “light and heavy” are general, so everyone is included in this: whether one feels inclined or not, is well-off or poor, single or with dependents, young or old, armed or unarmed—set out for jihad in every condition. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that Abu Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) recited this verse of the Qur’an: «اِنْفِرُوْا خِفَافًا وَّ ثِقَالًا » and said: “I understand that Allah has commanded both us old and young to set out.” His children said: “Dear father! You fought in battles with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) until he passed away, and also with Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), so we will fight in your place.” But he did not agree, so he set out on a sea journey, until he passed away. For seven days, no island was found to bury him, and during this time, his body did not change at all. [ مستدرک حاکم : 353/3، ح : ۵۵۰۸، صححہ الحاکم و سکت عنہ الذھبی ] Similarly, Miqdad bin Aswad (may Allah be pleased with him), despite old age and a heavy body, set out. A man said to him, “If only you would not go to battle this year,” so he replied: “Surah Bahooth (Tawbah) does not permit us to sit back; Allah has said: « اِنْفِرُوْا خِفَافًا وَّ ثِقَالًا» ‘Set out, whether light or heavy,’ and I find myself to be light.” [ السنن الکبرٰی للبیہقی : 21/9، ح : ۱۸۲۵۶ ]

Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) participated in Badr with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and except for one year, he never stayed behind from any battle of the Muslims. According to history books, at the age of ninety, he joined the army going to Constantinople, whose commander was Yazid bin Muawiyah. He fell ill, so Yazid came to visit him. He asked: “If you have any wish, tell me.” He said: “My wish is that when I die, mount your horses and go as far as you can into the enemy’s land; when you can go no further, bury me there, then return.” Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) used to recite this verse: « اِنْفِرُوْا خِفَافًا وَّ ثِقَالًا » and say: “So I will either be light or heavy,” meaning the command is to set out in every condition. [مستدرک حاکم : 458/3، ح : ۵۹۳۰، سکت عنہ الذھبی ]

➋ For details on when setting out for jihad becomes obligatory on a person in every condition, see the footnotes of Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah (216).

41. 1. Its various meanings have been stated, for example: individually or collectively, willingly or unwillingly, whether poor or rich, young or old, on foot or mounted, with family or without family. Whether he is among the vanguard or included in the rear of the army. Imam Shawkani says that the verse can be applied to all meanings, because the meaning of the verse is: "You set out, whether movement is heavy upon you or light." And within this meaning, all the aforementioned interpretations are included.

Go forth, whether light or heavy [45], and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah. That is better for you, if only you knew.

[45] This sentence can have several meanings: that is, whether you go out willingly and eagerly or reluctantly and with a heavy heart, or whether you go out in a state of destitution or with provisions and equipment, and whether you are on foot or mounted, alone or with family, poor or needy—whatever the situation, you must go forth in the way of Allah. And striving with your wealth and your lives is better for you. From this verse, it is also understood that as long as an Islamic government does not make a general declaration of jihad, jihad remains a collective obligation (fard kifayah), but when such a declaration is made, jihad becomes an individual obligation (fard ‘ayn) upon the Muslims.