Surah At-Tawba (9) — Ayah 19

19. 1. The polytheists used to take great pride in providing water to the pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque, and in comparison, they gave no importance to faith and striving in the way of Allah, which was emphasized among the Muslims. Allah Almighty said: Do you consider the giving of water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque equal to faith in Allah and striving in the way of Allah? Remember, these are not equal in the sight of Allah; rather, no deed of a polytheist is accepted, even if it appears to be good. As has already been made clear in the phrase of a previous verse (حَبِطَتْ اَعْمَالُهُمْ) 2. Al-Baqarah:217). In some narrations, the reason for its revelation is mentioned as a conversation among the Muslims themselves: one day, some Muslims were gathered near the pulpit of the Prophet, and one of them said that after embracing Islam, the greatest deed in his view was giving water to the pilgrims; another said it was maintaining the Sacred Mosque; a third said rather, striving in the way of Allah is better than all the deeds you have mentioned. When Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) heard them arguing in this way, he scolded them and said: Do not raise your voices near the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. It was Friday. The narrator of the hadith, Nu'man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him), says that after Friday, he presented himself before the Prophet ﷺ and inquired about their conversation, upon which this verse was revealed. (Sahih Muslim) In which it was made clear that faith in Allah, faith in the Hereafter, and striving in the way of Allah are the most important and virtuous deeds. In the context of the conversation, the main importance and virtue to be stated was that of striving in the way of Allah, but since no deed is accepted without faith in Allah, it was mentioned first. In any case, from this it is learned, firstly, that there is no deed greater than striving in the way of Allah. Secondly, it is learned that the reason for its revelation, besides the false notions of the polytheists, was also that some Muslims, on their own, gave more importance to certain deeds over others, whereas this is the prerogative of the Lawgiver, not the believers. The task of the believers is to act upon whatever is conveyed to them by Allah and His Messenger.

19. 2. That is, no matter what claims these people make, in reality they are wrongdoers, meaning they are polytheists, because polytheism is the greatest wrongdoing. Due to this wrongdoing, they are deprived of divine guidance. Therefore, there is no comparison between them and the Muslims, who are blessed with divine guidance.