Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 95

(Ayah 95) ➊ { لَا يَسْتَوِي الْقٰعِدُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ …:} In the case when jihad becomes an individual obligation (fard ‘ayn), then no person is permitted to stay at home without a valid excuse; rather, in such a situation, not participating in jihad is clear hypocrisy. However, when there is no general call (nafir ‘aam) for everyone to go forth, and the leader announces that whoever is able to go for jihad should go, and whoever cannot go due to his work is permitted to stay at home, then in such a case, this verse mentions the virtue of the one who goes out for jihad—that is, even though going out for jihad is not obligatory, those who go out for jihad and those who stay at home cannot be equal. It is narrated from Zayd bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) that when this verse was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) called me. I presented myself for writing, and Abdullah bin Umm Maktum (may Allah be pleased with him), who was blind, came and said, “By Allah! O Messenger of Allah! If I were able to do jihad with you, I would certainly do so.” At that very moment, Allah revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) the phrase {”غَيْرُ اُولِي الضَّرَرِ“} (those who have no difficulty), and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had me write it down. [ بخاری، التفسیر، باب : « لا یستوی القاعدون من المؤمنین » : ۴۵۹۲ ] It is understood from this that a person who intends to do jihad but is unable due to some difficulty and, because of an excuse, cannot participate in jihad, can be equal to the mujahideen. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There are some people in Madinah who, whatever distance you traveled and whatever valleys you crossed, they were with you.” The companions said, “O Messenger of Allah! But they are in Madinah?” He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “(Yes), even though they are in Madinah, but an excuse prevented them from participating in jihad.” [ بخاری، المغازی، بابٌ : ۴۴۲۳، عن أنس رضی اللہ عنہ ] This is also supported by several other narrations. It is narrated from Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whenever any Muslim is afflicted with a trial in his body, Allah commands the guardian angels who protect him to write for My servant the same deeds as he used to do when he was healthy, as long as he remains in My grip.” [ أحمد، ۲؍۱۹۴، ح : ۶۸۲۵، صحیح علی شرط مسلم ]

➋ { وَ كُلًّا وَّعَدَ اللّٰهُ الْحُسْنٰى:} That is, those who strive with their lives and wealth in jihad will attain a virtue that those who do not participate in jihad will be deprived of, although Allah has promised good to both. From this, the scholars have deduced that in normal circumstances, going out for jihad is not an individual obligation, but a collective obligation (fard kifayah), meaning that if enough people participate in jihad as needed, then the obligation is considered fulfilled on behalf of the rest of the people of that area. However, if not enough people go forth as needed, then all are considered sinful.