Surah At-Tawba (9) — Ayah 123

(Ayah 123) ➊ {يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا قَاتِلُوا الَّذِيْنَ يَلُوْنَكُمْ مِّنَ الْكُفَّارِ:} That is, among the disbelievers, those who are closest to you, fight them first; after including them in the Islamic domain, then fight those who are farther than them, because in every matter, the easiest and best course is considered first. In fighting those who border your territory, there is no need for many mounts, nor much expenditure, nor the hardship of long journeys, nor much effort and resources to stay informed about their conditions, because you are well aware of their locations, their centers of strength, and their weaknesses. Then, in fighting a distant enemy, the risk of an enemy attack from behind on your own country or internal discord remains, but in war with those nearby, this will not be the case; rather, your rear will remain secure. Indeed, the command is to fight all the polytheists, as He said: «{ وَ قَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ كَآفَّةً }» [ التوبۃ : ۳۶ ] but it is necessary to observe the order. The same order applies in invitation (to Islam): first the household, then the family, then the tribe, then the city, then one's own country, then the whole world; and the same order applies in jihad, because jihad is also a part of invitation. Accordingly, the Prophet (peace be upon him) first fought his own tribe, Quraysh, then other tribes of the Arabian Peninsula, then Banu Qurayza and Banu Nadir, then the People of the Book of Khaybar and Fadak who were around Madinah, then Makkah was conquered, and then Yemen and Bahrain, until the entire Arabian Peninsula became Muslim. When he was finished with them, he set out on the expedition of Tabuk to fight the Christians of Syria. This same order was observed after him by Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), Umar al-Faruq, the martyr of the mihrab (may Allah be pleased with him), and other caliphs. Thus, in their time, first Syria and Iraq and Persia were conquered, then Egypt, then to the east India, Khurasan, Kashghar (China), and to the west Africa, Andalus, and France; in short, the banner of Islam began to wave from east to west. And all praise is due to Allah! May Allah grant Muslims once again the ability, through jihad, to end the dominance of the disbelievers and to make His religion prevail in their present countries and throughout the world. (Ameen)

➋ {وَ لْيَجِدُوْا فِيْكُمْ غِلْظَةً:} It is necessary that when you attack, its intensity should be clearly felt by the disbelievers, and if ever they make the mistake of attacking, they should not find any leniency or weakness anywhere in response. For the perfection of faith is to be gentle with the Muslim brother and harsh with the disbelievers, as Allah has described the quality of the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them): «{ اَشِدَّآءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَيْنَهُمْ }» [الفتح : ۲۹ ] "Severe against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves." And He described the attribute of the Mujahideen: «{ اَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ اَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى الْكٰفِرِيْنَ }» [ المائدۃ : ۵۴ ] "They are gentle with the believers, harsh with the disbelievers."

➌ { وَ اعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِيْنَ:} This has been witnessed throughout the entire history of Islam. When the caliphs, kings, leaders, and common people of the Muslims were righteous, Allah's special company and help was with them, and victory kissed their feet everywhere. And when they became oppressors or sinners, and were engaged in luxury or mutual fighting, Allah's help was withdrawn and the enemy took over their lands. Even now, if Allah's company, support, and help are to be attained, it will only be through righteousness, never merely through scientific advancement or large numbers.