Thinking about moral obligation - Quran Chapter 8 – 59 (Pt-10, Stg-2) (L-1121) - درس قرآن

Quran Chapter 8 – 59 (Pt-10, Stg-2) (L-1121) - درس قرآن

Thinking about moral obligation

Chapter ‘Anfaal (Spoils of War) – Surah – 8)

‘A-‘uu-zu  Billaahi minash-Shay-taanir- Rajiim. 
(I seek refuge in Allaah from Satan the outcast)

Bis-Millaahir-Rah-maanir-Rahiim.
(In the name of Allaah, the Beneficent, the Merciful)

  وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ سَبَقُوٓا۟ إِنَّهُمْ لَا يُعْجِزُونَ 59

59.  And let not those who disbelieve suppose that they can outstrip (Allah’s Purpose). Lo! they cannot escape.

59.  Wa  laa  yahsa-bannal-laziina  kafaruu  sabaquu.  ‘Innahum  laa  yu’-jizuun.

Commentary

Sabaquu – it is past tense, which aims “were saved”. Sabaqa means “to outstrip, to flit, to flee, to escape”. This word has some more meanings, but here, it aims the same only; as mentioned above.

Yu’-jizuun – (to cause to be wearied, to render helpless and leave behind), the origin of this word is ‘a’-jaaz, which has been derived from ‘ijz. ‘Ijz means “misery, helplessness, humility, submission and weakness etc. ‘A’-jaaz means “to make the opponent helpless at the time of contest. The word mu’-jazah has come out from it also which means marvel, wonder, and a miracle – it means “the thing which makes others helpless”.

It was described in the previous verse that God Almighty does not love any treacherous. So, if any other nation is your enemy and you are sure from signs that they have been going to be prepared to attack over you; and they do not care about a treaty, even then; you must not attack over them due to the signs only, because they are fearless from you due to a treaty.

At first, you should warn them: “You have been going to do against the treaty. Either you should give up doing so; otherwise, we shall attack over you”. Then you both opponents of each other will become equal and your attack over them will not be called improper.

Those people who did not give any significance to ethical values, they considered this act against the wisdom, because the enemy could be defeated easily by making haste. To warn them was just like giving respite for collection of munitions for their safety. The same has been replied in this verse.

It is command that your enemies would have rejoiced that “the Muslims would care about the treaty and before fighting; they would inform them; with whom they made a treaty. Meanwhile, we shall be prepared well and drive the Muslims off by fighting”. You should not care about their pleasure and warn them that they did not stand firm on their treaty.

This is a moral obligation and it is important to think about the moral duty. It will make no harm to you, because the infidels cannot escape; whether they make preparations as much as they can. They cannot outstrip God’s Purpose. However; God Almighty will outstrip and put them down. This instruction is for those people who did not break a treaty openly but it seems from the signs that they are going to be prepared against the treaty.

In the books of History, it has been mentioned that a treaty was made among Amir Mu-‘aawiah (May Allah be pleased with Him) and the Caesar (the emperor of Rome) that mutual war will not be fought for some time. During that period, Amir Mu-‘aawiah (May Allah be pleased with Him) desired to assemble his Army near the border, so that; when the time of treaty is over; a facility might be availed for fighting. One companion of the Messenger (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him), named Amru bin Anbastah (May Allah be pleased with Him) drew His attention towards this verse and He Amir Mu-‘aawiah (May Allah be pleased with Him) abstained forthwith from His plans.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif). https://youtu.be/xgPyI_nIHkw