Islam Guidance

Verse94

(94) يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ وَلاَ تَقُولُواْ لِمَنْ أَلْقَى إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلاَمَ

لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ الْحَيوةِ الدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ اللّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ كَذَلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ اللّهُ

عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

94. " O you who have Faith! When you go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, make investigation, and do not say to the one who offers you peace: ' You are not a believer,' seeking the goods of this world's life! But, with Allah are abundant spoils. You, too, were such before, then Allah conferred (His) grace on you; therefore make investigation. Verily Allah is aware of what you do."
Occasion of Revelation:
It has been recorded that, after returning from the Battle of Kheybar, the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) sent 'Asamat-ibn-Ziyd, accompanied with some Muslims, toward the Jews who were living in a village in the region of Fadak in order that they invited them either to Islam or to submitting to the conditions of protective covenent.
One of the Jews named "Murdas" who had been informed of the movement of the forces of Islam toward that place, hasted forth to receive the Muslims while he was shouting confessing the Unity of Allah and the prophethood of the Messenger (p.b.u.h.).

'Asamat-ibn-Ziyd thought that the Jewish man was confessing Islam for the fear of his life and for the protection of his wealth, and he was not really a Muslim. Then he attacked him and killed him.
When the news of it reached the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), he became very inconvinient of it and told 'Asamah that he had killed a Muslim. 'Asamah felt sad and said that that mam confessed Islam for the fear of his life and for the protection of his wealth. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) told him that he ('Asamah) did not know his inside intention. He (the Jew) might become truely a Muslim. At that moment the verse was revealed.
Commentary:
There is a precautious insytruction mentioned in this verse in order to protect the life of the sinless persons who may be only accused. The verse says:
" O you who have Faith! When you go forth (to fight) in the way of Allah, make investigation, and do not say to the one who offers you peace: ' You are not a believer,'..."
Then it adds that you should be aware not to accuse some persons who express Islam as the enemies of Muslims and not to kill them for the sake of some fleeting bounties of this world and taking their properties in the form of booties. It says:
"...seeking the goods of this world's life!..."
Avoid it when the eternal worthy spoils are with Allah. It says:
"... But, with Allah are abundant spoils..."
Yes, in the past, the situation was like that and at the Age of Ignorance, they had the motive of plunder.
"...You, too, were such before,..."
But, now, under the light of Islam and for that Allah has conferred His grace on you and rilieved you from that status, you should be grateful for this bounty and it is to you to investigate in affairs. It says:
"...therefore make investigation..."
And do know that Allah is aware of your deeds and intentions.
"...Verily Allah is aware of what you do."
Struggle is a general rule in the world of creation. All creatures of the world, irrespective of plants and animals, remove their barriers from their way by struggle, so that they can reach the virtues of their own ideals.
It should be noted, of course, that in addition to the defensive, and sometimes attacking, wars, 'Jihad' (Struggle) envelops the scientifical, economical, cultural and political struggles, too.

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