Day 186 · Surah Al-Hajj Verses 39-46

Al-Hajj 39–46

Permission to fight is given to those who are fought against and expelled because of their faith, with the aim of restraining aggression so places of worship are not destroyed, then the Messenger is comforted with the story of nations before who rejected their messengers.

• The Muslims are permitted to fight against those who fight them and expel them from their land because they affirm that Allah alone is worthy of worship, not for worldly interests.
• Another purpose of the law of fighting is to restrain human aggression so that monasteries, churches, prayer places, and mosques are not destroyed.
• Those given position on earth to protect places of worship are those who establish prayer, give zakat, and enjoin good and forbid evil.
• The Messenger is comforted not to grieve too much over his people's rejection, for the nations of Nuh, Ad, Tsamud, Luth, the people of Madyan, and others also rejected their messengers.
• Those who reject are given respite to repent, but if their disobedience increases punishment comes suddenly so their cities and houses are destroyed and their palaces left empty.

Verses 39-41 explain one way Allah helps the believers is by legislating fighting for them. Allah permits the Muslims to fight (strive) against those who fight them and expel them from their land. Allah determines the reason for fighting is when the Muslims are fought against and expelled from their land because they affirm that only Allah is worthy of worship, not for worldly interests. Another purpose of Allah's legislation regarding fighting is to restrain human aggression so that monasteries, churches, prayer places and mosques are not destroyed. Allah will surely help those who help His religion (Islam), for He is All-Mighty and All-Powerful. Those able to restrain human evil and protect places of worship are the Muslims given position on earth because they establish prayer, give zakat and practice enjoining good and forbidding evil.

Verses 42-46 explain that Allah comforts the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) not to grieve too much over his people's rejection of the Islam presented to them, for the nations of old also rejected their messengers such as the nations of Nuh, Ad, Tsamud, Ibrahim, Luth, the people of Madyan and Musa. Allah gives respite to those nations who reject Allah's messengers so they have a chance to repent. However, if their disobedience increases day by day, Allah will surely send punishment to them suddenly so their cities are destroyed, their houses collapse, their wells and palaces left empty.

All these events should be taken as lessons by mankind in dealing with the Islam brought by Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). If they still cannot take lessons, it means the hearts within their chests are blind. Truly blindness of the heart is more dangerous than blindness of the eyes.

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