Day 99 · Surah At-Taubah Verses 14-20

At-Taubah 14–20

The purposes of the legislation of fighting are explained, then four characteristics of those worthy to maintain the mosque are mentioned, and affirmation that faith, migration, and jihad are not equivalent to merely providing water to pilgrims.

• Fighting is said to be a way of humiliating the disbelievers, helping and relieving the hearts of believers, and also a means of preaching so they repent and enter Islam.
• Those worthy to maintain the Sacred Mosque and other mosques are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and do not commit polytheism that nullifies deeds.
• The next condition is establishing the five obligatory prayers, especially in congregation for men, and paying zakat and social responsibilities.
• The final condition is not to fear anyone except Allah, because maintaining the mosque often faces those who spread negative issues.
• Faith, migration, and jihad in the way of Allah are stated to have rewards not comparable to merely providing water to pilgrims, because these three are the path to achieving the highest ranks in the sight of Allah.

Verses 14-16 continue the previous verses regarding fighting in the way of Allah and explain the purposes for which fighting and jihad are legislated. Among them:

1. Allah wants to punish and humiliate the disbelievers through the hands of believers.
2. Allah wants to help the believers by giving them victory and relieving their hearts and removing anger from the hearts of believers.
3. Allah wants to make fighting and jihad a means of preaching so that the disbelievers repent to Allah and enter Islam properly.

Verses 17 and 18 explain the criteria of those worthy to maintain the Sacred Mosque, including other mosques:

1. Believing in Allah and the Last Day and not associating partners with Allah with anything or anyone, because polytheism nullifies all good deeds and its doers will be inhabitants of the Fire and they will dwell therein forever.
2. Establishing prayer, which is the five obligatory prayers performed in congregation at the mosque, especially for male believers.
3. Paying the obligation of zakat and other social responsibilities.
4. Not fearing anyone except Allah, because in maintaining the mosque there will surely be hypocrites who disagree, spreading negative issues and engaging in various counterproductive activities with the mosque administrators. Therefore, a strong mind is needed to face them. The key is that fear is only of Allah. If a believer possesses these four characteristics, then he is among those guided by Allah.

Whereas verses 19 and 20 explain that faith, migration, and jihad in the way of Allah do not have the same reward as merely providing water to pilgrims, because these three are the path to achieving the highest ranks in the sight of Allah and also the way to achieving the glory of Islam, the Muslim community, and preserving the existence of their country for all time.

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