Towards understanding[Surah Al Hajj 22:39-40] / [Surah Al Baqarah 2:251]

Towards understanding[Surah Al Hajj 22:39-40] / [Surah Al Baqarah 2:251]

Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem

" To those against whom war is made,permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged- and verily, ALLAH is Most Powerful for their aid - (They sre ) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right - (For no cause ) except that they say, "Our Lord is ALLAH". Did not ALLAH check one set of people by means of another there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, in which the name of ALLAH is commemorated in abundant measure. ALLAH will certainly aid those who aid His (cause)-for verily ALLAH is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (Able to enforce His Will)."
[Surah Al Hajj 22:39-40]

Several translators have failed to notice that in the best-approved texts is in the passive voice, "against whom war is made" - not " who take arms against the unbelievers" as Sale translates it. The clause "and verily. ..their aid" is parenthetical. Verse 40 connects on with "they are wronged". The wrong is indicated: 'driven by persecution from their home, for no other reason than that they worshipped the One True God'. This was the first occasion on which fighting - in self-defense - was permitted. This passage therefore undoubtedly dates from Madinah.

In 2:251, where the expression is used in connection with David's fight against the Philistines. To allows a Righteous people to fight against a ferocious and mischief-loving people was fully justified. But the justification was far greater here, when the little Muslim community was not only fighting for its own existence against the Makkan Quraysh, but for the very existence of the Faith in the One True God.They had as much right to be in Makkah and worship in the Ka'bah as the other Quraysh ; yet they exiled for their Faith. It affected not the faith of one particular people. The principle involved was that of all worship, Jewish or Christian as well as Muslim, and of all foundations built for pious users.

The name of Allah is commemorated in abundance measure. ALLAH will certainly aid those who aid His (cause) - for verily ALLAH is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).

'AZIZ means Exalted in power, rank, dignity; Incomparable; Full of might and majesty ; Able to enforce His will . The last signification is the one that predominates here.

"By ALLAH's will, they routed them: And David slew Goliath: and ALLAH gave him power and wisdom and taught him whatever (else) He willed. And did not ALLAH check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief: but ALLAH is full of bounty to all the worlds. "
[Surah Al Baqarah 2:251]

Note how the whole story is compressed into a few words as regards narration, but its spiritual lessons are dwelt upon from many points of view. The Old Testament is mainly interested in the narrative, which is full of detail, but says little about the universal truths of which every true story is a parable. The Quran assumes the story, but tells the parable.

David was a raw youth, with no arms or armour. He was not known even in the Israelite camp, and the giant Goliath mocked him. Even David's own elder brother chid him for deserting his sheep, for he was a poor shepherd lad to outward appearance, but his faith had made him more than a match for the Philistine hosts. When Saul offered his own armour and arms to David, the young hero declined, as he had not tried them, while his shepherd's sling and staff were his well-tried implements. He picked up five smooth pebbles on the spot from the stream, and used his sling to such effect that he knocked down Goliath. He then used Goliath's own sword to slay him. There was consternation in the Philistine army: they broke and fled, and were pursued and cut to pieces.

Apart from the main lesson that it we would preserve our national existence and our faith it is our duty to fight with courage and firmness, there are other lessons in David's story: (1) numbers do not count, but faith, determination and the blessing of ALLAH (Subhana Wa Ta'la): (2) size and strength are of no avail against truth, courage and careful planning: (3) the hero tries his own weapons, and those that are available to him at the time and place, eventhough people may laugh at him: (4) if ALLAH is with us, the enemies weapon may become an instrument of his own destruction: (5) personally conquers all dangers, and puts heart into our own wavering friends: (6) pure faith bring ALLAH's reward, which may take many forms: in David's case it was Power, Wisdom and other gifts; see next note.

David was not only a shepherd, a warrior, a king, a wise man and a prophet but was also endowed with the gifts of poetry and music.

ALLAH's plan is universal. He loves and peotects all His creatures and His bounties are for all worlds (See 1:2). To protect one He may have to check another, but we must never lose faith that His love is for all in boundless measure.

" Praise be to ALLAH the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds. " [Surah Al Fatihah 1:2]

Ameen!