At-Tawba 9:121 · The Repentance · Arabic, translation, recitation

Other English translations

Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+

"if they spend a little or a lot for God’s cause, if they traverse a mountain pass, all this is recorded to their credit so that God can reward them in accordance with the best of their deeds."

Pickthall (classic)+

"Nor spend they any spending, small or great, nor do they cross a valley, but it is recorded for them, that Allah may repay them the best of what they used to do."

Yusuf Ali (classic)+

"Nor could they spend anything (for the cause) - small or great- nor cut across a valley, but the deed is inscribed to their credit: that Allah may requite their deed with the best (possible reward)."

Tafsīr · classical commentary

Ibn Kathir

Abridged English, public domain

وَلاَ يُنفِقُونَ

(Neithr do they spend), in reference to the fighters in Allah's cause,

نَفَقَةً صَغِيرَةً وَلاَ كَبِيرَةً

(any contribution -- small or great --), with regards to its amount,

وَلاَ يَقْطَعُونَ وَادِيًا

(nor cross a valley), while marching towards the enemy,

إِلاَّ كُتِبَ لَهُمْ

(but is written to their credit), for these actions that they take and which are under their control,

لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ

(that Allah may recompense them with the best of what they used to do.) Certainly, the Leader of the faithful, `Uthman bin `Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, acquired a tremendous share of the virtues mentioned in this honorable Ayah. He spent large amounts and tremendous wealth on this battle (Tabuk). Abdullah, the son of Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdur-Rahman bin Khabbab As-Sulami said; "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave a speech in which he encouraged spending on the army of distress (for Tabuk). I`Uthman bin `Affan, may Allah be pleased with him said; `I will give one hundred camels with their saddles and supplies.' Then he exhorted them some more. So `Uthman said; `I will give one hundred more camels with their saddles and supplies.' Then he descended one step of the Minbar and exhorted them some more. So `Uthman bin `Affan said; `I will give one hundred more camels with their saddles and supplies.' Then I saw Allah's Messenger ﷺ with his hand moving like this - and `Abdus-Samad's one of the narrators hand went out like one in amazement - he said,

«مَا عَلَى عُثْمَانَ مَا عَمِلَ بَعْدَ هَذَا»

(It does not matter what `Uthman does after. ) It is also recorded in the Musnad that `Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah said, "`Uthman brought a thousand Dinars in his garment so that the Prophet could prepare supplies for the army of distress. `Uthman poured the money on the Prophet's lap, and the Prophet started turning it around with his hand and declaring repeatedly,

«مَا ضَرَّ ابْنَ عَفَّانٍ مَا عَمِلَ بَعْدَ الْيَوْم»

(The son of `Affan (i.e., `Uthman) will never be harmed by anything he does after today.)" Qatadah commented on Allah's statement,

وَلاَ يَقْطَعُونَ وَادِيًا إِلاَّ كُتِبَ لَهُمْ

(nor cross a valley, but is written to their credit), "The farther any people march forth away from their families in the cause of Allah, the nearer they will be to Allah."

Tafsir Saʿdi

English translation, public domain

Пожертвования на пути Аллаха и участие в военных походах относятся к праведным поступкам, за которые мусульмане получат вознаграждение, которое намного превзойдет то, что они совершили, если они совершили их искренне ради Всевышнего Аллаха. Этот и предыдущий аяты призывают мусульман участвовать в джихаде и надеяться на вознаграждение за любые трудности, с которыми им придется столкнуться на этом пути, поскольку именно благодаря этому они смогут добраться до великих высот. Из этих аятов также следует, что человек получает огромное вознаграждения даже за последствия своих праведных деяний.

Maʿārif al-Qur'ān

Mufti Shafi Usmani, English

Commentary

The two verses cited above admonish those who missed to join the expedition of Tabuk for no valid reason. They have also been told that they did what was not proper. Then the verses describe the merits of people who take part in Jihad and tell us about the great rewards they get for everything they do there. Included here is the causing of hurt or loss to the enemy and the using of a strategy that infuriates the adversary. All these are good deeds, and worthy of thawab (reward from Allah).

Tafsīr sourced from quran.com's open API. These are classical commentaries; for personal rulings consult a qualified scholar.