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“In what circumstances were you?” They replied: “We were too weak and helpless in the land.” The angels said: “Was not the earth of Allah wide enough for you to emigrate in it?” For such persons their refuge is Hell – an evil desti- nation indeed; (98) except the men, women, and children who were indeed too feeble to be able to seek the means of escape and did not know where to go – (99) maybe Allah shall pardon these, for Allah is All-Pardoning, Most Forgiving. (100) He who emigrates in the Way of Allah will find in the earth enough room for refuge and plentiful resources. And he who goes forth from his house as a migrant in the way of Allah and His Messenger, and whom death overtakes, his reward becomes incumbent on Allah. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate.71
71 It should be understood clearly that it is only permissible for a person who believes in the True Faith enjoined by God to live under the dominance of an un- Islamic system on one of the following conditions. First, that the believer strives to put an end to the hegemony of the un-Islamic system and to have it replaced by the Islamic system of life, as the Prophets and their early followers did. Second, that he stays in a land where an un-Islamic system prevails because of his inability to depart from that land, but he is utterly unhappy at living under such a system.
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Al-Nisa’ 4: 101–2
(101) When you go forth journeying in the land, there is no blame on you if you shorten the Prayer,72 (especially) if you fear that the unbelievers might cause you harm. Surely the unbelievers are your open enemies.
(102) (O Messenger), if you are among the believers and rise (in the state of war) to lead the Prayer for them, let a party of them stand with you to worship, keeping their arms. When they have performed their prostration, let them go behind you, and let another party who have not prayed, pray with you, remaining on guard and keeping their arms,73 for the unbelievers love to see you heedless of your arms and your baggage so that they might swoop upon you in a surprise attack. ▶
72 Shortening the Prayer (qasr) while travelling in peace-time consists of praying two rak[at at those appointed times when one is normally required to pray four rak[at. The form of qasr during the state of war has not been specified. Prayers should, therefore, be performed as circumstances permit.
73 This injunction regarding Prayer in the state of either fear or insecurity (khawf) refers to the condition when an enemy attack is anticipated, but the fighting has not yet begun.
186
Al-Nisa’ 4: 103–6
But there shall be no blame upon you if you were to lay aside your arms if you are either troubled by rain or are sick; but remain on guard. Surely Allah has prepared a humiliating chastisement for the unbelievers. (103) When you have finished the Prayer, remember Allah – standing, and sitting, and reclining. And when you become secure, perform the regular Prayer. Prayer is enjoined upon the believers at stated times.
(104) Do not be faint of heart in pursuing these people: if you happen to suffer harm they too are suffering just as you are, while you may hope from Allah what they cannot hope for. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
(105) (O Messenger), We have revealed to you this Book with the Truth so that you may judge between people in accordance with what Allah has shown you. So do not dispute on behalf of the dishonest, (106) and seek forgiveness from Allah. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, All- Compassionate. ▶
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Al-Nisa’ 4: 107–12
(107) Do not plead for those who are dishonest to them- selves; 74 Allah does not love him who betrays trust and persists in sin. (108) They can hide (their deeds) from humans, but they cannot hide (them) from Allah for He is with them even when they hold nightly counsels that are unpleasing to Allah. Allah encompasses all their doings. (109) You pleaded on their behalf in this worldly life but who will plead with Allah on their behalf on the Day of Resurrection, or who will be their defender there? (110) He who does either evil or wrongs himself, and then asks for Allah’s forgiveness, will find Allah All-Forgiving, All- Compassionate. (111) He who commits a sin, commits it only to his detriment. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (112) But he who commits either a fault or a sin, and then casts it upon an innocent person, lays upon himself the burden of a false charge and a flagrant sin.
74 Whoever commits a breach of trust with others in fact commits first a breach of trust with his own self.
188
Al-Nisa’ 4: 113–15
(113) (O Messenger), but for Allah’s favour and mercy upon you, a party of them had resolved to mislead you, yet they only misled themselves, and could not have harmed you in any way.75 Allah revealed to you the Book and Wisdom, and He taught you what you knew not. Great indeed has been Allah’s favour upon you.
(114) Most of their secret conferrings are devoid of good, unless one secretly enjoins charity, good deeds, and setting the affairs of men right. We shall grant whoever does that seeking to please Allah a great reward. (115) As for him who sets himself against the Messenger and follows a path other than that of the believers even after true guidance had become clear to him, ▶
75 Even if some people succeeded in their design to obtain from the Prophet (peace be on him) a wrong judgement in their favour by presenting a false account of facts, the real loss would have been theirs rather than the Prophet’s (peace be on him). For the real culprits in the sight of God are the perpetrators of that fraud and not the Prophet (peace be on him). Whoever obtains a judgement in his favour by tricking the courts deludes himself into believing that by such tricks he can bring right to his side; right remains with its true claimant notwithstanding the judgements that might be obtained by fraud and deception.
189
Al-Nisa’ 4: 116–19
We will let him go to the way he has turned to, and We will cast him into Hell – an evil destination.
(116) Truly it is only associat- ing others with Allah in His Divinity that Allah does not forgive, and forgives anything besides that to whomsoever He wills. Whoever associates others with Allah in His Divinity has indeed strayed far away. (117) Rather than call upon Him, they call upon goddesses, and call upon a rebellious Satan76 (118) upon whom Allah has laid His curse. He said (to Allah): “I will take to myself an appointed portion of Your servants77 (119) and shall lead them astray, and shall engross them
