ভূমিকা

“And the dwellers of the desert came with their excuses, that permission might be given to them (to stay back), and those who lied to Allah and His Messenger sat (at home).

Soon a painful chastisement shall afflict those of them who disbelieved.”*** Some of those People who did not take part in the Holy Struggle had true excuses for which they obtained leave, while some others did not participated in the Holy Struggle without having any exemption, and the abovementioned chastisement is for the second group. The term /’a‘rāb/, mentioned here, has been applied for some Bedouins who lived in deserts and were far from the city civilization.

However, Holy Struggle is something concerned to Islamic government and it is not a personal affair. That is why both attending in it and leaving it should be done with the permission of the leader of the Muslims. The verse says: “And the dwellers of the desert came with their excuses, that permission might be given to them, (to stay back)…” By the way, those who are heedless to the obligatory rule of Holy Struggle and try to escape from it, are liars in their belief.

They must know that the seekers of exemption, who try to run away from performing their duty, will be punished and a painful chastisement is waiting for them. The verse continues saying: “…and those who lied to Allah and His Messenger sat (at home).

There is no way (to blame) against the good-doers and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” A blind old man came to the Prophet (S) and said: “I have nobody to take my hand and to lead me to the battle-field. I am old and feable. Is my excuse accepted?” The Prophet (S) kept silence for a while until the abovementioned verse was revealed.