Translation
O People of Faith, struggle [fight] against those who are steeped into disbelief, whom you know well (and who fight against truth and justice) and let them find constancy in your stance against them. You should know that God aids those who are conscientious and act responsibly! 454
Any time a new chapter [of the Qur’an] is revealed, some of the deniers say: “Whose faith has been increased by this revelation?” But those who have attained faith already, such revelations certainly enhance their faith further along and they are assured (by such revelations). As for those whose heart is perverse, such revelations only add to their perversity and denial and they approach end of their lives in continued denial. Do they not realize that they are being put to test once or twice every year, yet, they neither change their mind nor become mindful? Any time a new chapter is revealed (exposing them), they look at one another and say: “Does anyone see you?” and then they turn away. God had allowed their hearts to turn away—they are a people who are unwilling to understand and reflect.
Certainly, a Messenger (of God) has come to you, being from your own community. Paramount in his mind is his concern for your wellbeing and that no difficulties comes to you; and for the faithful, he is full of empathy and caring. (Despite such care) if people still turn away, then say: “God alone is sufficient! There is no god but God. I do rely on Him and He is the Command and the Regulator of our world [Lord of the Grand Throne]!” 455
interpretation
454 Taking a strong stance against those who deny God, fight against truth and justice, and are steeped in evil is not only an imperative but is a requirement for those who claim faith and wish to prove their commitment to such faith and ideals. There are clear markers for such denials of faith—whether making mockery of revelations that expose their evils or ask for their alignment with goodness, or abusing faith to commit evils, or engaging in hypocrisy when it comes to demonstrating their faith in God and human goodness. Every generation knows these people well since they are in their own community, in their known circle, and for some they have had intimate knowledge of their hypocrisy. In this age of social media and the wide net of press coverage, it is very difficult to contain the truth about evils and affronts to human dignity, no matter where they happen in the world. The real challenge is not that such evils happen but how the people of faith and goodwill respond to such evils and what is their sense of commitment to fight such evils. The Trump administration poses such a challenge in our country today, and the nature and extent of our response will also define our commitment to truth and justice (i.e., our faith and our common goodness).
455 The nature of prophethood and the stance prophets are required to take, which by implication includes all of us, are eloquently described in this verse. This Prophet (Mohammad) and all prophets of God are fellow human beings who live in the community. They came to guide and thereby make it easier for all of us to observe, learn, walk in their shoes, and follow the path they paved for us. Prophet Mohammad here is described as someone who belonged to the community. His heart and mind were full concern for every member of his community (irrespective of faith), that some evils and harm will fall on them for their own misbehaviors and misadventures. He is full of empathy and care for those who have aided him and aligned with him for faith and goodness. Despite such enormity of his character and the efforts of those who were walking in his footsteps, they are also told that if people are unwilling to listen and unwilling to align with truth and justice, they need to continue to march with firm faith in God, knowing that God (and goodness) is the ultimate source of power and success in this life and the life to come.
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REFLECTION
There should be no compromise between truth and falsehood, good and evil, faith and lack of faith. Yet our world today is witnessing serious conflicts and disharmony from such misalignments in all spheres of our activities—widespread affronts to human dignity, freedom, and safety; ever-widening political corruptions affecting all citizens; large-scale disparity in economic well-being around the globe; dismal environmental stewardship of our planet; and plummeting levels of faith in God and in human goodness.
ACTION
This may be the gravest challenge we face as a generation, and our stance and commitment will determine how we live and how our grandchildren inhabit this planet. Equally important is how our generation will be judged in human history and perhaps more importantly, how each one of us will answer to God when we finally meet Him after resurrection.
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Key Arabic Term
129. a’rshil a’zim (grand seat, throne of power) (9:129)