They Will Spend, and It Will Be a Grief to Them

These next verses are ones we must always keep in mind; they begin at verse 36.

When a man sees these wars in Muslim countries, the aggression against Muslim countries, people dying, the condition of things there — as human beings, people are much distressed by it. And they should be. People even begin to feel despondent and without hope. These verses are great givers of hope: verses 36 and 37.

Allah says inna alladhīna kafarū yunfiqūna amwālahum li-yaṣuddū ʿan sabīlillāh: those who disbelieve will spend their wealth to turn people from the path of Allah. There are certain wars that have taken place, even lately, in which the people attacked had nothing whatever to do with the eleventh of September — Afghanistan, for instance. The only reason for attacking there is either the resources, or, larger still, that they wish to prevent any strong force of Islam anywhere. People make mistakes, certainly; Muslims make mistakes. But one of the reasons they combine, apart from the resources, is simply to keep any Muslim place from becoming strong — unless it becomes an ally of some kind.

They will spend their wealth, then, to turn people from the path of Allah. Fa-sa-yunfiqūnahā: then they will spend it again shortly. Thumma takūnu ʿalayhim ḥasrah: but in the end — and this may take time, it may take years or decades — it will be a source of grief and loss to them. Then they will be overcome. Wa-lladhīna kafarū ilā jahannama yuḥsharūn: and in the Hereafter they will be gathered to the Fire in any case.

And why does Allah allow all of this to happen? It is said here: li-yamīza Allāhu al-khabītha mina al-ṭayyib. Allah would separate the bad from the good: those who do good and who suffer, and must bear it and be patient. Wa yajʿala al-khabītha baʿḍahu ʿalā baʿḍ: and He would heap all the evil one upon another, fa-yarkumahu jamīʿan fa-yajʿalahu fī jahannam: gather it all together and put it into the Fire. These are the people of loss.

The last verse here, to close: wa in tawallaw fa-ʿlamū anna Allāha mawlākum, niʿma al-mawlā wa niʿma al-naṣīr. If they refuse, if they turn back and turn away, then know — the Prophet (peace be upon him) is being told, and we are told — that Allah is your mawlā. Allah is the best patron; Allah is the One who looks after you. Niʿma al-mawlā: He is the best of patrons. Wa niʿma al-naṣīr: and He is the best of helpers. So let our faith with Allah (swt) be reaffirmed.