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Quran 4:74: How To Interpret Context?
۞ فَلۡیُقَـٰتِلۡ فِی سَبِیلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِینَ یَشۡرُونَ ٱلۡحَیَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡیَا بِٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةِۚ وَمَن یُقَـٰتِلۡ فِی سَبِیلِ ٱللَّهِ فَیُقۡتَلۡ أَوۡ یَغۡلِبۡ فَسَوۡفَ نُؤۡتِیهِ أَجۡرًا عَظِیمࣰا﴿ ٧٤ ﴾
• Dr. Mustafa Khattab:
Let those who would sacrifice this life for the Hereafter fight in the cause of Allah. And whoever fights in Allah’s cause—whether they achieve martyrdom or victory—We will honour them with a great reward.
An-Nisa’, Ayah 74
This looks like an encouragement for those who were in a situation of War at that time.
How do we know that what is instructed strictly in the context it is being talked about and what is instructed for everyone generally till the end of time?
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2 Replies
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Quran 4:74: How To Interpret Context?
updated 2 years, 4 months ago
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Every verse of Quran is primarily specific to that time. It is sometimes universality of the message and commonality of the directive (illat) which if present in today’s time, will be considered applicable today as well.
The “Cause of Allah” as mentioned in this verse is not something time-bound, rather it was there at the time of the Prophet (SWS) and will be there till Qiyamah. Therefore, whoever fights for the cause of Allah and dies while fighting for that cause, this gladtiding is for every such person. The only difference is that during the time of Rasul (sws) there remains no ambiguity to the cause because of Rasul’s (SWS) direct supervision, but in today’s time, it will depend on one’s honest ijtihad.
Please also refer to responses of Ghamidi Sahab available under the heading “Quran verses having Specific (Time-bound) Meanings/Applications Vs. General Meanings/Applications“in the following response:
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Injunctions are generalised for the cause they are initiated for can be general cause the nature of the injunction which could be generalised.
That if there comes a need to protect religion (the way of Allah), for example a power fight Muslims to disband Islam or persecute people for their faith, the Muslims are supposed to fight it.
To fight needs justified cause and these are two: to raise the word of God and to fight against persecution.
The prerequisite of jihad is organised effort under a government.
When cause and prerequisites are fulfilled it becomes duty of the Muslims to do jihad.
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