“And there is no victory except from Allah.”

Allah said in another Ayah, “So when you meet those who disbelieve (in battle), strike (their) necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either (confer) favor afterwards or ransom (them) until the war lays down its burdens. That (is the command). And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them (Himself), but (He ordered armed struggle) to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah – never will He waste their deeds. He will guide them and amend their condition and admit them to Paradise, which He has made known to them.” [47:4-6]

 

And, “And these days (of varying conditions) We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe and (may) take to Himself from among you martyrs – and Allah does not like the wrongdoers. And that Allah may purify the believers (through trials) and destroy the disbelievers.” [3:140-141]

 

These are points of wisdom for which Allah has legislated performing jihad, by the hands of the believers against the disbelievers. Allah used to destroy the previous nations that denied the Prophets, using various disasters that encompassed these rebellious nations.

 

For instance, Allah destroyed the people of Nuh with the flood, ‘Aad with the wind, Thamud with the scream, the people of Lut with an earthquake and the people of Shu’ayb by the Day of the Shadow. After Allah sent Musa and destroyed his enemy Fir’awn and his soldiers by drowning, He sent down the Tawrah to him in which He legislated fighting against the disbelievers and this legislation remained in the successive Laws. Allah said, “And indeed We gave Musa – after We had destroyed the generations of old – the Scripture as an enlightenment.” [28:43]

 

It is more humiliating for the disbeliever and more comforting to the hearts of the believers that the believers kill the disbelievers by their own hands. Allah said to the believers of this ummah, “Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands, and disgrace them, and give you victory over them, and heal the breasts of a believing people.” [9:14]

 

This is why killing the disbelievers of Quraysh by the hand of their enemies, whom they used to despise, was more humiliating to the disbelievers and comforting to the hearts of the party of Imaan. Abu Jahl, for example, was killed in battle and this was more humiliating for him than dying on his bed, or from lightening, wind, or similar afflictions. Also, Abu Lahab died from a terrible disease (that caused him to stink) and none of his relatives could bear approaching him. They had to wash hi with water by sprinkling it from a distance, then threw stones over his corpse, until it was buried under them!

 

Allah said next, “Verily, Allah is All-Might,” the might is His, His Messengers and the believers, both in this life and the Hereafter. Allah said in another Ayah, “We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe, in this world’s life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth.” [40:51]. Allah said next, “All-Wise,” in that He legislated fighting the disbeliever, even though He is able to destroy them and bring their demise by His will and power, all praise and honor is due to Him.

[Taken from Tafseer Ibn Katheer, By al-Imaam ibn Katheer]