Surah 2:154
Show Full Scripture Context (2:153-154) — 2 Verses
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
You who believe! Seek help in patience and prayer. Surely God is with the patient.
وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَن يُقۡتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمۡوَٰتُۢۚ بَلۡ أَحۡيَآءٞ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَشۡعُرُونَ
Do not say of anyone who is killed in the way of God, ‘(They are) dead.’ No! (They are) alive, but you do not realize (it).
"154. And say not of those who are killed in the way of Allah, "They are dead." Nay, they are living, but you perceive (it) not."
After Allah commanded that He be appreciated, He ordained patience and prayer. It is a fact that the servant is either enjoying a bounty that he should be thankful for, or suffering a calamity that he should meet with patience. A Hadith states:
"Amazing is the believer, for whatever Allah decrees for him, it is better for him! If he is tested with a bounty, he is grateful for it and this is better for him; and if he is afflicted with a hardship, he is patient with it and this is better for him."
Allah has stated that the best tools to help ease the effects of the afflictions are patience and prayer. Earlier we mentioned Allah's statement:
{And seek help in patience and As-Salah (the prayer) and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khashi'in i.e., the true believers in Allah]} [(2:45)
There are several types of Sabr — patience: one for avoiding the prohibitions and sins, one for acts of worship and obedience. The second type carries more rewards than the first type. There is a third type of patience required in the face of the afflictions and hardships, which is mandatory, like repentance.
'Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, "Sabr has two parts: patience for the sake of Allah concerning what He is pleased with (i.e., acts of worship and obedience), even if it is hard on the heart and the body, and patience when avoiding what He dislikes, even if it is desired. Those who acquire these qualities will be among the patient persons whom Allah shall greet (when they meet Him in the Hereafter; refer to Surat Al-Ahzab (33:44)), Allah willing."
The Life enjoyed by Martyrs
Allah's statement:
{And say not of those who are killed in the way of Allah, "They are dead." Nay, they are living} indicates that the martyrs are alive and receiving their sustenance.
Muslim reported in his Sahih:
"The souls of the martyrs are inside green birds and move about in Paradise wherever they wish. Then, they take refuge in lamps that are hanging under the Throne (of Allah). Your Lord looked at them and asked them, "What do you wish for?' They said, 'What more could we wish for while You have favored us with what You have not favored any other of your creation?' He repeated the question again. When they realize that they will be asked (until they answer), they said, "We wish that You send
— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Vol. 1, Page 442-443)