Surah 3:167

"and that He might know those who played the hypocrite. It was said to them, ‘Come, fight in the way of God, or defend!’ But they said, ‘If we knew (how) to fight, we would indeed follow you.’ They were nearer to disbelief that day than to belief. They were saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. But God knows what they were concealing –"

Christian Footnotes (1)Islamic Commentaries (1)Manuscripts (52)

3.167 – It was said to them, “Come, fight in the way of Allah, or defend!”
The command to “fight! (qātilū)” gives the reader an indication of what is going on in this long and context-less passage (vv. 121–80). The hypocrites are commanded to fight but make the excuse that they do not know how. This command joins twelve direct commands to fight in the Quran. Here the enemy and the limits of the hostilities are unclear, but verse 166 gives a reason for the fighting: that Allah might test them and reveal the true believers.
Commanding the people to fight “in the way (sabīl) of Allah” makes a theological claim by associating Allah with human fighting. See the analysis of these expressions at 73.20.

- from The Quran with Christian Commentary: A Guide to Understanding the Scripture of Islam

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