4.74 – Whoever fights in the way of God – whether he is killed or conquers – We shall give him a great reward
This passage (vv. 74–76) is one of the most important of the Quran’s statements that Allah rewards fighting. A similar claim comes at 9.119–21.
Verses 74–76 mention fighting “in the way (sabīl) of Allah” four times, using the Arabic verb qātala. When the Quran promises a reward to “whoever fights in the way of Allah,” it also makes a theological statement by claiming that human fighting is Allah’s way. See the analysis of these expressions at 73.20.
Verse 74 is also one of a series of verses that claim that Allah rewards those who die fighting. See the analysis of this quranic idea at 47.4.