Surah 9:42
Show Full Scripture Context (9:42) — 1 Verse
لَوۡ كَانَ عَرَضٗا قَرِيبٗا وَسَفَرٗا قَاصِدٗا لَّٱتَّبَعُوكَ وَلَٰكِنۢ بَعُدَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلشُّقَّةُۚ وَسَيَحۡلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَوِ ٱسۡتَطَعۡنَا لَخَرَجۡنَا مَعَكُمۡ يُهۡلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ إِنَّهُمۡ لَكَٰذِبُونَ
If it were (some fleeting) gain near (at hand), and an easy journey, they would indeed have followed you, but the distance is (too) far for them. (Still) they will swear by God, ‘If we had been able, we would indeed have gone out with you.’ (In this way) they destroy themselves. But God knows: ‘Surely they are liars indeed!
Allah admonishes those who lagged behind and did not join the Prophet for the battle of Tabuk, those who asked the Prophet for permission to remain behind, falsely pretending to have legitimate reasons to do so,
4 Had it been a near gain}, booty right in front of them, according to Ibn ‘Abbas,
iand an easy journey}, travel for only a short distance,
ithey would have follmved you.} But,
ithe distance was long for them}, to Ash-Sham,
iand they would swear by Allah}, when you return to them,
ilf we only could, we would certainly have come forth with you}, had not there been a valid excuse, we would have gone out with you,
iThey destroy themselves, and Allah knows that they are liars.}
— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Vol. 4, Page 436)