or into caves, or even any crevice to squeeze into, they would turn and bolt toward it in head-long flight” (at-Tawbah 9:56–57).

Thus the Exalted One informs us that, although they swear they belong to the believers, they are nothing of the sort. Instead, they are panic-stricken before the enemy, so that “if they could but find a refuge” they would hasten to it—such as (1) the fortresses and strongholds to which those who abandon jihad flee—“or caves,” the plural of maghārah (2), so called because the one who enters them sinks from sight, just as water sinks away; “or a hole to creep into,” a place that can be entered only with effort, either because its mouth is narrow or for some other (3) reason—any spot they can crawl into (4) even if getting inside requires toilsome exertion. “They would turn” away from jihad “toward it while rushing headlong,” that is, they would speed off with nothing to stop them, like an unruly horse that refuses the rein.

This description applies perfectly to many people involved in our present affair, and to many events before it and after it.

Likewise, He said in Sūrat Muḥammad ﷺ: “When a decisive sūrah is sent down and fighting is mentioned therein, you see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at you with the look of one fainting unto death—so away with them (5)! Obedience and seemly speech [were due]; but when the matter is resolved, if…” (Muḥammad 47:20–21).