they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them.” (Muḥammad 47:20–21)

The Exalted One also says: “True believers are only those who have faith in Allah and His Messenger, then entertain no doubt, and who strive with their wealth and their lives in the path of Allah—such people are the truthful.” (al-Ḥujurāt 49:15) Thus He restricts the name “believer” to the one who both believes and strives.

And He says: “Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day do not ask your leave to be exempt from striving with their wealth and their lives; Allah knows well the God-fearing. It is only those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, and whose hearts are filled with doubt, who ask your leave; in their doubt they keep wavering.” (at-Tawbah 9:44–45)

This is a declaration from Allah that a believer does not request the Messenger’s permission to abandon jihad; only one who lacks faith does so. What, then, of the person who abandons it without asking at all? Whoever reflects on the Quran will find many verses corroborating this meaning.

Regarding their stinginess He said: “Nothing prevents that their expenditures be accepted except that they disbelieve in Allah and His Messenger, that they come to the prayer only sluggishly, and that they spend only while disliking it.” (at-Tawbah 9:54)

Such is the state of someone who gives reluctantly—what, then, of the person who forgoes spending altogether? (1)

And He said: “Among them are those who find fault with you concerning the (distribution of) charity; if they are given a share, they are pleased, but if they receive none, they become enraged.” (at-Tawbah 9:58)