Condemning Flight from Death
52- Furthermore, Allah has commanded striving in His cause with one’s life and wealth, even though such striving almost inevitably involves killing—and, as a rule, casualties are unavoidable.
The Fifth Verse
53- The Exalted said: “Have you not seen those who were told, ‘Hold back your hands, establish the prayer, and give the zakah’? Yet when fighting was prescribed for them, a group of them feared people … even if they were in well-fortified towers.” ⦗4:77–78⦘
The Sixth Verse
54- He, Most High, also said: “They had already pledged to Allah before never to turn their backs, and a pledge to Allah will be questioned. Say, ‘Fleeing will never benefit you if you flee from death or killing; you would then enjoy life only for a little while.’ Say, ‘Who is there to shield you from Allah if He intends to harm you or intends to show you mercy?’ They will find for themselves no protector and no helper besides Allah.” ⦗33:15–17⦘
55- Thus the Almighty makes clear:
- Fleeing from death or killing is useless; every servant must die in any case. How many have run away only to die or be killed, and how many have stood firm and were not killed.⦗1⦘
- Then He states that even if you were to live on, you would enjoy life for only a short while before dying.
- Finally, He affirms that no one can protect them from Allah—whether He wills mercy or punishment—so fleeing from obedience to Him will never bring deliverance.