into the various rulings on migration from the land of unbelief to the land of Islam, and on the migration that was terminated (1) by the Conquest—yet that is but a contingent migration that may never touch his life at all.

By contrast, with this migration that is obligatory for as long as one draws breath, [yet] (2) he acquires neither knowledge [of it] (3) nor resolve. This is only because he has turned away from what he was created for and is busying himself [with what cannot by itself deliver him] (4). Such (5) is the state of one whose inner sight has been veiled and whose understanding of the ranks of knowledge and deeds has grown weak. Allah’s help is sought, and with Him (6) is success. There is no deity but Him and no Lord besides Him.

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As for the migration to the Messenger (7), Allah bless him and grant him peace, it is a landmark (8) of which nothing remains but its outline (9); a path from which the by-lanes have left nothing save its name (10); and a highroad over which the desert winds have blown, erasing its traces, while enemies have swooped down upon it (11).