(from verses 34–35).
Everything in the Qur’an that commands giving and spending, and that rebukes those who withhold, is in fact a condemnation of miserliness. Likewise, the Qur’an contains many passages that censure cowardice, such as His words:
“Whoever turns his back to them on that day—unless it be to make a tactical maneuver or to join another company—has incurred the wrath of Allah, and his refuge is Hell; what an evil destination!” [Al-Anfal: 16] (Surah al-Anfal, verse 16).
And His words about the hypocrites:
“They swear by Allah that they are indeed part of you, yet they are not of you; they are a people filled with fear. If they could find a shelter, or some caves, or any place to slip into, they would bolt for it headlong.” [Al-Tawbah: 56–57] (Surah al-Tawbah, verses 56–57).
And His statement:
“When a decisive surah is sent down and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those in whose hearts is a sickness looking at you as one fainting at the approach of death.” [Muhammad: 20] (Surah Muhammad, part of verse 20).
And His saying:
“Have you not seen those who were told, ‘Hold back your hands, perform the prayer, and give zakah’? But when fighting was prescribed for them, a group of them feared people as they should fear Allah—or even more. They said, ‘Our Lord, why have You ordained fighting for us? If only You would defer us to a near term!’ Say, ‘The enjoyment of this world is little, whereas the Hereafter is better for anyone who is mindful of Allah, and you will not be wronged even by a thread inside a date stone.’” [Al-Nisaʾ: 77] (Surah al-Nisaʾ, verse 77).
Every passage in the Qur’an that urges jihad, encourages it, and censures those who shrink from or abandon it is therefore a rebuke of cowardice. Because the soundness of the Children of Adam—in both their religious and worldly affairs—cannot be achieved without courage and generosity, the Exalted One made clear that whoever turns away from striving in His cause with his own person will be replaced by another people who will carry it out. Thus He said: