And He likewise says:

“Allah has decreed, ‘I and My messengers shall surely prevail; Allah is Powerful, Almighty.’” (al-Mujādilah 21)

And He says:

“Indeed, Our hosts will most certainly be the victors.” (al-Ṣāffāt 173)

Because enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and striving in Allah’s cause involve trials and hardships that may expose a person to temptation, some people excuse their abandonment of these obligations by claiming that they only wish to spare themselves from fitnah (temptation and turmoil). Allah says about the hypocrites:

“Among them are those who say, ‘Grant me leave and do not expose me to temptation.’ Yet surely they have already fallen into temptation.” (al-Tawbah 49)

The commentators relate that this verse was revealed concerning al-Jadd ibn Qays when the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—ordered him to prepare for the campaign against the Romans. (It is reported that the Prophet said to him, “Would you like to meet the women of the Banū al-Aṣfar?”) Al-Jadd replied, “O Messenger of Allah, I am a man who cannot restrain himself around women, and I fear falling into fitnah with the women of the Banū al-Aṣfar. Grant me leave and do not test me.”

This same al-Jadd stayed away from the Pledge of Riḍwān beneath the tree and hid behind a red camel. Concerning him the ḥadith states: “All of them are forgiven except the owner of the red camel.” It was about him that Allah revealed: “Among them are those who say, ‘Grant me leave and do not expose me to temptation.’ Yet surely they have already fallen into temptation.” (al-Tawbah 49)

In other words, he sought to remain behind so that he would be safe from the fitnah of women and would not be tempted by them—otherwise he would have had to guard himself from the prohibited and struggle against his own soul, suffering thereby, or else commit the forbidden act and incur sin. For whoever beholds beautiful forms and is captivated by them, if he cannot reach them