they die and thereby become certain. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Regarding the words of the Exalted: “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth...” to the end of the verse: Muhammad ibn Kab al-Qurazi said: When the Ansar pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, on the night of al-Aqabah 165/A in Mecca, and they were seventy men, Abdullah ibn Rawahah said, “O Messenger of Allah, stipulate for your Lord and for yourself whatever you wish.”

He said, “For my Lord, exalted is He, I stipulate that you worship Him and do not associate anything with Him. And for myself I stipulate that you protect me from that from which you protect yourselves and your wealth.”

They said, “If we do that, what shall we have?”

He said, “Paradise.” They said, “What a profitable bargain! We shall neither rescind it nor seek to rescind it.” (1) Thereupon the following was revealed: “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth in exchange for Paradise.” (2)

Al-Amash read: “in exchange for Paradise.”

“They fight in the way of Allah, killing and being killed.” Hamzah and al-Kisai read it, “they are killed and they kill,” placing the passive verb before the active one; that is, some of them kill one another, and those who remain continue to kill. The others read it with the active verb preceding the passive one. “A promise binding upon Him”: that is, the reward of Paradise is a promise and a binding right for them. “In the Torah, the Gospel, and the Quran”: meaning that Allah, exalted is He, promised them this promise and made it clear in these Books. It has also been said (3) that this indicates that the followers of all religious communities were commanded to strive in battle for the reward of Paradise.

Then He congratulated them, saying: “And who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice”—that is, be glad—“in the bargain you have made. That is the supreme triumph.” Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Allah has entered into a transaction with you and made both sides of the bargain yours.”

Qatadah said: “Allah bargained with them and paid them dearly.” (4)

Al-Hasan said: “Listen to a profitable transaction by which Allah has dealt with every believer.” It is also related from him that he said: “Allah has given you this world, so purchase Paradise with a portion of it.”

Then He described them, saying: “Those who repent.” Al-Farra said: It is introduced in the nominative as a new statement, because the verse has been completed and the speech has come to an end. And